Willing to Choose
In Genesis 24 we see the perfect picture of the Bride willing to be betrothed to the Bridegroom, called by the Holy Spirit, and sent by the Father through types, with God the Father (Abraham), sending his Servant (The Holy Spirit), for the Son and Bridegroom (Isaac) to find a Bride, the Church (Rebekah). We see clearly that free will acceptance is a major point in this picture with the servant twice questioning what he was to do if she was not willing.
Genesis 24:1-5
Now Abraham was old, advanced in age; and the Lord had blessed Abraham in every way.2 Abraham said to his servant, the oldest of his household, who had charge of all that he owned, “Please place your hand under my thigh,3 and I will make you swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I live,4 but you will go to my country and to my relatives, and take a wife for my son Isaac.”5 The servant said to him, “Suppose the woman is not willing to follow me to this land; should I take your son back to the land from where you came?”
The word for willing in the Hebrew Lexicon is Abah
- H14 – 'abah - ä·vä'
to be willing, consent
Genesis 24:6-9
6 Then Abraham said to him, “Beware that you do not take my son back there!7 The Lord, the God of heaven, who took me from my father’s house and from the land of my birth, and who spoke to me and who swore to me, saying, ‘To your descendants I will give this land,’ He will send His angel before you, and you will take a wife for my son from there.8 But if the woman is not willing to follow you, then you will be free from this my oath; only do not take my son back there.”9 So the servant placed his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and swore to him concerning this matter.
Nowhere do you find that Abraham planned to force or coerce Rebekah to become Isaac’s bride, but rather his Servant offers precious gifts to Rebekah and her family and they call her and consult her wishes. It is then that she is asked to walk with them, and she is willing and agrees to walk with them eventually becoming the bride of Isaac.
Genesis 24:52-59
52 When Abraham’s servant heard their words, he bowed himself to the ground before the Lord. 53 The servant brought out articles of silver and articles of gold, and garments, and gave them to Rebekah; he also gave precious things to her brother and to her mother. 54 Then he and the men who were with him ate and drank and spent the night. When they arose in the morning, he said, “Send me away to my master.” 55 But her brother and her mother said, “Let the girl stay with us a few days, say ten; afterward she may go.” 56 He said to them, “Do not delay me, since the Lord has prospered my way. Send me away that I may go to my master.” 57 And they said, “We will call the girl and consult her wishes.” 58 Then they called Rebekah and said to her, “Will you go with this man?” And she said, “I will go.” 59 Thus they sent away their sister Rebekah and her nurse with Abraham’s servant and his men.
The picture of betrothal and marriage between Isaac (Jesus) and Rebekah (The Church) is 100% conditional on Rebekah being willing to accept the offer. The Scriptures are clear that the LORD expects that man has the ability to choose and follow his will, teachings, and commandments.
Isaiah 1:16-19
16 “Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Remove the evil of your deeds from My sight. Cease to do evil, 17 Learn to do good; Seek justice, Reprove the ruthless, Defend the orphan, Plead for the widow. 18 “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They will be like wool. 19 “If you consent and obey, You will eat the best of the land; 20 “But if you refuse and rebel, You will be devoured by the sword.” Truly, the mouth of the Lord has spoken.
Once again the word translated as Consent in verse Isaiah 1:19 is the Hebrew word Abah H14
Jesus verifies this truth using the Greek word Thelo.
G2309 – thelō - the'-lō - θέλω
to will, have in mind, intend
- to be resolved or determined, to purpose
- to desire, to wish
- to love
to like to do a thing, be fond of doing
- to take delight in, have pleasure
Matthew 23:37
37 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling G2309.
Note: that in the NASB the scriptures translate two words willing and not into one word with the translation of unwilling. The King James translates this more properly with.
Matthew 23:37 KJV
37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!
.
Matthew 16:24
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishesG2309 to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.
John 7:17
17 If anyone is willing G2309 to do His will, he will know of the teaching, whether it is of God or whether I speak from Myself.
Revelation 22:17
17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes G2309 take the water of life without cost.
Jesus offers the same marriage offer to all men.
Matthew 11:28-30
28 “Come to me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Yes, Jesus tells us to take his yoke upon ourselves. Just as Rebekah was offered to be the bride of Jacob. Both his Yoke and his Betrothal are conditional upon our acceptance.