Genesis 24 is more than a simple story of how Isaac and Rebekah become husband and wife.
In fact, a significant portion of the chapter centers on Abraham’s servant.
Back in Genesis 15:2, before Isaac was born, we learn the name of Abraham’s chief servant is Eliezer. Abraham expresses to God his concern that he remains childless. As long as this continued, Eliezer would inherit Abraham’s estate.
Yet, Abraham did not remain childless. He received a child through his wife Sarah in their old age.
Following the death of Sarah, Abraham requests Eliezer take a special assignment.
What can we learn from Abraham’s chief servant about honoring God through worship?
Honoring God Through Worship | Genesis 24: 26-27 and 48 | The Servant Commissioned
The opening of Genesis 24 describes Abraham requesting his chief servant to take an oath before the Lord. This oath involved traveling back to Abraham’s home country of Haran to find a wife for Isaac from among Abraham’s own relatives. Thus, most commentators agree Abraham is speaking with Eliezer in this chapter, even though the name is not in the text. Instead, Eliezer is called Abraham’s servant, the servant, or the man.
Before Eliezer would agree to Abraham’s request, he asked a clarifying question.
5 The servant said to [Abraham], “Perhaps the woman may not be willing to follow me to this land. Must I then take your son back to the land from which you came?”[1]
Abraham insisted Isaac should not go to Haran. (Genesis 24:6)
Instead, Abraham assured Eliezer with the following comments.
7 The Lord, the God of heaven, who took me from my father’s house and from the land of my kindred, and who spoke to me and swore to me, ‘To your offspring I will give this land,’ he will send his angel before you, and you shall take a wife for my son from there.[2]
Abraham also assured Eliezer that if the potential wife refused to leave Haran, he would release Eliezer from this oath. (Genesis 24:8)
What do you already discern about Eliezer?
Honoring God Through Worship | Genesis 24: 26-27 and 48 | The Servant’s Commitment
Eliezer agrees to take the oath requested by Abraham and journeys to Haran. (Genesis 24:9-11)
Upon arriving in the area, Eliezer speaks to the Lord.
12 And he said, “O Lord, God of my master Abraham, please grant me success today and show steadfast love to my master Abraham. 13 Behold, I am standing by the spring of water, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water. 14 Let the young woman to whom I shall say, ‘Please let down your jar that I may drink,’ and who shall say, ‘Drink, and I will water your camels’—let her be the one whom you have appointed for your servant Isaac. By this I shall know that you have shown steadfast love to my master.” [3]
Describe in your own words Eliezer’s approach to the Lord in this prayer.
The next verse (Genesis 24:15) opens with the phrase, “Before he had finished speaking”. It then reveals the shepherd girl who approached the spring of water is none other than Rebekah, the granddaughter of Abraham’s brother Nahor.
When asked for a drink by Eliezer, Rebekah immediately responds and offers to water his camels. (Genesis 24:17-20)
21 The man gazed at her in silence to learn whether the Lord had prospered his journey or not. [4]
Why did Eliezer wait in silence while Rebekah watered the camels?
Honoring God Through Worship | Genesis 24: 26-27 and 48 | The Servant Honors God
26 The man bowed his head and worshiped the Lord[5]
First, we are told Eliezer physically bowed his head. Other translations may read “bowed low”.
Second, we are told Eliezer worshipped the Lord.
Remember, the Hebrew word for worship literally means to “bow down.”
Besides Eliezer’s physical posture, what else is scripture showing Eliezer has bowed down?
What does this emphasis on being bowed down before the LORD reveal about Eliezer? About the Lord?
Eliezer then says:
27 and said, “Blessed be the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken his steadfast love and his faithfulness toward my master. As for me, the Lord has led me in the way to the house of my master’s kinsmen.”[6]
Who does Eliezer give credit for meeting Rebekah?
Honoring God Through Worship | Genesis 24: 26-27 and 48 | The Servant Honors God Again
Rebekah runs to her mother’s household, where her brother Laban learns what has transpired and runs to offer hospitality to Eliezer. (Genesis 24:28-32)
33 Then food was set before [Eliezer] to eat. But he said, “I will not eat until I have said what I have to say.” [7]
With a few alterations, Eliezer repeats everything previously covered in chapter twenty-four. Eliezer starts by saying, “I am Abraham’s servant.” (Genesis 24:34-47)
What is the purpose of repeating the details of Eliezer’s commission and meeting of Rebekah with Rebekah’s family?
Consider Eliezer’s next statement.
48 Then I bowed my head and worshiped the Lord and blessed the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who had led me by the right way to take the daughter of my master’s kinsman for his son.[8]
According to verses twenty-seven and forty-eight, why did Eliezer bow his head and worship the LORD?
Bowing down to another shows honor, reverence, and respect for that person.
Describe Eliezer’s character in Genesis 24.
Honoring God Through Worship | Genesis 24: 26-27 and 48 | The Mission Accomplished
Eliezer then challenges Rebekah’s family.
49 Now then, if you are going to show steadfast love and faithfulness to my master, tell me; and if not, tell me, that I may turn to the right hand or to the left.” [9]
Rebekah’s family responds.
50 Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, “The thing has come from the Lord; we cannot speak to you bad or good. 51 Behold, Rebekah is before you; take her and go, and let her be the wife of your master’s son, as the Lord has spoken.” [10]
Eliezer honors the LORD again.
52 When Abraham’s servant heard their words, he bowed himself to the earth before the Lord.[11]
The rest of Genesis 24 tells us that Rebekah did not refuse the offer to travel back with Eliezer to marry Isaac.
What is Eliezer’s role in Genesis 24 as it relates to honoring God through worship?
Honoring God Through Worship | Genesis 24: 26-27 and 48 | Reflection Questions
How comfortable are you asking to clarify tasks requested of you by those you serve? Explain.
Are you willing to accept tough assignments like Eliezer?
Do you trust God knows what you need before you ask him? Why or why not? (Also see Matthew 6:8)
Describe how God is guiding you to be a part of his purposes.
Share a favorite hymn or contemporary praise song in the comments that help you honor God through worship.
One of my childhood favorites is, I Love to Tell the Story. My default contemporary one is the simple praise song, I Love You, Lord.
Blessings,
Barbara Lynn
[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ge 24:5.
[2] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ge 24:7.
[3] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ge 24:12–14.
[4] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ge 24:21.
[5] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ge 24:26.
[6] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ge 24:27.
[7] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ge 24:33.
[8] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ge 24:48.
[9] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ge 24:49.
[10] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ge 24:50–51.
[11] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ge 24:52.