Eliezer: How Servanthood Took Him to God

Abraham was nearing the end of his life.  Sarah had already died.  Miracle son Isaac was 37 years old at her death and still unmarried. Abraham needed to arrange a marriage for Isaac, but he was unable to travel. He didn’t want Isaac to marry a local Canaanite woman because the marriage must protect the family bloodline.

Eliezer was Abraham’s oldest and most trusted servant. The only other background detail we know is that he was from Damascus.  (see Genesis 15:2) Many speculate that Abraham purchased him while traveling through Damascus as he began the journey God had called him to. 

Eliezer has the longest story in the Bible about a servant’s mission. His story gives us an unexpected example of what it means to be a true servant. Here’s how the story unfolds.

Abraham delegated his patriarchal responsibility of finding a bride for his heir to his servant, Eliezer.  He sends him to where his brother’s family lives.  It was a 450- 500-mile camping trip and would take at least a month to get there.

Eliezer agreed to the mission, but not before Abraham made him swear an oath.  The future of God’s promise depended on this mission. Eliezer took the oath and prepared for the journey.

When he neared the village of Abraham’s brother, he went to the village well where women would come for water.  But before he did, he prayed to God Almighty.  Who taught him that?  Abraham of course. Had Eliezer helped Abraham set up the altars?  Was Eliezer close enough to hear Abraham’s responses to the heavenly voice?

The first woman he met was Rebecca, daughter of Bethuel, Abraham’s great-niece!  Eliezer was so amazed at God’s detailed and swift answer that he fell to the ground and worshipped God right there in front of Rebecca!  When Rebecca invited him home to meet the family, Eliezer repeated the story of his prayer and God’s quick and specific answers.

Rebecca returned with Eliezer and became Isaac’s wife.  The marriage produced Esau and Jacob and secured the bloodline for the patriarchal era.

Eliezer didn’t take the journey hoping to get anything more out of it than fulfilling Abraham’s wishes. He gets my vote for Best Servant because of the following qualities.

His faithfulness

Abraham trusted Eliezer or he wouldn’t have sent him on this important mission. Eliezer didn’t wrestle with his place as a servant.  Servanthood was the way he expressed his character and integrity.

His Attitude

Eliezer didn’t complain about the mission.  He didn’t try to wiggle out of the extensive absence or the uncomfortable conditions.  He was a willing servant.  No, he was more than that; he was an eager servant.

His witness

Eliezer never acted with self-importance.  He gave God credit from beginning to end. He couldn’t stop talking about how God had answered his very specific prayer.  He told Rebecca and later repeated the miracle answer to the family.  God’s specific answer humbled him.  God’s answers should always humble us.

Lessons for Us

In our self-reliant culture, servanthood isn’t a popular belief. No matter our role or position, God’s priority is always about servanthood.  We must learn to serve God with our attitudes, motives, and actions.  His answers show up when we are more faithful than we are self-reliant. Serving God rather than directing him will always bring better results!  

How will you serve God today? What answers wait because you do?  Isn’t it time to find out?