Genesis 24:1-32
Q.1. What was Abraham’s request to his servant? What vow did Abraham require from his servant? On what basis was the servant freed from his vow? – (Gen.24:1-9)
Eliezer of Damascus was Abraham’s oldest servant, who would have inherited everything had Abraham had no son (Gen.15:2). Before Abraham died, he sent Eliezer on a mission to his family back in Mesopotamia, to find a wife for Isaac. Eliezer was required to swear before the God of Heaven and earth that he would fulfill this mission (Gen.24:2-3). Under no circumstances was Isaac to marry a Canaanite, nor was he to leave Canaan, the Promised Land – 6 …”Beware that you do not take my son back there! 7 The Lord, the God of heaven, who took me from my father’s house and from the land of my birth, and who spoke to me and who swore to me, saying, `To your descendants I will give this land,’ He will send His angel before you, and you will take a wife for my son from there (Gen.24:6-7). Abraham clearly believed that his servant would succeed, but released him from his vow should no relative be prepared to leave home (c.f. Gen.24:5 & 8)
Q.2. What impact did Abraham have on his servant? What prayer request did Eliezer make to help him on his mission? – (Gen.24:10-14 c.f. Gen.15:2)
There is no doubt that Eliezer had totally embraced Abraham’s faith. Abraham unashamedly shared his confidence in the success of this mission (Gen.24:7c). Eliezer sought God’s intervention, by praying – … “O Lord, the God of my master Abraham, please grant me success today, and show lovingkindness to my master Abraham (Gen.24:12 c.f. Rev.3:7-8). He boldly asked God to give him a sign confirming the selection of the right girl for Isaac (Gen.24:13-14).
Q.3. How did Rebekah meet Abraham’s expectations? How did she fulfill the servant’s request from God? – (Gen.24:15-21 c.f. Gen.24:15 c.f. 11:26-29; 22:20-23)
Under the providence of God, Rebekah appeared immediately following Eliezer’s request for a sign (Gen.24:13-15). She perfectly fitted Abraham’s description, being a close relative via his own brother, Nahor (Gen.24:15 c.f. Gen.11:26-29; 22:20-23). We learn further, that – the girl was very beautiful, a virgin, and no man had had relations with her; and she went down to the spring and filled her jar and came up (Gen.24:16). She happily responded to his request to give him a drink. However, would she water his ten camels? This would normally be an unlikely offer because camels drink so much. She fulfilled all Eliezer’s unsolicited requests (Gen.24:13-14 c.f. 24:19-20). Though Eliezer had his own servants with him, Rebekah assisted him with kindness, unselfishness, and grace (c.f. Gen.24:32).
Q.4. How was Rebekah rewarded? How did the servant respond? What do we learn about Laban? – (Gen.24:22-32)
Eliezer’s doubts quickly turned to confidence that God had led him to the right girl, this being evidenced by the giving of extravagant gold gifts (Gen.24:21-22). Upon inquiry, he discovered that she was a descendant of Abraham’s brother, Nahor. Eliezer was filled with gratitude – … “Blessed be the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken His lovingkindness and His truth toward my master; as for me, the Lord has guided me in the way to the house of my master’s brothers.” (Gen.24:27 c.f. Gen.24:23-24). Rebekah assured him that he would be welcome to stay with her family. Here we are introduced to her brother Laban, who later will prove a thorn in Jacob’s side. Laban extended a warm welcome to Eliezer, but the Bible suggests that his motivation was not just hospitality – 30 When he saw the ring and the bracelets on his sister’s wrists, and when he heard the words of Rebekah his sister, saying, “This is what the man said to me,” he went to the man; and behold, he was standing by the camels at the spring. 31 And he said, “Come in, blessed of the Lord! Why do you stand outside since I have prepared the house, and a place for the camels?” (Gen.24:30-31).