Abraham’s servant, guided by God

Genesis 24

Introduction

We come to one of the last stories from the life of Abraham. We learn from the way in which his faithful servant seeks guidance in his search for a bride for Isaac. The story teaches us truths about service, guidance, prayer and God’s will.

The servant in the story is probably Eliezer (Genesis 15:2,3), Abraham’s oldest servant, in charge of the household. He showed the qualities and actions of true service, and is one of the most attractive minor characters in the Bible. He shows good sense, devotion to the Lord, faith, loyalty to his employer, and determination to be successful in his appointed task.

The application is clear and obvious. One of the descriptions of the Christian which is prominent in the New Testament is a servant of the Lord, or a slave (doulos). Paul often starts his letters describing himself as a “bond servant of Jesus Christ”. Every time we speak of Jesus as master or Lord, we are acknowledging that we are the servants. Sometimes our service is rendered directly to Him, and other times we serve Him as we serve others. Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me (Matthew 25:40). Slaves, obey you earthly masters in everything… work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men (Colossians 3:22,23).

The commission which Eliezer received

Isaac was now 40 years old, and patiently waiting God’s time, not taking matters into his own hands. Perhaps he had learnt from his father about the perils of rushing ahead of God, and the trouble it brings. “The clocks of God keep perfect time” As we leave ourselves and our circumstances in God’s hands, He does not fail us. And Isaac was wise to wait, because God’s chosen wife for him, Rebekah, was the perfectly suitable wife for him.

Abraham felt the responsibility in finding a bride for Isaac. In the Eastern world a father had not fulfilled his responsibilities to his son until he had found a wife for him. So as one of the last acts of his life, Abraham fulfils this responsibility. He puts his servant under a solemn oath (c.f. hand under thigh) to find a wife, not from the Canaanites who were near neighbours, but from his own family.

The Canaanites were notoriously evil, and under God’s curse. It might have been useful financially, or socially advantageous, for Isaac to have a Canaanite wife, but spiritually it would have been ruinous. Abraham’s family, on the other hand, feared God and lived for Him. Only a marriage to someone God-fearing would bring true happiness and serve the purposes of God. Here is a principle reinstated constantly in both Testaments. Moses instructed the Israelites as they journeyed into the Promised Land, Do not intermarry with them. Do not give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons, for they will turn your sons away from following me to serve other gods (Deuteronomy 7:3,4).

Here is the heart of the matter. For the sake of peace and harmony, the believing partner will make concessions, and their loyalty to God will disappear. An illustration of this was Solomon, who defied God and married foreign women. The result? His wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God (1 Kings 11:4). A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord (1 Corinthians 7:39). Do not be yoked together with unbelievers (2 Corinthians 6:14).

So the principle goes right back to Abraham. The responsibility is on Christian parents today, not to arrange marriages, but to teach their children to marry in the Lord. Their advice may be ignored, but they have done their duty, they can never be reproached for failing to warn of subsequent unhappiness. Abraham commissions his servant to get the right wife for Isaac. Even in his old age he was concerned to do God’s will and further the purposes of God. He sets an example to us all, to be concerned to please God not just in the zest of youth and the maturity of middle age, but also in the beauty of old age.

How fruitful old age can be. They will still bear fruit in old age; they will stay fresh and green (Psalm 92:14). Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day (2 Corinthians 4:16). We have a job to do for God till our very last hour. We are immortal until our work is done – then we go home!

The character which Eliezer displayed

Eliezer was absolutely devoted to his master’s cause. Abraham’s cause was the servant’s cause. He committed to do his master’s bidding with all haste and thoroughness. It was not a service he rendered grudgingly. He was an enthusiast, who delighted in his work. When he arrived at his destination, he would not eat or drink until he had told his errand (Genesis 24:33). His master’s cause came first. And then when they tried to detain him longer, Do not detain me longer, now that the Lord has granted me success to my journey. Send me on my way so I may go to my master (Genesis 24:56). In all his talk, his concern was his master and his master’s business, not himself.

Whether we are serving the Lord directly in His church, or serving Him through our daily work, the guidelines here are unmistakeable. The job was done willingly (The people commended all the men who volunteered (Nehemiah 11:2)), completely (Finished their course with joy (Nehemiah 12:34, A.V.), whole-heartedly (I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me (Acts 20:24)), and promptly (At once they left their nets and followed him (Mark 1:18), We got ready at once to leave for Macedonia (Acts 16:10)). How our churches and work places and homes would be transformed if the Bible attitude to work was implemented.

Note also Eliezer’s tact , patience and gentleness in his dealings with others. He was courteous and thoughtful in dealing with the servant girl. God’s servants can be very zealous, but sadly, not always tactful.

The confidence in God Eliezer showed

Side by side with his own effort, thoroughness, conscientiousness and commitment, Eliezer was humble and totally dependent on God. This is constantly brought together in Scripture – 100% of God plus 100% of man. Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you (Philippians 2:12,13). To this end I labour, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me (Colossians 1:29). We must work as though it all depended on us, and pray as though it all depended on God.

Eliezer was in touch with God by prayer throughout the whole journey and all circumstances. He had a very difficult task. It was an unusual and unlikely errand. He needed to meet the right people. He had to have the right opportunity, and the wisdom and grace to use that opportunity. Hence he prayed, O Lord, God of my master Abraham, give me success today (Genesis 24:12). This attitude of dependence on God for success continued throughout the episode – in touch with God, close to God, watching out for God to direct, depending and leaning on Him. He did not dictate to God, but threw the whole responsibility onto God.

The A.V. translation of Genesis 24:27, I, being in the way the Lord led me, expresses perfectly how the Christian should lead his life. When we are in God’s way, He leads, helps, guides and directs. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight (Proverbs 3:6). Always ask Him to direct your words and actions. F.B.Meyer felt burdened to speak to everyone he met, he felt as if he was in bondage, until he learnt to pray to God to show him to whom he must speak. Bishop Taylor Smith consecrated his lips to God every time he got on a train or a public vehicle. Instead of forcing themselves, these men let God open the door.

It is our privilege to talk to God about everything in life. The minutiest detail is not too small for Him, who knows the numbers of hairs on our head. We cannot afford to spend a single day without asking His help and guidance. Like Eliezer, we need to stand by the well, and commit our way to the Lord. And if this is true of the ordinary days, how much more true in the days which are the watershed of life.

Saturate the work of God with prayer. Do not take a single step without prayer. The Christian worker must never start on any mission for God without asking God to give the success. Beware of the attitude, “I’ve been successful before, it’s easy, I can do it again – this time on my own.”

As Eliezer asked God to work in circumstances, so his inner convictions and impressions were confirmed. He asked for clear unmistakeable evidence that the girl was the right one for Isaac. He did not ask for silly or arbitrary irrelevant signs, but for things which fitted the circumstances. He was looking for a suitable wife, so he asked that the girl would demonstrate the right qualities – kindness and thoughtfulness. This she did, as she drew water for the camels and for Eliezer. She proved she was prepared to go the extra mile. She went beyond the requirements of conventional politeness. She was not too proud to serve.

God guides through circumstances. When the hand of God is seen, the spiritually minded discern it. Their inner conviction is confirmed by outward providence and the will of God is clearly discerned by those honestly seeking to know God’s will and to do it.

Immediately Eliezer was ready to acknowledge the goodness of God. When God answered his prayer and gave unmistakeable guidance, Eliezer was quick to testify to God’s answers to prayer. When Rebekah revealed who she was, he bowed his head and worshipped God. I praised the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who had led me on the right road to get the granddaughter of my master’s brother for his son (Genesis 24:48). When Bethuel granted him to take Rebekah for Isaac’s wife, Eleizer bowed down to the ground before the Lord (Genesis 24:52). He was quick to pray – and also quick to thank God for answered prayers. Be thankful (Colossians 3:15). Give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Always giving thanks to God (Ephesians 5:20).

Conclusion

Eliezer’s mission met with success. Isaac and Rebekah got married, and this was the next stage in the on-going purpose of God in blessing the world through Abraham and his seed. What a wonderful blessing we have in knowing the Lord, being able to serve Him, have communion with Him, and receive His guidance, help and support. We are His instruments to forward His purposes. This should encourage us to trust and obey, enjoy His presence, walk in His way, and enjoy the unfolding of His purposes through our lives.