Monday, August 31, 2015
Perfect Ten, Really?
Genesis 24:1-20
Abraham's servant, Eliezer, is tasked with finding Isaac a bride. She cannot only be pleasant to look at, but must also possess a good heart. Society puts a lot of emphasis in beauty. It is the reason why businesses dealing with beauty enhancement, fashion, physical fitness and weight loss management are lucrative. They all contribute to making one look beautiful --- on the outside. However, Eliezer is looking for a woman who is also beautiful --- on the inside. So he devices a test. Whoever offers him a drink and also volunteers to provide water for his camels, is a good contender. Rebekah does just that. She offers him a drink and does not hesitate to also take care of his camels. Biblical scholars point out that water jugs in those days are quite big and heavy. Moreover, when camels travel long distances for more than a week, they can easily consume 25 gallons of water. Eliezer has ten camels. You do the Math. No wonder, he is quite impressed with her! She is not only kind and considerate, but also hardworking. In other words, her beauty emanates from a genuinely good heart. So, here is the question for us to ponder: How much time and effort do we honestly spend in developing our inner beauty? Patience, kindness, industriousness, and joy are the beauty treatments that help us become truly lovely --- on the inside. Maybe, it is high time for us to check into the Spa of Proverbs 31 and soak deeply in the mud of the Virtuous Woman.
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Ah, yes. A virtuous woman, who can find?! Haha, sounds like Issac lucked out! Jk
ReplyDeleteI aways enjoy reading passages in the bible when the men and women look unto the Lord, for guidance and direction in decision. Also, interesting from this weeks passage, is that Abraham instructed his servant to NOT find a Canaanite. From our reading a few weeks ago, Noah had cursed Canaan! I assume that would be a wise decision from a fathers standpoint?
God can find that "virtuous woman" for you, Eric. Isaac did not get lucky. God provided like He will for you, too. No joke. Haha
DeleteIt is indeed wiser to listen to our elders, after all, they are wiser and have experienced more struggles in life than the "spring chickens".
It just occurred to me that Eliezer is the first recorded matchmaker, ever! Haha
ReplyDeleteOooops! Actually, God is! He paired the first couple on earth.
ReplyDeletebefore there was eharmony there was eliezer.
ReplyDeletethanks for posting Jan! i was encouraged by this passage and your reflection on it.
we really do focus alot on the outer beauty and though it's important to look our best and take care of our health, we do spend alot more time on outward beauty than developing inner beauty.
my thought on online dating: i think that it can be a useful tool for meeting people with keeping in perspective that God really is the matchmaker. yet how much better to be able to meet someone and get to know them in the context of community..
I totally agree Yvonne! Physical community > online. God has plans for us all. We must be able to practice patience and focus our mind on developing our inner beauty by spending more time with our true significant other ;) we all need to grow to be more like our first love Jesus!
DeleteOne helpful exercise for you "single ones" to do is to discover what traits you would like to see in your future helpmate. Be very specific in making your list of those characteristics. Then, offer up the list in prayer to our Heavenly Matchmaker. This exercise is not for God's sake; it is for yours. See, you will easily recognize God's intended for you when He finally delivers him/her in front of you. To double check, simply look through your inventory to make sure s/he is God's answered prayer for you.
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