Genesis 24:6-14: a reflection

6Abraham said to him, “Beware that you don’t bring my son there again. 7The LORD, the God of heaven—who took me from my father’s house, and from the land of my birth, who spoke to me, and who swore to me, saying, ‘I will give this land to your offspring—he will send his angel before you, and you shall take a wife for my son from there. 8If the woman isn’t willing to follow you, then you shall be clear from this oath to me. Only you shall not bring my son there again.” 9The servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and swore to him concerning this matter. 10The servant took ten of his master’s camels, and departed, having a variety of good things of his master’s with him. He arose, and went to Mesopotamia, to the city of Nahor. 11He made the camels kneel down outside the city by the well of water at the time of evening, the time that women go out to draw water. 12He said, “LORD, the God of my master Abraham, please give me success today, and show kindness to my master Abraham. 13Behold, I am standing by the spring of water. The daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water. 14Let it happen, that the young lady to whom I will say, ‘Please let down your pitcher, that I may drink,’ then she says, ‘Drink, and I will also give your camels a drink,’—let her be the one you have appointed for your servant Isaac. By this I will know that you have shown kindness to my master.”

Abraham sends his trusted servant on a weighty mission: to find a wife for Isaac among Abraham's kindred. Abraham grounds the whole errand in faith, confident that the God who had led him and made him promises would send his angel ahead to prepare the way. And the servant, arriving at a well in the evening, does something quietly beautiful: before he acts, he prays. Lord, God of my master Abraham, he says, please grant me success today and show kindness to my master.

His prayer is specific and practical. He asks God for a sign to identify the right woman: let the young woman who offers not only to give me a drink but to water my camels be the one you have chosen. This was more than a random test; watering ten thirsty camels was a huge, generous task, so he was, in effect, asking God to reveal a woman of kindness and industry. The servant brings his real, concrete decision to God and asks for his guidance and kindness in it.

There is a model here for seeking God's direction in the practical decisions of life. The servant did not simply act on his own judgment; he paused, prayed specifically, and asked God to guide him and to show kindness. When you face an important decision, follow his example: bring the actual, concrete matter to God, ask for his direction, and trust him to lead. God is willing to be involved in the real choices of your life. Pray before you act, and watch for his kind guidance.

Lord, before he acted, Abraham's servant prayed specifically for your guidance and kindness in a weighty decision. Teach me to do the same. When I face an important choice, keep me from simply relying on my own judgment; help me to pause, to pray, and to ask for your direction. You are willing to be involved in the real decisions of my life. Guide me, and show me your kindness. Amen.