What role does faith play in recognizing God's blessings in Genesis 24:35? Setting the Scene • Genesis 24 recounts Abraham sending his servant to find a wife for Isaac. • Verse 35 comes as the servant explains to Rebekah’s family why they should listen to him: “The LORD has greatly blessed my master, and he has become rich; He has given him sheep and cattle, silver and gold, menservants and maidservants, camels and donkeys.” • The servant does more than list assets; he identifies the LORD as the direct source. Seeing Blessings through Eyes of Faith • Faith first recognizes that every good thing flows from God, not luck or human ingenuity (James 1:17). • Faith remembers God’s prior promises—Abraham believed God’s word in Genesis 12:2–3; 15:6, and those promises shape the servant’s outlook decades later. • Faith allows the servant to interpret material prosperity as covenant faithfulness rather than mere wealth accumulation. Faith in Genesis 24:35 1. Attribution – The servant credits the LORD (“Yahweh”) for Abraham’s success. – Without faith, the same inventory could be chalked up to clever business or military strength. 2. Testimony – Declaring God’s blessing builds trust with Rebekah’s family; it shows they are entering a story authored by God. – Revelation 12:11 notes the power of testimony; here, testimony opens hearts to God’s plan. 3. Expectation – If God has blessed Abraham, He will bless the future union of Isaac and Rebekah. – Hebrews 11:1 frames faith as assurance—confidence that what God has done foreshadows what He will yet do. 4. Humility – Faith keeps prosperity from breeding pride. Psalm 103:2: “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.” – The servant’s words model grateful humility rather than boasting. Lessons for Today • Catalog blessings, but name the Giver—just as the servant did. • Link today’s provisions to yesterday’s promises; Scripture recounts God’s faithfulness so we can discern His hand now (Psalm 78:4). • Share testimony of God’s tangible care; it strengthens others’ faith and invites them into His story. • Let recognition fuel obedient action—because Abraham and his servant trusted God’s blessings, they moved forward in the marriage mission; so faith-inspired recognition leads to purposeful steps in our own callings. |
    |