Genesis 24:39

Genesis 24:39 records a crucial moment in the narrative of finding a wife for Isaac, Abraham's son. The speaker is Eliezer, Abraham's chief servant, recounting his initial apprehension to his master, Abraham, before embarking on his mission. This verse highlights a very human concern amidst a divinely guided quest.

Historical and Cultural Context

This verse is part of the extended account in Genesis 24, detailing Abraham's mission for his most trusted servant, Eliezer, to find a wife for Isaac. Abraham, nearing the end of his life, made Eliezer swear an oath not to take a wife for Isaac from among the Canaanites, where they lived, but from his own kindred in Mesopotamia (specifically, the city of Nahor). The concern expressed by Eliezer in verse 39 — "Peradventure the woman will not follow me" — was a practical and reasonable one. In ancient Near Eastern culture, while arranged marriages were common, the woman's consent, or at least her family's, was often necessary, especially for such a significant journey away from her home and family. Eliezer was anticipating the potential hurdle of convincing a woman to leave her familiar surroundings and journey to a distant land to marry a man she had never met. This reflects the reality and customs of the time, where a woman's willingness to leave her home was a key factor in such arrangements, even if the overall arrangement was between the families.

Key Themes and Messages

• Human Doubt vs. Divine Assurance: Eliezer's "peradventure" (perhaps) underscores the natural human tendency to foresee obstacles and uncertainties. Despite Abraham's confident assertion that the Lord would send His angel before him, Eliezer voiced a practical concern. This tension sets the stage for the miraculous unfolding of God's plan.
• Obedience and Diligence: Even with his doubt, Eliezer did not shirk his duty. He faithfully communicated his concern to Abraham and then proceeded with the mission, demonstrating diligence and obedience to his master's command, a testament to his character as a trusted servant.
• The Sovereignty of God in Life's Decisions: Ultimately, the narrative of Genesis 24 demonstrates how God supernaturally orchestrated the events, leading Eliezer directly to Rebekah and securing her willing consent, thereby overcoming the very "peradventure" Eliezer expressed. This highlights God's providential care and guidance in even the most personal and significant life decisions.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "Peradventure" translates the Hebrew word אולי ('ulay), which means "perhaps," "it may be," or "if it were possible." It conveys a sense of doubt, uncertainty, or a hypothetical situation. Eliezer wasn't expressing a lack of faith in Abraham's God, but rather a practical, human assessment of a potential difficulty in fulfilling the mission. This same word is used by Eliezer earlier in his conversation with Abraham in Genesis 24:5, showing consistent communication of this specific concern.

Practical Application

Eliezer's honest expression of doubt in Genesis 24:39 offers a valuable lesson. We often face situations where we have a clear directive or believe we are following God's will, yet practical obstacles or uncertainties arise. This verse reminds us:

1. It's okay to voice concerns: Eliezer didn't hide his apprehension but communicated it respectfully to his master.
2. Trust God beyond the "Peradventure": While we may foresee difficulties, our faith should rest in God's ability to overcome them. The subsequent narrative shows that Rebekah indeed was willing to follow, demonstrating God's sovereign hand at work.
3. Diligence in the face of uncertainty: Despite potential roadblocks, we are called to be diligent in pursuing what we believe God has called us to do, trusting Him for the outcome.

This passage encourages believers to bring their genuine concerns to God (or godly counsel) and then to proceed in faith, understanding that God's plan will prevail, even through human "peradventures."