Read Genesis 24:42-56

“Do not hinder me, since the LORD has prospered my way; send me away so that I may go to my master.”” (Genesis 24:56)

This 24th chapter in the Book of Genesis is one of the most unique chapters in the Bible. It’s all about the journey of the servant of Abraham who goes to find a bride for Abraham’s son, Isaac. The servant in this chapter, while nameless, was probably Abraham’s most favored servant named Eliezer — the original heir before Abraham had children (see Genesis 15:2).

More importantly, this servant seemed to have as much faith in the LORD God as Abraham himself! We see this most notably in his faithful prayers to God (see verse 12) and his humble worship toward God (see verse 26).

After a series of confirming events, the servant of Abraham saw God’s clear path forward and knew that his journey had been prospered by the Lord. The perfect bride for his master’s son, Isaac, had been found. Her name was Rebekah. The only thing that remained was to take her back with him to the land of Canaan where Abraham and Isaac dwelt.

However, the family of Rebekah was trying to delay things. They wanted more time and more memories with her (see verse 55). To us, that probably seems like a reasonable request, but to the servant of Abraham this was unreasonable. He was urgent and unwilling to delay. We get the strong sense that the servant of Abraham wanted to strike while the iron was hot, and move forward through the door that the Lord had opened.

And so he petitions Rebekah’s family: “Do not hinder me, since the LORD has prospered my way; send me away so that I may go to my master.”” (Genesis 24:56)

Sure enough his demands were met and he took Rebekah back with him to marry Abraham’s son, Isaac. This shows us the incredible prowess that the servant of Abraham had to the Lord’s leading. When he knew God prospered his way he could not wait!

I wonder — how often do we sit around and delay all while the Lord has prospered our way? Was this not the great sin of Israel when they first arrived at the border of the promise land? God had already prospered their way to take the land, but instead of taking it by faith, they delayed in fear and gave place to murmuring.

Let it not be so with us! Christ has given us the victory and prospered our way before us. Therefore, let us move forward boldly by faith into the works which He has prepared beforehand!

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”
(Ephesians 2:10)

To my knowledge there is only one time that Jesus ever commanded His disciples to wait. It was for the promise of the Holy Spirit (see Acts 1:4). But once the Holy Spirit came and empowered them, a new commandment took its place: Go!

“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.”
(Mark 16:15)

Share the good news!

Make disciples!

Teach and be taught!

Grow in God’s grace!

Cast your cares upon Him!

Study to show yourself approved to God!

These are all just a few active commands in the New Testament which God has already promised to prosper for us if we act now. So let us not delay any longer. To delay is to be idle, and to be idle leads to idle talking and godless murmuring just as Israel did (see 2 Timothy 2:16).

Instead, may we be like the servant of Abraham who can’t wait any longer, but must move forward in the prosperity of God’s ways for us. Whatever it is that God’s called you to do today — do it; and do it urgently with all your might.

“For all things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose.”
(Romans 8:28)

“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
(1 Corinthians 15:57)

“For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.”
(2 Corinthians 1:20)