GUIDANCE NEEDED
Genesis 24:12–20, 24–27
God provides, God guides, and God directs the steps of those who seek Him. In this passage, God provides guidance in the relationship between Isaac and Rebekah.
God guides Abraham’s servant to the right person at the right place and the right time.
The key to receiving and appreciating God’s guidance is a heart of obedience.
A request (12–14)
Shortly before this passage, the Word of God set forth a principle to guide the choice of spouses. Abraham made his servant promise in the name of God that he would find Isaac a wife who was not a nonbeliever (a Canaanite) (vv. 2–4).
The servant approaches his assigned task prayerfully as he intercedes for Abraham — “Make this happen for me today, and show kindness to my master Abraham” (v. 12).
Then the servant requests that God reveal to him the young lady God purposes to marry Isaac by fulfilling a request connected to the character and servanthood of the young lady.
The specificness of his prayer is striking to me. “Let the girl … say, ‘Drink, and I’ll water your camels also.’”
Prayer is vital in terms of discerning God’s will.
The servant boldly sets forth a test of the character of the future wife for Isaac — a young lady who voluntarily waters the camels.
The answer (15–20)
Before the servant finishes making his request to God, Rebekah comes with a jug of water on her shoulder. She fills the jug and the servant requests water. She also waters the camels.
Rebekah was a virgin, attractive and the granddaughter of Abraham’s brother.
Believers should pray for our daily tasks but also pray for guidance for the unusual and unplanned events that interrupt our daily routines.
The biblical text describes the beauty and the character of Rebekah. She possesses a servant’s heart in that she gave water to the servant of Abraham and brought water to the camels as well.
Abraham’s servant challenges us to pray about our work responsibilities as the servant of Abraham did.
Praise offered (24–27)
God provides guidance as evidenced by the family connections. The servant inquires about possible housing for the night.
Rebekah describes her family. Her father Bethuel is the nephew of Abraham’s brother Nahor.
God’s providence led the servant to a member of Abraham’s family. Rebekah also offers straw and a place to spend the night.
The unnamed servant bows low and begins to worship the Lord.
He acknowledges God’s guidance on his journey from his departure from Abraham to his surprising encounter with a relative of Abraham.
He exalts Yahweh God with his speech. The servant highlights two characteristics of the faithful God.
First, God is a God of kindness — a Hebrew term better translated as “faithful.”
The Hebrew term is the Old Testament term that corresponds to the New Testament’s “agape,” describing God’s love.
Furthermore, the servant does not neglect to praise God for His guidance on his journey.
Worship through actions, words and lifestyle is the highest possible praise to God.
By Mark Rathel
Professor at the Baptist College of Florida in Graceville, Florida
