Genesis Chapter 24: Verses 12-14 (NIV UK)
Then he prayed, ‘Lord, God of my master Abraham, make me successful today, and show kindness to my master Abraham. See, I am standing beside this spring, and the daughters of the townspeople are coming out to draw water. May it be that when I say to a young woman, “Please let down your jar that I may have a drink,” and she says, “Drink, and I’ll water your camels too”– let her be the one you have chosen for your servant Isaac. By this I will know that you have shown kindness to my master.’
Genesis Chapter 24: Verses 26-27 (NIV UK)
Then the man bowed down and worshipped the LORD, saying, ‘Praise be to the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who has not abandoned his kindness and faithfulness to my master. As for me, the Lord has led me on the journey to the house of my master’s relatives.’
Genesis Chapter 24: Verses 32-33 (NIV UK)
So the man went to the house, and the camels were unloaded. Straw and fodder were brought for the camels, and water for him and his men to wash their feet. Then food was set before him, but he said, ‘I will not eat until I have told you what I have to say.’
‘Then tell us,’ Laban said.
Genesis Chapter 24: Verses 50-51 (NIV UK)
Laban and Bethuel answered, ‘This is from the Lord; we can say nothing to you one way or the other. Here is Rebekah; take her and go, and let her become the wife of your master’s son, as the Lord has directed.’
We’re not told the name of the senior servant that Abraham sent to choose a wife for Isaac, but Abraham chose the right person. The man prayed to God to ensure he made the right choice. When God answered his prayer, he was quick to acknowledge and give praise to God for that answer. And he was also determined to share how God had answered that prayer. In sharing his story, it confirmed to Rebekah’s father and brother that this was indeed God’s will for Rebekah.
The servant was a very wise and discerning man from whom we can learn much. When we need to make any life changing decisions, we too should seek God’s will on the matter and when He gives us an answer, we need to be equally quick in acknowledging it, and giving thanks to God for His guidance.
When its appropriate we should also be willing to share our story with others. It might just be the encouragement they need for their own life. It might even be the answer to their prayer. We might not know much about Abraham’s servant, but his obedience and testimony were very much part of Issac and Rebekah’s story.
We too might not think we are of any great importance, but our obedience to God, and our willingness to share our story, might make a bigger impact than we can imagine.
Dear Lord,
Thank You for the faithful obedience of Abraham’s servant. Not only was he loyal to Abraham, he was faithful to You. Help me to follow his example, I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.