“And he said, O LORD God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day, and show kindness unto my master Abraham … And it came to pass, before he had done speaking, that, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham’s brother, with her pitcher upon her shoulder.…” Genesis 24:12,15 (Read Genesis 24)

Though we know little of Abraham’s eldest servant (cf. Genesis 15:2 where he is mentioned by name, Eliezer, meaning “God is my help”), Genesis, chapter 24, gives us a glimpse of his faith in the LORD God, the God of Abraham.

Abraham, being old and wanting to provide a believing wife for his son Isaac – something very important for us to remember today – but also wanting to be sure that Isaac remained in the land of promise, asked his eldest servant, who was in charge of Abraham’s house, to go back to Mesopotamia and find a wife for Isaac from among Abraham’s relatives.

When this servant arrived there, he stopped at the well outside the city and prayed that the LORD God would bless his efforts and direct him to the woman whom God had chosen for Isaac by letting that young woman, when he asked her for a drink, offer also to water his camels. While he was yet speaking this prayer, Rebekah, daughter of Bethuel, came out to the well with her pitcher upon her shoulder. When he asked her to let down her pitcher and give him a drink, not only did she give him a drink but watered all his camels as well.

When he learned that she was a relative of Abraham, he knew that the LORD had directed him to the young woman God had chosen for Isaac and he “bowed down his head, and worshipped the LORD,” saying, “Blessed be the LORD God of my master Abraham, who hath not left destitute my master of His mercy and His truth: I being in the way, the LORD led me to the house of my master’s brethren” (v. 26, 27).

After telling to Rebekah’s family the account of how he was sent of Abraham and how the LORD God directed him to find Rebekah, and after Rebekah’s brother Laban and her father Bethuel consented to send her with him to be the wife of Isaac, Abraham’s servant again “worshipped the LORD, bowing himself to the earth” (v. 52).

Though but a servant, this man shared the faith of Abraham. Whether through the witness of Abraham or that of others, he too knew the LORD God and trusted in Him. As we read, he prayed in faith and was led and prospered by the LORD in his journey; and, he gave thanks and praise to the LORD God for His guidance and blessing.

Can we learn from Abraham’s servant? Most certainly! Though we know little of him, his faith is a shining example for us. Like this humble servant, we have the great privilege of praying to the LORD God of Abraham for his guidance and blessing upon our lives.

For the sake of Christ Jesus, the promised descendant of Abraham through Isaac and Rebekah who suffered and died for the sins of the world and rose again on the third day, God forgives us and accepts us as His own dear children. He gives us the great privilege of coming into His very presence with our prayers (cf. Hebrews 10:19-22; 1 John 5:14-15); and He promises, “Before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear” (Isaiah 65:24).

God directs us, as His children through faith in Messiah Jesus, to commit our ways – our very lives – to Him and to trust Him; and He promises to bless us and make our journey through life prosperous – prosperous in His ways and in the accomplishing of His perfect will (cf. Psalm 37:3-7). And, like Abraham’s servant, we have every reason to bow before the LORD God and worship Him for His leading and guiding in our lives and in our tasks.

He, working through centuries of human history, sent His only-begotten Son to suffer and die upon the cross and redeem us and all mankind. He has sent His Spirit and caused us to hear His Word and trust in Him for forgiveness and life. He leads and guides us through the days of our lives and brings us safely into His heavenly kingdom. To Him “be glory for ever and ever. Amen”! (2 Timothy 4:18).

O LORD God of Abraham, we worship and praise You for the gift of Christ Jesus, Your Son, and for the mercy and truth You have shown unto us for Jesus sake. We bow before You. To You be the glory for ever and ever! Amen.

[Scripture quotations are from the King James Version of the Bible.]