Genesis 24:9-27 // Improving Your Serve

Genesis 24:9 ESV

So the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master and swore to him concerning this matter.

The servant accepted the instructions & made a commitment to follow them.

I understand the instructions you’ve given me.

Does NOT mean I understand the “why”

I submit to your authority over me in this relationship.

I commit to following the guidelines you’ve given me.

“Do you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord...”

implications of this: 9last question I ask at baptism)

“Is it your intention, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to serve the Lord as your personal Lord and Saviour?”

If you have accepted the gift of salvation, you are a servant of God.

We have a wonderful example here of what it means to be a servant.

Genesis 24:11 ESV

And he made the camels kneel down outside the city by the well of water at the time of evening, the time when women go out to draw water.

God has blessed you with common sense, don’t be afraid to use it.

Matthew 10:16 ESV

“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.

I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves...

So be as wise as serpents...

and (so be) as innocent as doves.

Genesis 24:12 ESV

And he said, “O Lord, God of my master Abraham, please grant me success today and show steadfast love to my master Abraham.

The best plans still depend on God’s grace for success.

One of the greatest gifts we have in this country (freedom to do)

Can also be our greatest hindrance.

We forget that we NEED God for success.

Genesis 24:14 ESV

Let the young woman to whom I shall say, ‘Please let down your jar that I may drink,’ and who shall say, ‘Drink, and I will water your camels’—let her be the one whom you have appointed for your servant Isaac. By this I shall know that you have shown steadfast love to my master.”

Understand what it means to be a servant.

(project this onto yourself)

It’s one thing to say, “I am a servant of God.”

But what does that mean to you?

We get an idea of what probably made him a good servant….he knew what it meant to serve.

(v18-20) used adverbs like “quickly” and said she “ran” to describe how she was willing to help the servant.

She committed to watering 10 CAMELS until they were finished!!!!

Genesis 24:21 ESV

The man gazed at her in silence to learn whether the Lord had prospered his journey or not.

Give God the last word.

Even if it seems obvious!!!!

This is an application of a point from last week

LEAVE ROOM FOR NO!!!

You don’t know what the Lord is doing.

Skip ahead to the final point.

Genesis 24:33 ESV

Then food was set before him to eat. But he said, “I will not eat until I have said what I have to say.” He said, “Speak on.”

Remember why you are here.

An intriguing question I was asked recently.

We know why the Holy Spirit came...

But why did Jesus ascend?

Throughout the NT we see Jesus ruling at the right hand of God.

Jesus said He will prepare the kingdom THEN return.

Holy Spirit is sent (among other things) to empower us to be able to join the work Christ is doing.

Point is that you remember your place and your task.

We are free to enjoy some worldly pleasures, but never let them distract you from why you are here.