Free Bible Commentary
“Genesis 24:10-14”
Categories: Genesis“Then the servant took ten camels from the camels of his master, and set out with a variety of good things of his master’s in his hand; and he arose and went to Mesopotamia, to the city of Nahor. He made the camels kneel down outside the city by the well of water at evening time, the time when women go out to draw water. He said, 'O Lord, the God of my master Abraham, please grant me success today, and show lovingkindness to my master Abraham. Behold, I am standing by the spring, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water; now may it be that the girl to whom I say, “Please let down your jar so that I may drink,” and who answers, “Drink, and I will water your camels also”—may she be the one whom You have appointed for Your servant Isaac; and by this I will know that You have shown lovingkindness to my master.'"
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“Then the servant took ten camels...and set out with a variety of good things...” (verse 10) Proverbs 31:10 states that, “An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels.” Abraham understood the value of a good and virtuous wife for his son because he was blessed with one of his own for the greater portion of his life. He spared no expense in showering lavish gifts upon Isaac's future Jewel, not to dazzle her eyes and purchase her love, but because he knew that she would be a treasure far more precious in comparison. It was very important, however, to make a persuasive first impression upon the woman and her family, and to demonstrate that she was in suitable company and well-provided for to make the long journey back to her new home as safely and comfortably as possible.
“He made the camels kneel down outside the city by the well of water at evening time...” (verse 11) “It was natural for a newly arrived stranger to head for the public wells. He could replenish his water supplies and at the same time cull much valuable information about the town and make useful contacts, for the well served as a meeting place for the townsfolk and shepherds. Jacob, too, gravitated at once toward the well on arriving at Haran in 29:2, and Moses did the same thing when he fled to Midian in Exodus 2:15. In each case the encounter at the well eventuated in betrothal. The three scenes share a number of features in common... At evening time when the chores are done, and the sun-baked day was cooled, the young women who go out to draw water can dawdle over the task and engage in leisurely conversation.” (Nahum Sarna)
“He said, 'O Lord, the God of my master Abraham, please grant me success today, and show lovingkindness to my master Abraham.'” (verse 12) It is interesting, remarkable and powerful to learn that the first person in the Bible to pray to the Lord for direction and intervention at a pivotal juncture is this unnamed, unassuming servant. The Almighty God was and is personally accessible to the humble, righteous and reverent, not just to men of great stature such as Abraham. What this godly man uttered from his mouth was an honest outpouring of his heart, and an articulation of cognizant and complete dependence upon the Lord and His providential “lovingkindness”. He doesn't ask God for a miracle but that He demonstrate His divine approval by eliciting a favorable response from the preferred woman at the right place and time.
“'Drink, and I will water your camels also'—may she be the one whom You have appointed for Your servant Isaac...” (verse 14) “The criteria that the servant establishes are aspects of nobility and character. The ideal wife must be hospitable to strangers, kind to animals, and willing to give of herself to others. The grueling nature of the prescribed test can be appreciated only if it is realized that a single camel—and here there were ten!—requires at least twenty-five gallons of water to regain the weight it loses in the course of a long journey. It takes a camel about ten minutes to drink that amount of water.” (Nahum Sarna)
“This water test would be all that was needed to identify the bride. Of course, it was a strenuous and demanding test. Drawing water for ten camels, especially when the animals are tired and thirsty, borders on the heroic.
THE WATER TEST FOR THE BRIDE OF CHRIST
However people may resent it, there is surely also a water test for the Bride of Christ: 'Except a man be born of water and Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God' (John 3:15). As Christ himself stated it, 'He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved' (Mark 16:16).” (James Burton Coffman)
Please read Genesis 24:15-21 for tomorrow.
Happy New Year! Have a blessed day!
- Louie Taylor
