Genesis 24:1-67

Introduction:

1. Who among us can state the name of Abraham’s servant who went and found Rebekah to be Isaac’s wife in Genesis 24? No worries, no human being can.

2. This unnamed servant plays a major role in salvation history and demonstrates many key characteristics worthy of emulation by God’s people in all places and times.

Discussion:

I. The Cultural Context

A. Culturally, as the patriarch of the clan, Abraham was to provide a bride for Isaac.

B. It seems he was too aged to tend the matter himself, so he appointed a trusted servant to go find a suitable bride for Isaac (24:1-8).

II. The Gravity of the Servant’s Task

A. Though the practice involved here was common, this was no ordinary arrangement.

B. This groom to be was unlike any other as God’s promise of blessings to all humanity was to come through him (Genesis 12:1-3; 15:1-21; 17:15-27; 18:1-21; 22:1-18).

C. Abraham knew all of this, so his choice of this servant to seek out a wife that was suitable to continue this critical seed-line speaks volumes about his character.

III. Characteristics to Emulate

A. In the narrative, we learn many critical lessons from this unnamed servant who was:

1. Trustworthy, ruling over Abraham’s house (24:2; cf. Genesis 39:1-6, 20-23; 41:37-57).

2. Diligent, immediately starting the task (24:9-10; cf. Luke 9:57-62; Ephesians 5:15-17).

3. Prayerful, knowing success depends on God’s blessings (24:11-14; cf. James 4:13-17).

4. Bold, running straight to a woman he did not know (24:17).

5. Thankful, worshipping God for prospering his journey (24:23-27, 50-52).

6. Unselfish, being joyful for the good of others (24:23-27; Romans 12:15a).

B. Having faithfully completed the task he was given in such noble fashion (24:56-61, 64-67), unswerving loyalty to his master best summarizes this man’s life.

Conclusion:

1. Likewise, unswerving loyalty is what we must bring to our service to the Master.

2. Imagine how much good has been done by faithful people whose names we will never know; imagine how much good we can do if we emulate this humble servant.

Further Food for Thought

1. Did you ever imagine an unnamed servant in the Old Testament could impact us so greatly?

2. How can we use this narrative to reinforce the value of each member’s contributions here?