Day 26 -The Servant’s Heart

January 26, 2024

Then he prayed, “Lord God… May it be that when I say to a young woman, ‘Please let down your jar that I may have a drink,’ and she says, ‘Drink, and I’ll water your camels, too – let her be the one you have chosen for your servant Isaac…” Before he had finished, Rebekah came out… “Drink, my lord…I’ll draw water for your camels, too.” —Genesis 24:12- 19a

Rebekah is a somewhat minor character in Genesis. Most people remember her as Isaac’s wife and as a deceiver. Indeed, Rebekah did deceive Isaac many years later, manipulating his lack of sight so her favorite son Jacob would get his father’s blessing rather than Esau (Genesis 27). However, let’s look at another portrait of Rebekah today.

Abraham had sent his servant to find the perfect wife for Isaac, and the servant responded well. He asked God for guidance with a specific request. The woman he would choose would have to offer him a drink, and she would have to water all his camels. This was neither an easy nor safe task. In ancient Israel, wells were often located underground at the foot of slippery, steep stairs cut into stone.

Moreover, carrying several heavy jars of water as Rebekah did here would exhaust anyone, let alone a young woman. Yet Rebekah offered without hesitation. In doing so, she showed three key traits of a godly woman. She had compassion on a servant who was likely tired, dirty and thirsty from long travels. She showed generosity, offering to complete a difficult task over and over for a stranger. Finally, she asked nothing for herself in return, emulating the attitude of a true servant.

Sometimes God will ask us to do things that feel as hard as carrying water jars up steep stairs again and again. Sometimes serving others, whether they’re strangers or those we love, will be difficult. Rebekah’s story can inspire us to do it and show the world the generous God we have.