The story of their marriage is sweet, though unconventional, for it was divinely planned by God. Wonder surrounds the story of
their family. for they would be crucial to the lineage through which our Messiah would arrive. Yet amidst all of the sweet wonder was a man, often overlooked, who was the instrument through which God arranged it. His name was Eliezer, and we have something important to learn from him. .
- ELIEZER OF DAMASCAS
Abraham and Sarah are known for their decades-long infertility. Their initial inability to produce children was especially apparent in their historical context, when neighbors made it their personal business to dismay over, and discuss the social dilemma of a childless couple. Abraham and Sarah were a childless-couple, but they were also a wealthy couple.
God had blessed amply blessed them; they possessed land, livestock, provision and even jewelry abundant. It was the pride of a father to pass that down to his children as an inheritance, to keep the wealth in the family, and the family prominent. But Abraham had no children. He did however, have an heir: Eliezer. We learn from Genesis 15 that Eliezer was set to inherit Abraham's house and all it encompassed.
God changed Abraham's chosen heir, Eliezer, to Abraham's second-born son: Isaac. But we cannot neglect to acknowledge that Eliezer was considered worthy of Abraham's house, even if Abraham longed for a child to replace him as heir. Abraham trusted Eliezer from the beginning and continued to trust him at the end.
- ELDEST SERVANT
When Abraham became elderly, and Sarah had died, it become important to him to ensure that Isaac was properly married. Abraham was too old to undertake the task himself so he chose Eliezer, his eldest and most trusted servant. Eliezer is referred to as Abraham's servant, but that word does not adequately describe his position in Abraham's house. Genesis 24 tells us that Eliezer "ruled over all that [Abraham] had."
Not only had Abraham trusted Eliezer with the content and management of his entire, substantial household, he began a request concerning his precious Isaac, his long-prayed for child:
"And I will make you swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and the God of the earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell; but you shall go to my country and to my family, and take a wife for my son Isaac.”
Genesis 24:3-4
It was imperative to Abraham that Isaac be married to someone within the covenant, that is: of Abraham's family, because it was imperative to God that it be so. A wife outside-of-the-faith would derail Isaac, and any subsequent children, into the worship of false-gods and behavior below the bar God set generations back with Noah.
So Eliezer promised Abraham that he would find a suitable wife for Isaac and set out on the journey. Eliezer then did a simple, but extraordinary thing: he prayed to God:
“O Lord God of my master Abraham, please give me success this day, and show kindness to my master Abraham.
Genesis 24:12
Eliezer prayed for Godspeed in his mission. He communicated God, he endeavored in God's will. And by doing so, we are reminded to do the same. As we undertake any task, we exemplify our love and faith in God when we include Him in it. It is imperative that we align our mission with God's will, so that our journey is undertaken with not only His permission, but also His presence and provision simultaneous with His plan.
Fluidity and success in any of our endeavors requires the inclusion of God. Eliezer understood that, and therefore be begin to understand why Abraham trusted him so much. He was a faithful man... faithful to Abraham but also, more importantly, to God.
- GOD IS HELP
Eliezer's named means: God is help. And Eliezer understood that. So, instead of praying at the beginning of his journey and then omitting God from the situation, Eliezer continued to consult God. Eliezer prayed that God would assist him in identifying the right woman... and mid-prayer, Rebekah came along.
Rebekah arrived at the well where Eliezer prayed, and quickly, modestly, unwittingly demonstrated herself to be a beautiful, kind and hard-working woman. She was also, not-coincidentally, a suitable bride for Isaac as she was of Abraham's family. Rebekah gave Eliezer a pitcher of water to drink, which would have been much welcomed in a such a warm, dry region after a long travel. She then took it upon herself to give water to the camels Eliezer brought with him.
Though Rebekah seemed a more-than-adequate choice, Eliezer remained loyal to Abraham and thus to God's plan. He ensured that Rebekah was of Abraham's family. And when he learned that she, officially, was Eliezer did another simple, extraordinary thing: he bowed down and worshiped the Lord.
A lot of people readily pray to God when they begin a thing they desperately want to go well... but considerably less people remember to thank God when it actually does. Eliezer did so immediately:
Then the man bowed down his head and worshiped the Lord. And he said, “Blessed be the Lord God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken His mercy and His truth toward my master. As for me, being on the way, the Lord led me to the house of my master’s brethren.”
Genesis 24:26-27
Our covenant with God is a relationship. Communication is crucial, and so is gratitude. In any relationship, it's important to acknowledge the effort of the other person involved; to love the character of the other person; and to include them in our lives. God is, metaphorically, our well of living water but we do not only draw from it/Him. We sit by it/Him. We spend time and thought with Him. We remember its/His faithful provision with gratitude when we contemplate the quenching of whatever thirst we had that God satisfied.
- WHICH LED ME IN THE RIGHT WAY
Eliezer was led to and welcomed into Rebekah's family home. Upon arrival, Eliezer was received with great hospitality; his animals were taken care of and a small feast was laid before him. But before Eliezer would rest and eat, he remained focused on his divinely-led mission. He told the details of his mission from beginning to end, in full detail, and described the family Rebekah would potentially join. At the culmination of his presentation, Rebekah's family, and Rebekah herself, agreed.
Arrangements were made subsequent to Rebekah's willingness to marry Isaac, gifts were distributed. Abraham had sent Eliezer with provisional gifts for Isaac's bride and her family. They ate and then Eliezer expressed an intention to return directly to Abraham and Isaac. Again Eliezer exemplifies to us the concentrated faith we need to have (or at least need to strive to have) in all of our endeavors.
When all was settled, Eliezer prayed and thanked God. Though God's presence is less tangible in this account, understand, as Eliezer understood, that He was present. He led and blessed the whole mission. Eliezer included God in it, and that is the only and precise reason for its success. The more attuned we are to God, the less we are hindered, delayed or even thwarted by distraction.
Eliezer could have easily spoiled his situation in Abraham's house by being untrustworthy or lazy. He could have easily failed his mission by not ensuring he acted in accordance with God's will. He could have lazily indulged in the prominence Abraham gave him, or the in the treatment Rebekah's family showed him. Instead he remained honest, faithful, and focused. He was specific to include God in each step of his way.
Remember that the covenant was established as an everlasting promise to perpetual generations, and to all the earth. That means the covenant was established between God and you. He promised to be your God. Within that title He is a Father, Counselor, Friend, Advocate, Guide, Haven and so much more. Therefore claim that promise, you are its heir! You are an heir to the inheritance of God. Act accordingly, through faith draw God's presence into your life; He will not leave but you must keep Him there. We do so by praying to Him before we begin something, consulting Him as we do it, and by thanking Him after it is accomplished. All throughout life. God is your help.