Every consumer from one time or another has been a victim of false advertising. Maybe you bought something online after watching a late-night infomercial and the product never lived up to its guarantee. This disillusionment has also crossed over into biblical teaching, spoiled by self-seeking television evangelists. Subsequently, when individual’s read a promise in the Bible, demonic thoughts like “that sounds too good to be true” may enter your mind.
And the servant took ten of his master’s camels and departed, taking some of all his master’s treasures with him; thus he journeyed to Mesopotamia [between the Tigris and the Euphrates], to the city of Nahor [Abraham’s brother]. 11 And he made his camels to kneel down outside the city by a well of water at the time of the evening when women go out to draw water. 12 And he said, O Lord, God of my master Abraham, I pray You, cause me to meet with good success today, and show kindness to my master Abraham. 13 See, I stand here by the well of water, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming to draw water, Genesis 24:10-13.
One of the teachings of Jesus that has stuck with me over the years is Matthew 7:24-27. This occurs at the end of the Sermon on the Mount. Another translation of this passage refers to being a doer of the Word. Perhaps, this message was partially designed for his disciples who may have been going through the motions spiritually. From a modern perspective, Jesus is trying to communicate faith is a way of life, not just a biblical principle.
And let it so be that the girl to whom I say, I pray you, let down your jar that I may drink, and she replies, Drink, and I will give your camels drink also—let her be the one whom You have selected and appointed and indicated for Your servant Isaac [to be a wife to him]; and by it I shall know that You have shown kindness and faithfulness to my master. 15 Before he had finished speaking, behold, out came Rebekah, who was the daughter of Bethuel son of Milcah, who was the wife of Nahor the brother of Abraham, with her water jar on her shoulder. 16 And the girl was very beautiful and attractive, chaste and modest, and unmarried. And she went down to the well, filled her water jar, and came up, Genesis 24:14-16.
Abraham’s servant Eliezer is given the task of finding Isaac a wife. As the executive of Abraham’s estate, he is taking this responsibility seriously. Afraid of failing, Eliezer turns to prayer in the passage above. Based upon Moses’ account of this journey, Eliezer’s prayer is specific, designed to reveal to him Isaac’s future wife. To Eliezer, prayer isn’t just a biblical principle, it’s a way of life to guide your steps daily.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 