Origins: The Promise (Genesis 12–25)Sample

By Pastor Dan Hickling

“And the servant said to him, ‘Perhaps the woman will not be willing to follow me to this land. Must I take your son back to the land from which you came?’” Genesis 24:5 (NKJV)

Yesterday, we saw how Abraham commissioned his servant (presumably Eliezer) to travel a far distance to his homeland in order to find a suitable bride for his son. But before launching out, this servant asks some important questions. In essence, he asks, “What if I find someone but she isn’t willing to make such a life-changing decision based on my word alone? Should I bring Isaac along with me so she can see what she’s signing up for?” 

Eliezer is suggesting the mission’s chance of success would increase greatly if such a woman could see Isaac instead of just hear about him. To be honest, that makes a lot of sense, doesn’t it? But pay careful attention to Abraham’s answer. “Beware that you do not take my son back there. The Lord God of heaven, who took me from my father’s house and from the land of my family, and who spoke to me and swore to me, saying, ‘To your descendants I give this land,’ He will send His angel before you, and you shall take a wife for my son from there’” (Genesis 24:6-7 NKJV).

Wow! Notice how Abraham’s faith rises to the surface here. As badly as he wanted to see this venture succeed (don’t forget he’s the one funding it, and his son’s future is on the line), he knew its success was based on God’s Word that his “descendants” would inherit all that had been promised. The future wouldn’t include any Canaanites. His daughter-in-law would ultimately descend from his family tree. 

Abraham trusted God’s Word above what he could then see, which is the very definition of faith. But notice, too, that this woman would also exhibit the same sense of faith. She wouldn’t be able to see Isaac at first but would have to trust in the word of Eliezer. Whoever this woman was, she would have to be a woman of faith; which is exactly what Abraham (and God) wanted.

Our application is self-evident but bears reminding. We need to be like Abraham and the bride-to-be. We need to put our trust in what God has ultimately promised, not what we can immediately see.

DIG: How did Abraham’s faith come to the surface here?

DISCOVER: How do you define faith?

DO: How are you applying faith at this point in your life?