Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit · Sermon No. 2231
“And now if you will deal kindly and truly with my master, tell me: and if not, tell me; that I may turn to the right hand, or to the left.” Genesis 24:49.
THE chapter from which the text is taken bristles with points. There is a remarkable parallel between Eliezer seeking a wife for Isaac and the ministers of Christ seeking souls for Jesus. It is something more than an allegory. It is really a very instructive parable of how we are to deal for our Master with the souls of men and women. For as truly as Abraham sent his servant to seek a bride for his son, we are commissioned to search for those who shall be brought into the Church, and at last, as the bride of Christ, sit down at the marriage feast in the Glory Land above!
You will notice how Eliezer prayed all along the way. He had no doubt in his mind as to whether God interfered in human affairs, but boldly and simply sought to know His will. Then, having presented his petition, we find him in quiet confidence holding his peace, “to wit whether the Lord had made his journey prosperous or not.” And when success crowned his efforts, he was forward to acknowledge that the speedy fulfillment of his objective was in answer to his supplication. It was the guidance of God and not his own acuteness or wisdom, which led to such a favorable issue. Thus it is also with every true minister of the New Testament. Oh, if we do not pray for you, my dear Hearers, our preaching to you will be hypocrisy! We shall never speak to men for God with any power of persuasion unless, first, we speak to God for men with power of supplication! Not without many a prayer and many a heaving of my heart in sighs have I come here to speak to you tonight. I believe that I am sent to find out some appointed for Christ in the Divine purpose and Covenant and I pray my Master that there may be many such!
While this trusty servant thus prayed to his master’s God, see how loyal he was to his master. He evidently realized that he was not on his own errand, but was the chosen instrument to do his lord’s will. The phrase, “my master,” is the refrain of this chapter. The word, “master,” occurs 22 times. Eliezer did not aspire to any independence of Abraham, or of Abraham’s son. His thoughts were of his master—his words were in praise of his master—his deeds on behalf of his master. He was not his own, but the bond-servant of another. This is also our position. Woe to the minister who loses sight of the true relationship between himself and his Lord, or who begins to think of serving his own interests rather than that of Him who called and sent him! My Brothers and Sisters, we are not our own, but the slaves of Christ! May our hearts be always kept loyal to Him! May our lips constantly speak His praise! May our lives always witness to our devotion to our Lord! Nothing we have is our own—all is His—and His absolute ownership of us and ours is our highest delight!
George Herbert speaks of the “Oriental fragrance” which dwells in the words, “My Master.” It is, indeed, a name full of sweet savor and holy gladness. Even here it is Heaven to serve Him! But what will it be to see His face, when His bride is brought safely home?—
“O Jesus, You have promised To all who follow Thee That where You are in Glory, There shall Your servant be! And Jesus, I have promised To serve You to the end. Oh, give me Grace to follow,
My Master and my Friend.”
See how alert Eliezer was to seize the opportunity of obeying his master’s orders. His love to Abraham made him quick to carry out the commission with which he was charged. When Rebekah came to the well, he began the conversation in the same way as the Lord Jesus, long afterwards, at Jacob’s well, began to talk to the woman of Samaria. He asked her to give him a drink. The two scenes by the well might almost form companion pictures. Then he very skillfully found out her name and was invited to her father’s house as a guest. I always feel a special joy when I hear of the visit of a servant of God to a house being the means of winning some member of the household for his Master! We should always aim to make our visits a blessing to those with whom we visit. It speaks much for the consistent life of the man who is enabled to do so. If we realize that we are always on our Master’s service, we shall bear a good testimony before those with whom we come in contact, making it quite clear that we watch for souls as those that must give account—that we may do it with joy—and not with grief.
One other thing in this man is noteworthy. He meant business and went with unerring aim straight to the mark. He had not many purposes, but only one. He did not go there for anything else but to find a wife for Isaac. And when he got into pretty comfortable quarters and had been called, by Laban, “the blessed of the Lord,” he was not satisfied. He meant business and would not even eat the meat set before him until he had explained his errand. Like every true servant of Christ, he put his Master’s business before his own ease or comfort—even before the question of necessary food. When a man begins to think more of his eating than of doing the will of God, he ceases to be a true-hearted minister! Let us imitate the thoroughness of Abraham’s servant in this matter. He told Bethuel and Laban what he came for and, before he finished his address, he turned to them and said distinctly, “Now, what answer do you mean to give to my master’s message? I cannot be kept in suspense. If you will deal kindly and truly with my master, tell me. And if not, tell me, that I may turn to the right hand, or to the left.”