Scripture Daily

Context No. 3592 of 4322 · Genesis

Context · Reflection

Genesis 24:32-47: in context

32The man came into the house, and he unloaded the camels. He gave straw and feed for the camels, and water to wash his feet and the feet of the men who were with him. 33Food was set before him to eat, but he said, “I will not eat until I have told my message.” Laban said, “Speak on.” 34He said, “I am Abraham’s servant. 35The LORD has blessed my master greatly. He has become great. The LORD has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, male servants and female servants, and camels and donkeys. 36Sarah, my master’s wife, bore a son to my master when she was old. He has given all that he has to him. 37My master made me swear, saying, ‘You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I live, 38but you shall go to my father’s house, and to my relatives, and take a wife for my son.’ 39I asked my master, ‘What if the woman will not follow me?’ 40He said to me, ‘The LORD, before whom I walk, will send his angel with you, and prosper your way. You shall take a wife for my son from my relatives, and of my father’s house. 41Then you will be clear from my oath, when you come to my relatives. If they don’t give her to you, you shall be clear from my oath.’ 42I came today to the spring, and said, ‘The LORD, the God of my master Abraham, if now you do prosper my way which I go— 43behold, I am standing by this spring of water. Let it happen, that the maiden who comes out to draw, to whom I will say, “Please give me a little water from your pitcher to drink,” 44then she tells me, “Drink, and I will also draw for your camels,”—let her be the woman whom the LORD has appointed for my master’s son.’ 45Before I had finished speaking in my heart, behold, Rebekah came out with her pitcher on her shoulder. She went down to the spring, and drew. I said to her, ‘Please let me drink.’ 46She hurried and let down her pitcher from her shoulder, and said, ‘Drink, and I will also give your camels a drink.’ So I drank, and she also gave the camels a drink. 47I asked her, and said, ‘Whose daughter are you?’ She said, ‘The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor’s son, whom Milcah bore to him.’ I put the ring on her nose, and the bracelets on her hands.

Abraham's servant, offered food after his long journey, will not eat until he has told his errand, and he recounts the whole story of how God guided him. He tells how he prayed at the well for a specific sign, and how, before he had even finished praying in his heart, Rebekah appeared and did exactly what he had asked God to reveal.

What stands out is his eagerness to give God the credit at every turn. He does not present himself as clever or lucky; he attributes everything to the LORD, who prospered his way and answered his prayer before it was even finished. The servant is a model of a faithful person on a mission: he prayed specifically, watched for God's answer, recognized it when it came, and gave God all the glory for it. And notice how swiftly God answered, before the prayer was fully spoken. God delights to guide those who seek his direction and are watching, expectantly, for his hand.

Do I seek God's guidance in prayer, watch expectantly for his answer, and give him the credit when he leads me, as Abraham's servant did?

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