Tag Archives: Eliezer

Who is this Man?

Posted on May 29, 2023 by expressyourself4him

Whenever you meet someone for the first time, initial impressions play a part in whether or not you will call this individual a friend or foe. The context of the passage below begins as Isaac goes out to a well to pray. This isn’t just a community well, this is Beer-lahai-roi . This name was given to this place by Abraham who had a divine moment here, referring to this place as the well to the Living One Who sees me.

And Rebekah looked up, and when she saw Isaac, she dismounted from the camel. 65 For she [had] said to the servant, Who is that man walking across the field to meet us? And the servant [had] said, He is my master. So she took a veil and concealed herself with it, Genesis 24:64-65.

Since the introduction of the Lone Ranger in 1938 and television show a decade later, Hollywood has used anticipation as a vital tool to grab the attention of viewers. Once the Lone Ranger was portrayed as a hero, people wanted to know “who is this masked man?” From Rebekah’s perspective, she wanted to know who is this man approaching their caravan?

Jesus answered her, All who drink of this water will be thirsty again. 14 But whoever takes a drink of the water that I will give him shall never, no never, be thirsty any more. But the water that I will give him shall become a spring of water welling up (flowing, bubbling) [continually] within him unto (into, for) eternal life. 15 The woman said to Him, Sir, give me this water, so that I may never get thirsty nor have to come [continually all the way] here to draw. 16 At this, Jesus said to her, Go, call your husband and come back here. 17 The woman answered, I have no husband. Jesus said to her, You have spoken truly in saying, I have no husband. 18 For you have had five husbands, and the man you are now living with is not your husband. In this you have spoken truly. 19 The woman said to Him, Sir, I see and understand that You are a prophet. John 4:13-19.

Rebekah’s eagerness is similar to another woman in the Bible. Just as Rebekah met Eliezer at a well in the desert, a Samaritan woman has a similar experience with Jesus. Jesus uses thirst for water to turn their conversation into a meaningful talk that elicits spiritual hunger within this woman’s heart. As she turns toward home, she begins to ponder, “who is this man who knows so much about my life?” This type of hunger leads to salvation, Acts 4:12, securing their eternal destination in heaven, 1 John 5:12-13.

by Jay Mankus

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Not Just a Biblical Principle… A Way of Life

Posted on May 14, 2023 by expressyourself4him

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

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Fellowshipping All Night Long

Posted on May 13, 2023 by expressyourself4him

As a former youth pastor, something about staying up all night at church with friends seems like a good idea on paper. Of course, the next day, you’ll be napping or sleeping on and off all day. Nonetheless, a church lock-in is the first event I ever attended in high school at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church. Between all the games and group activities, I was introduced to the concept fellowshipping all night long. While new friends came and left, I ended up sticking around as a volunteer throughout college.

Then they ate and drank, he and the men who were with him, and stayed there all night. And in the morning they arose, and he said. Send me away to my master, Genesis 24:54.

Moses tells a story about a dinner feast that lasted all night long as well. Perhaps, this was the first ever rehearsal dinner for a wedding. The only problem is the groom, and his family was not present, just Eliezer, the executive of Abraham’s estate. Prior to eating, Eliezer recounts his journey, prayer and divine meeting, with Rebekah. The tone set by Eliezer opens the door for family members to share accounts of Rebekah’s childhood, life and her relationships with other members of the family.

And on the first day of the week, when we were assembled together to break bread [[a]the Lord’s Supper], Paul discoursed with them, intending to leave the next morning; and he kept on with his message until midnight. 8 Now there were numerous lights in the upper room where we were assembled, 9 And there was a young man named Eutychus sitting in the window. He was borne down with deep sleep as Paul kept on talking still longer, and [finally] completely overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was picked up dead. 10 But Paul went down and bent over him and embraced him, saying, Make no ado; his life is within him. 11 When Paul had gone back upstairs and had broken bread and eaten [with them], and after he had talked confidentially and communed with them for a considerable time—until daybreak [in fact]—he departed, Acts 20:7-11.

If you have ever attended a Christian conference, retreat or spiritual revival, the Holy Spirit tends to draw people close together in a short period of time. This is often expediated as individuals become vulnerable by confessing sins, opening up about something personal or sharing their testimony. During a gathering of Christians at one home, the apostle Paul speaks all night long, causing one teenager to fall asleep. While some daily conversations can be extremely boring, fellowshipping all night long about God ignites a fire in souls that binds believers together in perfect harmony.

by Jay Mankus

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Should I Stay or Should I Go Now?

Posted on May 3, 2023 by expressyourself4him

The lyrics of Should I Stay or Should I Go was written in 1981. However, this Clash hit song was released on a 45 record a year later with Should I Stay or Should I Go on Side A. Meanwhile, side B wasn’t as memorable: Straight to Hell. Co-founder of the Clash and co-writer of Should I Stay or Should I Go, Mick Jones was forced to leave this band in 1983. Subsequently, there is speculation that Mick may have been contemplating this for a while.

But [Rebekah’s] brother and mother said, Let the girl stay with us a few days—at least ten; then she may go. 56 But [the servant] said to them, Do not hinder and delay me, seeing that the Lord has caused me to go prosperously on my way. Send me away, that I may go to my master, Genesis 24:55-56.

From a spiritual perspective, one young woman of the Bible was forced to choose between her family or her future. Abraham is the first recorded father in the Bible to play an active role in selecting his son’s future wife. Abraham entrusted the manager of his estate, Eliezer, to fulfill this mission. After praying for God’s blessing on his search, Rebekah walks out toward him immediately following the conclusion of his prayer.

And they said, We will call the girl and ask her [what is] her desire. 58 So they called Rebekah and said to her, Will you go with this man? And she said, I will go, Genesis 24:57-58.

The context of today’s passage is just before a family feast. Eliezer shares his encounter with Rebekah as well as the events leading up to this God instance. After Rebekah’s family grants Eliezer’s requests for her to become Isaac’s husband, she must choose between her family and her future. Rather than deciding for her, Rebekah is asked to decide if she wants to stay a few days to be with her girlfriends or leave immediately. Rebekah chooses the future, eager to begin a new life with a man she’s never met of seen before. This is true faith.

by Jay Mankus

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