ELIEZER’S GIFTS
We are all familiar with the story of Eliezer, the servant of Abraham, and his mission to find a suitable God-fearing wife for Abraham’s “son of promise”, Isaac.
Eliezer prayed and asked God for a sign that would reveal/inform him that he had found the woman that would be a suitable mate for Isaac. He did not leave this important task to his own wisdom and understanding. She was to be the mother of a great nation. He prayed to God that if he was to ask for a drink of water, the woman whom he approached would also offer to provide his camels with water. Let us remember, providing water for ten camels would not have been an easy task. The camels had traveled far through the desert, and would require a lot of water to quench their thirst. At the well He saw a woman named Rebekah. He approached her with the request to draw water for him. After she gave him water, she offered to take on the arduous task of providing water for all his camels.
“And the servant ran to meet her, and said, Let me, I pray thee, drink a little water of thy pitcher. And she said, Drink, my lord: and she hasted, and let down her pitcher upon her hand, and gave him drink. And when she had done giving him drink, she said, I will draw water for thy camels also, until they have done drinking. And she hasted, and emptied her pitcher into the trough, and ran again unto the well to draw water, and drew for all his camels. And the man wondering at her held his peace, to wit whether the LORD had made his journey prosperous or not.” Genesis 24:17–21
What do we notice in verses 20 and 21? The servant of Abraham allowed Rebekah to complete the whole job of drawing water for the camels. Why would Eliezer allow Rebekah to complete the entire job in the heat of the desert? Was it not enough that she had passed the test by offering to draw water for his camels? Quite simply, Eliezer wanted to see if she was the kind of person who would make a promise, or offer help, but then not follow through. This was very important, as Rebekah was soon to engage in a very solemn promise of a lifelong marriage and commitment to Isaac. It was not enough to make the promise to marry Isaac, but it would have to be followed by a lifetime of action in following through on the promise.
“And it came to pass, as the camels had done drinking, that the man took a golden earring of half a shekel weight, and two bracelets for her hands of ten shekels weight of gold; And said, Whose daughter art thou? tell me, I pray thee: is there room in thy father’s house for us to lodge in?” Genesis 24:22–23
We read that Eliezer offered Rebekah gifts of a golden earring and two bracelets. What was the purpose for Eliezer to provide these gifts to Rebekah? Firstly, he gave them because he was showing gratitude for the great help Rebekah had been in watering his camels. And, secondly, this gift was an attempt to show Rebekah that Eliezer came with peaceful intentions, representing an overture of friendship. This was important as it helped to open the way for Eliezer’s request to stay with Rebekah and her family, and increased the chance of them granting this request. It also prepared the way for him to share with the family the exact nature of his important mission.
“And Rebekah had a brother, and his name was Laban: and Laban ran out unto the man, unto the well. And it came to pass, when he saw the earring and bracelets upon his sister’s hands, and when he heard the words of Rebekah his sister, saying, Thus spake the man unto me; that he came unto the man; and, behold, he stood by the camels at the well. And he said, Come in, thou blessed of the LORD; wherefore standest thou without? for I have prepared the house, and room for the camels.” Genesis 24:29–31
It is clear that seeing these earrings and bracelets was a factor in Rebekah’s family welcoming Eliezer with open arms. Also, as mentioned before, it was an indicator to Rebekah’s family that he was serious about his mission and there was an importance to it.
“And the servant brought forth jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment, and gave them to Rebekah: he gave also to her brother and to her mother precious things.” Genesis 24:53
Why were gifts given here? It is quite clear that it was in thankfulness to Rebekah’s parents and family members for trusting in the Lord, in allowing her to go with Eliezer to a foreign land. This would definitely have taken quite a degree of trust. Also, it would have been an assurance that Rebekah would be well taken care of, and that Abraham, Isaac and their household had the necessary resources to ensure a good life for Rebekah.
Gift giving can be important in certain situations, and being that he was on an important God-given mission, these gifts helped Eliezer complete that mission.
Richard Eaton
THE THREE WISE MEN
Gifts are an important part of every child’s life, during holidays, celebrations, and most of all, on birthdays. Do we remember what Jesus received as birthday gifts? Three wise men from the East saw a bright and luminous star. They followed it to see where it led. It brought them to Bethlehem, where they found Jesus. “And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped Him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto Him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.” Matthew 2:11. What were these gifts for and why were they necessary? According to historians, these items were gifts you would regularly offer to a king or an idol. Frankincense was used as a perfume or an incense. Myrrh was an anointing oil. Gold was considered a very precious metal. In the book of Isaiah, when describing Jerusalem’s restoration, it depicts multiple kings and nations who brought gifts to praise the Lord. “The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come: they shall bring gold and incense; and they shall shew forth the praises of the LORD.” Isaiah 60:6 These gifts were of the type that were suited for a king, and Jesus was a king. Yes, a king. A small baby in a manger given extravagant gifts normally given to kings. Giving gifts is an act of unselfishness. Searching for a gift for someone can provide an emotional lift. Do you not feel happy when you give someone a gift? I know I do. It is my wish and prayer that throughout our lives, we continue to think about others, by being generous.
Stephen Newby
DORCAS
“Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.” Acts 9:36
Dorcas lived in the city of Joppa where there were many people in need. Her kindness had made her very much loved and well known in her city. She was always willing to help someone. Her life was full of acts of kindness towards others. Oftentimes she would sew dresses and clothing for the poor and needy. If it was food they needed, she would bring fruits and bread. She knew exactly what each person needed. Her gifts not only included clothing and food, but also kind words to the sorrowful.
Following the example of Dorcas, many churches have a Dorcas group or ministry. In the time of Sister White, she was part of a Dorcas society in her home. “Last evening we had a Dorcas society in our home, and my
workers who help in the preparation of my articles for the papers and do the cooking and sewing, five of them, sat up until midnight, cutting out clothing. They made three pairs of pants for the children of one family. Two sewing machines were running until midnight. I think there was never a happier set of workers than were these girls last evening.” –Welfare Minstry, p. 334
Sister White saw the happiness that helping others brings to us. There are many ways we can be helpful to others. God expects this of us. When we do our best for others, God will increase our blessings and do His best for us.
“For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but My kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of My peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee.” Isaiah 54:10
It is my wish and prayer that we may learn of Dorcas and be a blessing to all people. Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:36
Sarah Newby
Esther and Mordecai
Let us refresh our memories on who Esther and Mordecai were. Esther was appointed Queen of Persia. Both of her parents had died and Mordecai, who was Esther’s cousin, took care of her as if she was his own daughter. Both Esther and Mordecai were Jews. He instructed her to never reveal who her family was when she became queen.
Then we read of Haman, who was a man of high position. The King commanded everyone to honor Haman. They were to show reverence. However, Mordecai refused to do so. People questioned him, asking why he would not obey the Kings command. Mordecai still refused. He was a Jew and only worshipped the God of heaven. The people informed Haman about it, so Haman thought of a plan as to how to destroy Mordecai. “And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai.” Esther 3:6
Haman went and spoke to the King, informing him that not everyone was obeying his law, and that it was not good that the King was putting up with them. He got the knig to make a law to destroy the Jews on a certain day. “And the letters were sent by posts into all the king’s provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, even upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar, and to take the spoil of them for a prey.” Esther 3:13. When Mordecai found out what had been done, he tore his clothes and wore sackcloth with ashes. He cried out loud in the city, meaning he made it very public for everyone to see. The Bible mentions that other Jews also sobbed with him and wore sackcloth with ashes. We read in Esther 4:4–5, “So Esther’s maids and her chamberlains came and told it her. Then was the queen exceedingly grieved; and she sent raiment to clothe Mordecai, and to take away his sackcloth from him: but he received it not. Then called Esther for Hatach, one of the king’s chamberlains, whom he had appointed to attend upon her, and gave him a commandment to Mordecai, that he tell her what the problem. Esther, instead of asking what was wrong with him first, she sent him clothes as a gift. Once he refused them, she then wanted to know what was wrong with him.
I do not know if Esther’s gift was good or bad, but I personally think that because of the situation that Mordecai was going through, the gift was not useful or necessary. I think Esther perhaps had good intentions with her gift, but there was no thought put into it. It is as if she just wanted Mordecai’s pain and sorrow to end quickly. Her gift, in reality, had no meaning to it.
What we can learn from this gift-giving is to always observe a situation first, not just jump to conclusions. In this story, we see that a gift was not even useful. The best gift that Mordecai could have received was to have the problem fixed, but first he had to be heard.
Gifts can come in many ways such as a kind word, a listening ear, or through a material item. We need to be observant, kind, and thoughtful in our gift-giving. To conclude, I would like to read a passage from Sister White that says: “We are to give in sincerity not to make a show of our good deeds. . . . Sincerity of purpose, real kindness of heart, is the motive that Heaven values.” Amen.
Mabel Urizar