Genesis 24:26-27 "And the man bowed down his head, and worshipped the LORD. And he said, 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."
The man referenced in verse twenty-six was the steward of Abraham’s household. Abraham had exacted an oath from this man (likely Eliezer) that he would go into the land of Abraham’s kindred and find a wife for Isaac. This man, having been a faithful and trusted servant for many years, had access to all that his master, Abraham, owned (Genesis 24:10). According to the oath he had sworn to Abraham, he selected ten camels and loaded them with provisions for the journey and precious gifts to give to Rebecca at the end of it.
We are so very blessed that our heavenly Master still gives to his faithful servants access to all that He has. In Romans 8:32, Paul says “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” As His faithful servants, we need to remember that we have made an oath to Him. Again, the word of God teaches us that it is better not to make a vow than to make a vow and not keep it (Ecclesiastes 5:4-5).
This faithful old servant of Abraham’s had learned who the LORD was over his years in Abraham’s household. Scholars tell us that the journey from Hebron (where Abraham dwelled) to Haran (where his kindred were) would have taken about 17 days. It is not too difficult to imagine the thoughts that would have run through Eliezer’s mind. Would he find Abraham’s kindred? If so, would he find one to be Isaac’s wife? Would he be able to fulfill his oath?
One thing he knew for sure: he did not want to lean on his own wisdom. As he drew near the city well, he asked God for a sign that he was in the right way. He knew that he had arrived at the time of day that the young women would be coming out to draw water from the well. So, he asked the LORD to grant that when he asked one of them for a drink that she would not only give him water but would voluntarily draw water for all ten of his camels as well. Camels can drink about thirty gallons of water at one time, and Eliezer had ten camels: this was no small thing he was asking.
We know that Nahor’s granddaughter (who would have been Abraham’s great niece) was the young lady that Eliezer approached. We know that the hand of God was in the matter because who she was would have been unknown to Abraham’s servant when he first approached her. It is wonderful to be granted insight into Eliezer’s reaction. The first thing he did was to bow down his head (humble himself) and worship the LORD.
Dear ones, how many times in our lives has God blessed us with His mercy and truth? How many times have we been “in the way,” and the LORD has led us to a place of welcome? What has our reaction been in these times? I pray that God will bless us to see His providential hand in our lives. When, by God’s providence, our journey is successful, I hope that our first thought will not be “I did it!” Instead, like Eliezer, may we bow down our heads and worship the LORD, for truly, nothing is too hard for Him!