The story about Abraham sending his servant to get a wife for Isaac, as recorded in Genesis 24, teaches us many valuable lessons about this good and faithful servant. The first important and practical lesson is this: the good servant must get his instructions from his master. Abraham’s servant was well experienced, for he ruled over all that Abraham had.

He was trustworthy and, no doubt, an intelligent man, yet he did not trust in his own experience, nor did Abraham say to him, “Use your own judgment.” When he had a question about what to do in case the woman would refuse to go with him, he inquired directly of his master. He did not consult with his fellow servants. He wanted the truth from the source of the truth. We too have access to the truth through the Word of God and the throne of grace. We have the Holy Spirit who guides us into all truth.

The result was wonderful. Abraham told him very clearly what not to do, as well as what to do. Not only that, but he promised help from above based on what God had done for him thus far, and on God’s promises to him: “Jehovah the God of the heavens … who has sworn to me, saying, Unto thy seed will I give this land—He will send His angel before thee, that thou mayest take a wife for my son thence” (v. 7). The faithful servant obeyed his faithful master Abraham, who trusted the faithful God. The lesson for us is very clear: trust and obey. And the promise is, “I will instruct thee and teach thee the way in which thou shalt go” (Ps. 32:8).