Generosity of Abraham

 

“By this I will know that you have shown kindness to my master.” Gen 24: 14

 

This was a short prayer said by the servant tasked by Abraham to find a suitable wife for his son, Isaac.  The servant, according to the tradition called Eliezer, was asked by Abraham to find the bride from his own family. Eliezer was not told anything more. But when he came to Abraham’s place, he stood near a spring and prayed to God saying, “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.” (v.14)

 

Why did Eliezer need to place this unnecessary and hard test to find the bride? Was it not enough just to find a girl from Abraham’s relative? This would have made his job easy. But this test increases the odds against his success. 

 

It is common knowledge that drawing water from a well is difficult, let alone watering several camels. But Eliezer ups the stakes by this test. One reason could be his loyalty to Abraham. Eliezer was not willing to merely accept any lady as his young master’s wife, but he wanted to make sure that she reflects the generosity of Abraham. 

 

We know Abraham was generous with his brother’s son Lot when he allowed Lot to take the best portion of the land (Gen 13: 1-12). His generosity to strangers was more impressive: he prepared the best meal and showed the best hospitality by saying, “Let me get you something to eat, so you can be refreshed and then go on your way—now that you have come to your servant” (Gen 18: 5). Little did he know that they were the angels of the Lord who would give the news of the birth of his son to him. 

 

Now, Eliezer wanted a bride who would match this generous master. Rebecca, here, fulfilled that expectation perfectly. She was not just helping a stranger to quench his thirst, but willingly volunteered to water his camel. She very well knew that this would be stressful and tiresome task. But she voluntarily chose to do it. 

 

It is hard to choose whom to appreciate. Whether to praise the sincerity of the servant or the generosity of Rebecca or even to think of Abraham’s character which inspired Eliezer. But one thing is sure, when we are generous with others, that generosity comes around to us in different ways.