Definition: And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: [let the same be] she [that] thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed kindness unto my master.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Genesis 24:14. It's a really beautiful and important passage about God’s care for his chosen people and their servant. Here’s the explanation in simpler terms: Basically, God is showing compassion to Jacob (who was then called Isaac) by asking him to be kind to his servant. Here’s a breakdown of what it means word-by-word and then the overall meaning: “And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also:” This is a straightforward request. God wants Jacob to pour out his kindness and generosity by helping him with his servant. He’s asking Jacob to let his servant have water – specifically, the camels need water too. “[let the same be] she [that] thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed kindness unto my master.” This is the key part! It’s a clever way for God to test Jacob's character. "she [that] thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac" : God has chosen Isaac as his servant. He's giving him a specific task and responsibility. “and thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed kindness unto my master” : This is the crucial part. It means God wants to see if Jacob’s actions were truly motivated by goodness and compassion. He’s asking him to prove his kindness – to show that he's been thoughtful and generous. So, what’s the overall message? It’s a story about God’s love and concern for his people, and specifically, for Jacob’s servant. He wants to see if Jacob is truly kind and considerate of others. It’s a way for God to assess his character and understand how he will handle his relationship with the people he's chosen. Why is this important? This verse highlights that God doesn't just want to help us; He wants to know if we are good and kind. It shows that God’s love is a powerful thing – it's not just about giving, but also about seeing our actions reflect goodness. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Discuss the significance of the story within the larger context of Genesis 24?