There’s a fascinating and robust conversation in the Jewish commentaries about Eliezar, and whether or not his “test” (I’ll ask for water; she’ll offer to water my camels) is appropriate.
Look carefully Abraham’s oath requirement:
…but you will go to my country and to my relatives, and take a wife for my son Isaac.
Genesis 24:4 (NASB)
It’s clear from the text that Abraham’s intention is to find a wife from among his kinsman. From his “relatives.”
But when the servant goes to the well, he’s outside of town, where all manner of young single women can show up. He lays out his petition there.
…now may it be that the young woman to whom I say, ‘Please let down your jar so that I may drink,’ and who answers, ‘Drink, and I will water your camels also’—may she be the one whom You have appointed for Your servant Isaac; and by this I will know that You have shown kindness to my master.”
Genesis 24:14 (NASB)
The question the rabbis ask is this: Is this a demonstration of faithful trust that God will fulfill the oath to Abraham through his own desire to be obedient, or is this a foolish vow?
What if the woman wasn’t kin?
Depending on your view, the answer leads you to either believe that “testing” God like this is appropriate and faithful, or that it is definitely NOT appropriate, because foolish vows have dire consequences later in the text.
It’s a fascinating discussion.
