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A Servant’s Prayer, A Woman’s Heart: Lessons from Rebekah in Genesis 24
When we think about acts of service, we often picture small, manageable gestures—a kind word, a quick favor, or perhaps a simple task checked off a list. But what happens when service demands more? What if it requires strength, sacrifice, and an attitude of joyful generosity?
In Genesis 24:12–21, we meet Rebekah, a young woman whose heart for service changed the course of history.
A Prayer for Marriage
The chapter opens with Abraham commissioning his trusted servant to find a wife for his son, Isaac—not from among the local Canaanites, but from his own family lineage. The servant embarks on a long, 400-mile journey with ten camels to the city of Nahor in Mesopotamia, what is now modern-day Iraq.
Tired and in need of guidance, the servant prays a very specific prayer at the town’s well:
"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 also’—let her be the one whom you have appointed for your servant Isaac."
This might sound like a peculiar request—why such a specific request? Why the detail about watering camels?
Generosity Measured in Gallons
Consider this: a single camel can drink up to 53 gallons of water in just three minutes. With ten camels, Rebekah could have drawn up to 530 gallons—that’s over 4,200 pounds of water!
This wasn’t a casual or effortless offer. It was a remarkable act of service, revealing something critical about her character.
What Did the Servant’s Test Reveal?
By asking for such a specific sign, the servant wasn’t being picky—he was seeking a woman of character. The kind of woman who would offer not only a stranger a drink, but also tend to his thirsty animals was someone who demonstrated:
Generosity – going above and beyond what was asked.
Hospitality – welcoming and serving a stranger.
Work ethic – willingly engaging in an exhausting task without complaint.
Kindness – seeing a need and meeting it, unprompted.
This wasn’t about finding someone who was simply polite—it was about discovering someone whose spirit reflected God’s steadfast love and willingness to serve with joy.
Rebekah: A Woman of Action
Before the servant even finishes his prayer, Rebekah appears. The text paints a clear picture:
She is from Abraham’s family, unknowingly checking the box of lineage.
She is beautiful and a virgin, a detail that reflects purity in that cultural context.
And most importantly—she does exactly what the servant prayed for. She draws water for him and offers to water all his camels too.
The servant watches silently, discerning whether the Lord has made his journey successful. While Rebekah has passed the visible test, the servant still needs confirmation: is she part of Abraham’s family? Will she return with him?
He waits with anticipation, but Rebekah’s actions have already set her apart.
Serving with Joy Today
Rebekah’s story challenges us to rethink how we serve. Do we give only what’s required, or are we willing to go beyond? Do we act out of routine or obligation, or from a generous and joyful heart?
This week, consider:
What’s one act of service you can do with a Rebekah-like spirit?
Is there a friend, family member, or neighbor you can bless not just with a task, but with intentional kindness?
How can you encourage someone else to serve joyfully?
Her Part in the Larger Story
Over the next ten weeks, we will consider ten different women. How did each woman fit into God’s larger story and advance His kingdom? Rebekah is one of the matriarchs who bears Jacob and Esau. Jacob has 12 sons who become the 12 tribes of Israel. God’s redemptive story is advanced through Rebekah’s heart of service.
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