Genesis 24:1-57

Our pastor spoke today on the topic "To Set and Reach Your Goals" using Genesis 24:1-57 as basis for the lesson that "Eliazar’s search for a wife for Isaac illustrates the ten steps of successful goal setting". The ten steps are:

1. Determine your position
2. Define your purpose
3. Discover a promise
4. Describe the profit
5. Desire in prayer
6. Diagnose the problems
7. Design a Plan
8. Discipline your personality
9. Deposit the price
10. Depend on people

The pastor's current 2-month theme at the moment is "Super Successful Living". I can't say I am in line with his exegetical methods but he drew from the passage the verses that mention "success" or "successful" and came up with the 10 steps.

What other ways can one draw lessons from the passage? Here could be some possibilities:

1. Eliazar's obedience and oath of faithful service. Put your hand under my thigh (v.2) reflects the custom of the times where it represents a token of his subjection to Abraham as a servant, and of his readiness, willingness, and fidelity to execute any commands he receives.
We too should emulate the readiness and willingness of Eliazar in obedience and service.

2. Abraham's faithfulness and allegiance to God. You will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites ... see to it that you do not take my son back there (v.3-5). This portion of Scriptures reminds me of Psalm 1, Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers. Canaanites are said to be idolaters and very wicked people and Abraham made Eliazar swear that he will not bring home any Canaanites. While it would serve the Lord when we spend time helping the needy and troubled but to dwell in the midst of wickedness and partaking in it is unacceptable to God.

3. Eliazar's daring prayer. 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." (v.14) I would say that Eliazar's prayer is really very bold and daring. His asking is so precise that any failure would send him back with nothing. But to put that into practice in our lives, how bold can we be in our prayers? Or would we pray in such a way that will force an answer for ourselves as we would like to have it? "I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, whom she bore to Nahor." (v.24) Even though Eliazar's prayer was answered, he also had it confirmed.

4. Eliazar's worship. The man bowed his head and worshiped the LORD. (v.26) When Eliazar has received what he had prayed for, he never forget to worship God. A good reminder to us.

Maeghan
Picture by Johanna Ljungblom