Moving Thanks
“Then it came about, when the camels had finished drinking, that the man took a gold ring weighing a half-shekel and two bracelets for her wrist weighting ten shekels in gold, and said, “Whose daughter are you? Please tell me, is there room for us to lodge in your father’s house?’
“And she said to him, I am the daughter of Bethuel, the son of Milcah, whom she bore to Nahor.’ Again, she said to him, ‘We have plenty of both straw and feed and room to lodge in.’
“Then the man bowed low and worshipped the Lord. And he said, ‘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.’” Genesis 24:22-27
I can imagine the servant, Eliezer, the oldest and wisest of Abraham’s servants to have been a pragmatic, stubborn doubter, always looking for proof and justification for his work. In this chapter of Genesis, he put so many ‘what ifs’ to Abraham before he agreed, that it is a surprise Abraham didn’t just send someone else to look for a wife for Issac!
Yet, God had prepared everything along the journey, and at the well, to demonstrate His love for, not just Abraham and Isaac or even Rebekah, but for this servant as well.
Once reaching this famous well, he asked God to confirm His choice by asking for a near impossible sign…and that had to do with those ten camels. Did you know that one thirsty camel can drink 20-30 gallons of water!
Ten camels would require hundreds of gallons, meaning many trips to the well, lowering and filling heavy jars, and pouring them out—likely taking an hour or more of hard physical work. Rebekah did this willingly and quickly for a stranger and his animals.
For a lifetime, Rebekah has developed strong, servant-hearted character. Eliezer wasn’t looking primarily for beauty (though Rebekah was beautiful and a virgin) or status, but for kindness, hospitality, diligence and a willing spirit. Her actions showed she was the kind of woman who would fit into Abraham’s covenant family.
His thanksgiving was hearty. I imagine this subtle, ‘practical evangelism’ would have moved Eliezer a bit closer to his master’s God.
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Take care with love, especially His, from Darlene, who still prays for you each day.
PS: You can also find the devotions on line/ on your mobile phone here: www.weakdaydevotion.com .
NOTES: I choose to believe the Bible because it's a reliable collection of historical documents written down by eyewitnesses during the lifetime of other eyewitnesses. They reported supernatural events that took place before, of specific prophecies; and claim that their writings are divine rather than human in origin.
The Five Solas: Individuals are saved by grace alone, through faith alone in Christ alone, as revealed by Scripture alone to the glory of God alone!
Find my full statement of faith: https://especiallyhislove.blogspot.com (where you will also find a series of Bible studies). For the books, go to Amazon books. For prayer requests/ updates, email: darlenerichard@gmail.com