A TRUSTWORTHY SERVANT: THE EXAMPLE OF ELIEZER, August 6th, 2023

CENTRAL THOUGHT
A Trustworthy servant focuses all his attention on this master.

HYMN: I am thine O’ Lord.

TEXT: GEN.15:1-4; GEN.24:1-67.

INTRODUCTION:
The Bible uses several metaphors to describe the relationship of Christians to their God, and each of them examines it from a different perspective to reveal different truths. One of the most prolific metaphors is that God as Master and His people as servants.
A servant is one who performs service for another. Servants are entrusted with tasks according to their capability, integrity, honesty, and trust. To be a trustworthy servant, that person must be one who is worthy of being relied upon. An example of a trustworthy servant in the Bible is Eliezer, the oldest servant of Abraham’s home whom he sent to Padan Aram to take a wife for his son Isaac. In this study we shall examine the life of Eliezer and draw valuable lessons.

LESSON OBJECTIVES:
At the end of the lesson, we should be able to:

  1. Describe the person of Eliezer.
  2. Explain what it means to be a trustworthy servant.
  3. See the steps Eliezer took to ensure that he obeyed his master’s instruction.
  4. Draw lesson from the life of Eliezer; and
  5. Highlight the qualities of a trustworthy servant.

BIBLE TRUTH:

QUESTION 1A.) WHO WAS ELIEZER? GEN.15:2-3; GEN.24:2
Eliezer whose name means “my God is help” was the eldest servant of Abraham (Abraham had 318 trained servants in his household. Gen.14:14). He hails from Damascus and was Abraham’s most trusted servant whom he sent to get a wife (Rebekah) for his son Isaac. He obtained Rebekah as a bride for Isaac.

QUESTION 1B.) WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A TRUSTWORTHY SERVANT?
A trustworthy servant can be defined as one who is reliable, loyal, faithful, and dependable. A trustworthy servant can also be defined as anyone who discharges his/her duties with little or no supervision and makes most use of available resources. Trustworthy servants are respectful, humble, and obedient. They diligently listen to instructions and obey them.

QUESTION 2.) WHAT MADE ABRAHAM TO TRUST ELIEZER? GEN.24:2-9.
Eliezer had faithfully ruled over all that Abraham had, so he was tested and found trustworthy. He was very respectful addressing Abraham and Isaac as “my master”. Hence Abraham committed into his hands the matter of seeking a wife for his son Isaac.

QUESTION 3.) WHAT STEPS DID ELIEZER TAKE TO ENSURE THAT HE OBEYED HIS MASTER’S INSTRUCTIONS?
GEN.24:9-14

  1. He promised to obey Abraham by swearing; Abraham asked him to put his hands under his thigh to accomplish the given task. Putting his hands under the thigh of his master as a seal of solemn oath to his concerning this matter, he promised to get a wife for his son Isaac.
  2. As a good servant, he thought through the assignment and wanted to clear every doubt about it. Therefore, he asked reasonable questions to which the master gave adequate answers which now put his mind at rest.
  3. He made adequate preparation for the journey, and in faith set out taking with him ten camels loaded with jewelries, garments, and other gifts.
  4. He subjected his plans to the God of his master whom he had come to know. After travelling many miles to the city of Nahor, the servant bowed before God in prayer, requesting for guidance.
    Abraham’s servant acknowledged his own weakness and sought divine guidance from God. He rested in His providence to use ordinary events to reveal His will for Isaac. God answered the servant’s prayer before he even finished presenting it.

QUESTION 4.) WHAT LESSONS CAN WE LEARN FROM THE LIFE OF ELIEZER?
Some of the lessons that can be learnt from this study includes:

  1. Obedience: Eliezer was obedient and loyal to his master and insistent on seeing his responsibility through to the end. It is expected of a servant to obey his master in all things provided the bidding of the master is not contradicting God’s will. (Eph.6:5-6; Col.3:22).
  2. Diligence: Eliezer was also diligent in his business that his master entrusted him with the task of seeking a wife for the son. As servants of God, we should be diligent in our Master’s business. Lk.12:37.
  3. Proper planning and preparation: Eliezer didn’t just embark on the journey, he adequately prepared for it…. A trustworthy servant prepares appropriately for any assigned task. When God gives a project, do you make proper preparation? Lk.14:28.
  4. Interested in his masters welfare: Eliezer so sought the good of his master that he declined to eat until he had disclosed the purpose of his mission. When he was asked to speak he introduced himself as Abraham’s servant and expressed the desire of his master to the family. The servant is not to please himself but the master ( Jn.6:38).
  5. Prayer: Eliezer was a pious man who believed in the power of prayer. He prayed at the city gate for guidance. We can see from his prayer he was a God-fearing servant like his master Abraham. As soon as he knew Rebekah was God’s choice for Isaac he gave thanks to God for leading him aright. The Lord’s guidance must always be sought while carrying out life’s tasks/ assignments.
  6. Identifying with God’s Will: Abraham sought a wife for Isaac among his brethren and not from the Canaanites, who were sinful people. Similarly, when seeking a life partner, God’s purpose and His will must be pursued. The choice must be a believer and not an unbeliever.(2 Cor.6:14-18). Apart from marriage it is important we must identify with God’s will in every area of our lives.

QUESTION 5.) HOW CAN WE BE TRUSTWORTHY SERVANTS?
Trust is valuable. It affects everything. Being trusted by others is one of the things you must possess to go far in life and to achieve your good success.
Whenever we find ourselves, we can be trustworthy servants by:

  1. Depending on the Holy Spirit.
  2. Being honest and loyal.
  3. Doing the right things all the time.
  4. Being respectful, humble, and obedient.
  5. Being truthful at all times.
  6. Pointing others to the Master and not seeking self-glory. Jn.1:29-30; 3:30.

DAILY LIVING APPLICATION:
It is essentially required that we prove ourselves worthy of trust as we run the Christian race. Abraham chose Eliezer for this major task because he was trustworthy. Would God choose you for an important task? God is trustworthy and as His children we are expected to be trustworthy.

MEMORY VERSE:
1 COR.4:2
“ Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy”.

DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE

Mon: WHO WAS ELIEZER?
Gen.15:2-3; 24:2.

Tue: WHY DID ABRAHAM TRUST ELIEZER?
Gen.24:2-9.

Wed: ELIEZER’S STEPS IN OBEDIENCE.
Gen.24:9-14.

Thu: LESSONS FROM THE LIFE OF ELIEZER.
Eph.6:5-6; Col.3:22.

Fri: LESSONS FROM THE LIFE OF ELIEZER.
Lk. 12:37; 14:28; Jn.6:38.

Sat: LESSONS FROM THE LIFE OF ELIEZER.
2 Cor.6:14-18; 1 Thess.5:17.