Patience Is a Virtue: Genesis 24:10-21
Life is best lived when our prayers lead us to participating in God’s will. Unfortunately, we tend to be in a hurry to accomplish our goals. It’s not uncommon for us to rush God’s provision and get out in front of His work. If we’re not careful, we find ourselves doing our own thing instead of joining God in His work.
Abraham’s steward heads to the city of Nahor, Abraham’s brother. The steward fulfills the promise he made to Abraham. He goes to Mesopotamia to find a wife for Isaac among Abraham’s kin.
When he arrives at the city, the steward goes to the well and makes the camels kneel around the time the women of the city would come out to draw water. He puts himself in a position of needing to be served. This act might feel chauvinistic, but it truly isn’t. The steward is looking for a bride for his master’s son. He wants to find a wife for Isaac who displays compassion and kindness. He wants to find a wife who will treat his master’s son well.
There is evidence of this in the steward’s action. As the steward waits for the women to come out, the steward prays to God. He asks the Lord to make His will known. Rather than ask for a significant supernatural miracle he asks for a humble sign. He asks for the Lord’s provision be found in the one who comes out and offers to give him a drink and water his camels.
Before he finishes his prayer, Rebekah comes to the well. After filling her jar, the steward approaches her. She offers him a drink and then turns to water his camels. As Rebekah works, the steward sits in silence and observes.
This is further evidence the steward is genuinely seeking the Lord. Instead of giving orders or interrupting Rebekah, the steward sits back and observes. He tries to discern the Lord’s will. He is patient and waits for God’s truth to come to him.
The steward waits to see if the Lord prospered his journey. The steward knows genuine success only comes from God’s hand. The steward could have marched into the city, demanded to speak to Abraham’s family, bragged about Abraham’s wealth, and watched as Abraham’s kin paraded their daughters in front of him to get their hands on whatever wealth he brought as a dowry. Instead, the steward sits back and allows God to work.
There are people who believe God helps those who help themselves. Abraham’s steward knows the fallacy in this thought. It is those who wait upon the Lord that renew their strength. It is those who give God space to put His plan in motion who see His hands at work. God invites us to join Him in His work. Like the steward, life is best lived when our prayers lead us to participating in God’s will.
