Genesis 24

Order of Service

• Scripture Reading — Genesis 24:1-67
• Sermon
• Scripture Reading — Romans 10:1-21
• Closing Prayer

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Sermon Title: The Faith of a Servant and the Providence of God

Scripture: Genesis 24:1-67

I. Eleazar as a Man of Shared and Demonstrated Faith

A. Abraham's faith was well known throughout Mesopotamia and the surrounding region, spreading along trade routes B. Eleazar, originally from Damascus and a Gentile, shared Abraham's faith — he was the trusted steward who would have been Abraham's heir before Isaac was born (Genesis 15:2) C. Abraham's complete trust in Eleazar for this critical mission reflects Eleazar's proven faithfulness

1. The journey was approximately 450–500 miles one way — a round trip of 8–10 months
2. Abraham gave precise, faith-filled instructions: find a wife from his own kindred, do not bring Isaac back, trust God's angel to go before you

II. Eleazar's Prayer and God's Specific Answers

A. Eleazar prayed for a specific sign at the well: the woman who offers water to both him and his camels

1. Watering 10 thirsty camels was hours of arduous work — approximately 20 gallons per camel
2. Rebekah fulfilled every detail of the sign before he finished praying B. God's providence was hidden but deliberate throughout the narrative — no miracle, no audible word, no restatement of the covenant, yet God directed every detail
3. The servant could have failed; the sign could have been missed; Laban could have refused; Rebekah might have been unwilling
4. God steered through every potential hazard

III. Eleazar as a Preacher of the Gospel

A. Before eating, Eleazar declared who God is and what he has done — effectively preaching the gospel to a household that may have included idol worshippers (Genesis 24:34-48)

1. Verse 35: "The Lord has greatly blessed my master" — presenting God as real and active, not a god of wood or stone
2. Verse 40: He calls God the one "before whom I have walked" — extending the faith as his own, not merely Abraham's
3. Verse 42: He prays again publicly, demonstrating continuing dependence on God B. This narrative directly parallels Romans 10:13-15
4. How will they call on one they have not believed in? — The Mesopotamians had not known this God
5. How will they believe without hearing? — Eleazar brought the word of the Lord to them
6. How will they hear without someone preaching? — Eleazar was the preacher
7. How will they preach unless they are sent? — Abraham sent Eleazar; God prospered the sending

IV. Rebekah as a Type of the Called Soul

A. Rebekah's kindness and character were the very qualities Eleazar had prayed for — God had prepared her B. Her willingness to leave family and homeland mirrors the response of faith (Genesis 24:58)

1. Commentators note a parallel to Ruth leaving her people to cleave to the promises of God
2. Her being adorned and presented as a bride reflects imagery of Psalm 45 — the bride prepared for the king
3. The blessing spoken over her — "may your offspring possess the gate of those who hate him" — connects to Galatians 3 and the Offspring who are heirs of the promise

V. God's Providence as the Central Theme

A. Four participants act in hesed (loyal love): Abraham, Eleazar, Rebekah, and God himself B. God was the sole cause of all events — Eleazar's own summary, "The Lord has led me," is the model of the entire story C. Even Laban recognized it: "The thing has come from the Lord" (Genesis 24:50) D. Human responsibility was also evident — Eleazar faithfully carried out his commission, trusted God in prayer, and praised God even before his assignment was completed E. God's word does not return void — the witness left in Mesopotamia was not without effect (Isaiah 55:11)