Topical Encyclopedia Biblical Context: Abraham's charge to his servant is a significant event recorded in the Book of Genesis, specifically in Genesis 24. This chapter details the mission Abraham entrusts to his senior servant, often identified as Eliezer of Damascus, to find a suitable wife for his son Isaac. This narrative is pivotal in the Abrahamic covenant's unfolding, ensuring the continuation of Abraham's lineage through Isaac. Scriptural Account: The account begins with Abraham, now advanced in age, calling his chief servant to undertake a solemn task. Genesis 24:2-4 states: "So Abraham instructed the chief servant of his household, who managed all he owned, 'Place your hand under my thigh, and I will have you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites among whom I am dwelling. But you will go to my country and my kindred to take a wife for my son Isaac.'" Cultural and Theological Significance: The act of placing a hand under the thigh was a customary practice in ancient Near Eastern cultures, symbolizing a solemn oath. This gesture underscored the gravity of the mission and the servant's commitment to fulfilling Abraham's wishes. The charge reflects Abraham's desire to maintain the purity of his lineage by avoiding intermarriage with the Canaanites, who were seen as morally and religiously incompatible with the covenantal promises given to Abraham and his descendants. Mission and Divine Guidance: Abraham's instructions emphasize reliance on divine guidance. He reassures his servant in Genesis 24:7 : "The LORD, the God of heaven, who brought me from my father's house and my native land, who spoke to me and swore to me, 'To your offspring I will give this land'—He will send His angel before you, so that you can take a wife for my son from there." This assurance highlights Abraham's faith in God's providence and the belief that God would actively guide the servant in fulfilling the task. Outcome of the Charge: The servant's journey to Mesopotamia, specifically to the city of Nahor, is marked by prayer and divine intervention. Upon reaching a well outside the city, the servant prays for success, asking for a sign to identify the right woman for Isaac. Genesis 24:12-14 records his prayer: "O LORD, God of my master Abraham, please grant me success today, and show kindness to my master Abraham. Here I am, standing beside the spring, and the daughters of the townspeople are coming out to draw water. May it be that when I say to a young woman, 'Please let down your jar that I may drink,' and she replies, 'Drink, and I will water your camels as well'—let her be the one You have appointed for Your servant Isaac." Rebekah, the granddaughter of Abraham's brother Nahor, fulfills this sign, demonstrating hospitality and kindness. The servant's encounter with Rebekah and her family leads to her agreement to marry Isaac, thus fulfilling Abraham's charge. Legacy and Impact: Abraham's charge to his servant is a testament to the patriarch's faith and obedience to God's promises. It underscores the importance of divine guidance in fulfilling God's covenantal plans and highlights the role of faith and prayer in decision-making processes. The successful completion of this mission ensures the continuation of the Abrahamic line through Isaac and Rebekah, setting the stage for the future development of the Israelite nation. Subtopics Abraham is Blessed by Melchizedek Abraham: Age of, at Different Periods Abraham: Ancestors of, Idolatrous Abraham: Deferring to Lot, Chooses Hebron Abraham: He Purchases a Place for Her Burial, and Buries Her in a Cave Abraham: His Questions About the Destruction of the Righteous and Wicked in Sodom Abraham: How Regarded by his Descendants Abraham: Independence of, in Character Abraham: Lives in Gerar; Deceives Abimelech Concerning Sarah, his Wife Abraham: Lives in Ur, But Removes to Haran Abraham: Provides a Wife for Isaac Abraham: Sarah, his Wife, Dies Abraham: Sends Hagar and Ishmael Away Abraham: Trial of his Faith in the offering of Isaac Abraham: Witnesses the Destruction of Sodom Miscegenation: Forbidden by Abraham Related Terms |