Genesis 24:9-14

2008.Feb.16 04:27

A Specific Request

Read Genesis 24:9-14 | Full Chapter

So the servant gave Abraham his word that he would do everything he had been told to do. Soon after that, the servant loaded ten of Abraham's camels with valuable gifts. Then he set out for the city in northern Syria, where Abraham's brother Nahor lived. When he got there, he let the camels rest near the well outside the city. It was late afternoon, the time when the women came out for water.
(Genesis 24:9-11, CEV)

The servant, having clarified Abraham’s request, agrees to fulfill it. He then acts according to the promise he made. If Abraham, proverbially, had said “Jump”, the servant would have said “How high?”, and then jumped to that height.

I was about to just give high marks to the servant and move on to the next few verses, but quoting the “When I say jump” stuff has my mind going another direction. I have often found myself hearing that expression and thinking that if I told somebody to jump and they asked me to clarify just how high they should jump, slappings would ensue. I mean, seriously, if I wanted to be that specific, I would say so. If I thought of it. Maybe…

And there’s the trouble, when do I ask for more specific instructions and when should I just go forth and do, filling in the gaps as needed. This is particularly difficult when the instructor is unlikely to know how much I know. Or, from the other side, how detailed should my instructions be to others? And what about instructions from God?

I feel confident in saying that there is a balance between no details and too many, whether the giver or receiver of the instructions. But a more important point is that new instructions should not serve as a reason to ignore those of the past. In particular, a new “calling” from God does not give me leave to violate his commandments; if I think I have received a calling which would require me to disobey his word, then I can safely assume I misheard his more recent instructions, or they were not indeed from Yahweh.

This could lead back into a “new” versus “old” covenant discussion, but I’m not up to that right now; and would probably make a fool of myself if I tried. Now, trying to get back on track…

The servant prayed: You, LORD, are the God my master Abraham worships. Please keep your promise to him and let me find a wife for Isaac today. The young women of the city will soon come to this well for water, and I'll ask one of them for a drink. If she gives me a drink and then offers to get some water for my camels, I'll know she is the one you have chosen and that you have kept your promise to my master.
(Genesis 24:12-14, CEV)

The servant is aware that the task is not something that he can really do on his own. Sure, he could wander around town, find the hottest unmarried gal, and say, “Hey, wouldja like to marry a millionaire?” But the servant has shown himself loyal to Abraham, and so he wants to do better than “good enough”. The servant, faced with this challenge, does what I often forget to do. He asks Yahweh for help.

The servant does tell make a precise request to Yahweh as to just what sort of woman he expects that God will direct him to. Yet, he is very specific in stating what signs he wants God to use to reveal his (God’s) desire. Now, the particular indications alone would likely lead the servant to a good woman, one who is certainly very hospitable, but the servant is expecting Yahweh to ensure that the particular woman he desires to marry Isaac will be the one to give the servant a drink and offer to water his camels.

I’m not sure about the practice of asking God for a particular sign, but it’s certainly better than not asking him for help or ignoring his direction. As with the discussion of should I ask for more details or simply press forth (or a balance), the question is valid, but the key is obeying Yahweh’s commands, seeking his help, and worshiping him.