How do you spend your evenings?

Your answer to the question above may depend on your stage of life. 

Those with young children will certainly have a different “routine” to their evening than someone who is an empty nester, for example.

  • What words below best describe how you spend your evenings?

Relaxing.

Energizing.

Meditative.

Relational.

Entertaining.

Industrious.

Other.

  • Do you have a consistent routine you try to follow in the evening, or do you prefer no routine?
  • What can we learn from a description of Isaac’s evening in Genesis 24:62-63 that will help us with our own evening routines?

Leading up to verse 62, Genesis 24 revealed Abraham’s instructions to his servant to get a wife for Isaac from Abraham’s origin family’s country. (See Gen 24:1-4)

We further learn that the servant’s task is successful. (See Gen 24:42-61)

Scripture does not show whether Abraham informed Isaac of this plan.

Culturally, arranged marriages were typical, so Isaac would not see this as a negative.

Suddenly, Isaac enters the scene of Genesis 24:

62 Now Isaac had returned from Beer-lahai-roi and was dwelling in the Negev. 63 And Isaac went out to meditate in the field toward evening. And he lifted up his eyes and saw, and behold, there were camels coming. (Gen  24:62-63 ESV)

  • What is the meaning of the place called Beer-lahai-roi? (See Gen. 16:3-14)
  • Why is this information in verse 62 important to the story?

Remember, Abraham had insisted that Isaac should not travel with the servant but remain in the territory that was promised to them as an inheritance. (See Genesis 24:6-8)

  • Would you agree Isaac was an obedient son to his earthly father, Abraham? Why or why not?
  • What did Isaac do in verse 63a?

Consider these definitions of the word meditate from Merriam-Webster.com:

intransitive verb

1: to engage in contemplation or reflection. He meditated long and hard before announcing his decision. 

2: to engage in mental exercise (such as concentration on one’s breathing or repetition of a mantra) to reach a heightened level of spiritual awareness 

transitive verb

1: to focus one’s thoughts on: reflect on or ponder over He was meditating his past achievements. 

2: to plan or project in the mind: intend or purpose. He was meditating on revenge. 

  • Which definition above is most likely what Isaac was practicing?
  • Where was Isaac meditating?
  • When was Isaac meditating?

Look up these additional verses about meditation that come later in the Biblical timeline:

Joshua 1:8

  • What is Joshua instructed to meditate upon?
  • When is Joshua to meditate?
  • Is there a reason Joshua should comply? What?
  • What is the benefit or reward of meditating upon God’s word?

Psalm 63:1-8

  • Who wrote this Psalm?
  • Where is David?
  • What has God provided for David?
  • When does David say he meditates or remembers God?

Psalm 77:1-20

  • Who wrote this Psalm?
  • Describe the situation Asaph is experiencing in verses 1-5.
  • When is Asaph meditating or remembering in verse 6?
  • In verses 7-9, what is Asaph needing from God?
  • How does the rest of the Psalm meet Asaph’s needs? 

Psalm 119:15 and 48

  • What is the Psalmist meditating upon? Why?

Psalm 119: 23 and 78

  • Describe what makes the Psalmist different from his adversaries.

Psalm 119:27

  • Describe the benefit of meditating on God’s wondrous works.

Psalm 119:148

  • When is this psalmist meditating?
  • What is this psalmist meditating on?

Psalm 143:1-12

  • Who is the author of this psalm?
  • Describe David’s situation.
  • List everything David meditates upon.
  • When does David expect an answer to his meditation and questions? 
  • Is David concerned about temporal needs, spiritual needs, or both? Explain.

Psalm 145:5

  • List what David says he will meditate upon.

Genesis 24:63 does not tell us what Isaac was meditating upon.

Scripture does not mention Abraham in this passage. Nor God.

We do not know at this point whether Isaac knew Abraham’s servant was about to arrive with a wife to marry.

All we know is that Isaac went out to meditate in the field toward evening.

  • Why does scripture include the few details about Isaac’s whereabouts and this evening practice of meditation in a field?
  • What character traits of Isaac can you describe from these two short verses?
  • What has transpired in Isaac’s life that helped him develop these character traits?
  • How is biblical meditation different from other types of meditation based on the examples from the Psalms?

Personal application:

  • How obedient to your parent (s) have you been? Why or why not?
  • What activities do you engage in when you are alone like Isaac was? Include where you go and when.
  • How often do you practice the biblical meditation described above? Why or why not?
  • Are there any changes you need to make in how you spend your evenings or alone time? Why or why not?
  • What encouraged you from this study?

A prayer for us:

Heavenly Father, thank you for revealing Yourself to us through scripture.

Help us meditate upon your wondrous works as a daily activity in our lives.

Guide us to resist the many temptations available in our world today that distract us from our relationship with you.

Teach us your statues and bring us the joy of your salvation as we ponder anew the answers you provide each new morning to our inquires.

Refresh us each evening that will renew our spirits and encourage our faith.

Enable us to be consistent in our journey, whether we are alone with you or around friends, family, or strangers.

Lift our eyes to you.

Help us see what you are bringing us, just as you did Isaac so long ago.

May your will grow in our hearts and minds as we serve You.

We wait with expectant hearts for your answers to our prayers and mercy for our souls.

Meet us each evening and day, Lord, as we seek to be obedient to your plans for our journey on this earth.

In the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, Amen.

Blessings,

Barbara Lynn

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