QT 10/3/2025 Gen 24:22-31, Making God more than an afterthought

Genesis 24:22–31 (ESV) —

22 When the camels had finished drinking, the man took a gold ring weighing a half shekel, and two bracelets for her arms weighing ten gold shekels, 23 and said, “Please tell me whose daughter you are. Is there room in your father’s house for us to spend the night?” 24 She said to him, “I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, whom she bore to Nahor.” 25 She added, “We have plenty of both straw and fodder, and room to spend the night.” 26 The man bowed his head and worshiped the Lord 27 and said, “Blessed be the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken his steadfast love and his faithfulness toward my master. As for me, the Lord has led me in the way to the house of my master’s kinsmen.” 28 Then the young woman ran and told her mother’s household about these things.

29 Rebekah had a brother whose name was Laban. Laban ran out toward the man, to the spring. 30 As soon as he saw the ring and the bracelets on his sister’s arms, and heard the words of Rebekah his sister, “Thus the man spoke to me,” he went to the man. And behold, he was standing by the camels at the spring. 31 He said, “Come in, O blessed of the Lord. Why do you stand outside? For I have prepared the house and a place for the camels.”

 

NOTE: There are two reactions to the servant of the very rich Abraham. Rebekah is very excited and runs to tell the family first. Laban, upon seeing some gold, runs to the man and implies that he has prepared a place for the servant. The latter seems to be an untruth, since everyone has been running and their doesn't seem to be any time yet made for preparing. In contrast to everyone else, the servant bows his head and worships God when he hears of the girl's parentage. Clearly, God is orchestrating the events. The servant recognizes God's hand and praises God.

 

What do we learn? I think the servant's example is the most practical. It is seeing life from God's perspective and giving him praise for the things that are happening.

 

1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 (ESV) — 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

 

Sometimes, we just live life, forgetting to pray before major decisions and forgetting to give thanks as God works in our life. We are to give thanks in all circumstances, the good and the things we perceive as bad. God is still at work.

 

PONDER:

1. As I live life, what am I perceiving? Opportunities to get rich or the work of God?
2. Do I live life with God as an afterthought or the reason for life?

 

PRAYER: Father, forgive me when I leave you our or forget to thank you in all circumstances. I need to continually give things over to you and trust you in all you do.