His Last Command: Our First PrioritySample

Day 5: Will God’s Will Be Done?

Genesis 24:58 NASB

And she said, “I will go.”

Genesis 24 tells the heartfelt story of Abraham’s faithful servant, assumed to be Eliezer (Gen 15:2), sent to find a wife for his son, Isaac, the son of promise. She needed to be from his own people and not the “daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I live” (Gen 24:3). Before he set out, he was asked to swear an oath that he would only return with a daughter of his own people and that under no circumstances was Isaac to be taken to Mesopotamia.

God had promised the land of Canaan to Abraham and his descendants (Gen. 17:8, 24:6-7), so there could be no other plan but for Isaac to remain in the land and a wife to be brought to him. Then Abraham added one exception: “But if the woman is not willing to follow you, then you will be free from this my oath” (Gen. 24:8).

Here was the plan. The purpose of God was being thought out and strategised. There was only one problem: what if the key player, the woman - was not willing?

This whole thing was resting on her. She would be the wife of Isaac, the mother of Jacob, the mother of Israel. King David would descend from her offspring. Eventually, the Lord Jesus would come to the planet through her lineage.

Eliezer chose 10 of his master’s best camels and loaded them with provisions and gifts - “…The good things of his master’s in his hand”. It must have been an impressive caravan. He set out on a journey of over 1,450km to the city of Nahor in Mesopotamia, travelling at camel speed for nearly a month.

As he approached the city of Nahor, just outside the city, and near the well, he brought the caravan to a halt and had the camels kneel. He petitioned the LORD for His help. He had come this far, and now everything depended on him finding the right woman with a willing heart. He prayed specifically:

Genesis 24:14 NASB

Now may it be that the young woman to whom I say, ‘Please let down your jar so that I may drink,’ and who answers, ‘Drink, and I will water your camels also’—may she be the one whom You have appointed for Your servant Isaac; and by this I will know that You have shown kindness to my master.

One of the most remarkable things about being a human being is our amazing power of free will and choice. God’s purposes ride upon the willing hearts of His people.

How is God’s will done in the earth? Jesus prayed for it, "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” God’s will is done by willing people.

When my will is to do His will, His will is done.

Before Eliezer finished his prayer, beautiful Rebekah came out with her jar to draw water from the well. Eliezer ran up to her and asked for a drink; she obliged, then offered to draw water for his camels also. Ten thirsty camels - she ran back and forth, drawing water then pouring it into the trough for them to drink. Willingness is not just something we think or say - it’s something that we demonstrate.

Proverbs 11:25 NKJV

The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself.

She watered the camels, and they benefited her! She refreshed them, and they refreshed her!

Eliezer thought for sure she was the one, but formal introductions and explanations of his mission and intentions were necessary. Confirmation of family ties, gifts, feasting, and days upon days of conversation, Rebekah’s family found reasons to delay her departure until Eliezer was straight with them, “Do not delay me, since the LORD has prospered my way. Send me away that I may go to my master” (Genesis 24:56).

They replied, “We will consult with her and see what she wants to do.” She was given a choice, which was not always the case in the ancient world. So many things depended upon her saying “yes”. Aren’t you glad she did?

Genesis 24:58 NASB

Then they called Rebekah and said to her, “Will you go with this man?” And she said, “I will go.”

We have to applaud this courageous young woman who made a difficult choice. What if she was not willing? What if she didn’t want to leave her family or move out of her comfort zone? What if she were self-absorbed or fearful?

Mark 16:15 NKJV

And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature.”

John 20:21 NKJV

So, Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”

This is God’s plan for mankind - that everyone hear the good news of Jesus Christ, and He uses people to do it.

But what if we’re not willing? What if we don’t / won’t go? How will God’s message be delivered to a lost and dying world? We are responsible for delivering the message. We can take the message and, through others, send it.

2 Corinthians 5:18-19 MSG

God put the world square with himself through the Messiah, giving the world a fresh start by offering forgiveness of sins. God has given us the task of telling everyone what he is doing. We’re Christ’s representatives.

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Prayer

Lord, I want to have a willing heart. I desire a strong “yes” in my soul to everything you ask of me. I pray that you will remove any fear within me. Help me to trust you more and more each day. I am ready to walk forward in this journey of faith with You.