“Without saying a word, the man watched her closely to learn whether or not the Lord had made his journey successful.”
Genesis 24:21
It’s easy to miss how God is working when we’re so focused on getting an answer. But what if part of the answer comes in the watching, the listening, and the waiting?
In Genesis 24, we pick up in the middle of a mission. Abraham’s trusted servant is sent to find a wife for Isaac—not just any wife, but the right one. Someone who fits the covenant family and is aligned with God’s promise. That’s a big ask. The servant had traveled 500 miles by camel to get there, and after praying a very specific prayer for confirmation, he watches as Rebekah arrives at the well and fulfills every part of that prayer.
But he doesn’t jump ahead. He doesn’t say, “That’s it! That’s the sign!” Instead, he quietly watches to see if God is confirming what he just prayed for.
That patience—that stillness—is something many of us struggle with. We pray for confirmation, but then rush forward before the peace comes. What this servant shows us is that discernment starts with prayer but follows through with patience.
The Hebrew word used in verse 21 for “watched” means “to be silent or wait with intention.” That kind of spiritual discernment isn’t just about signs. It’s about being tuned into the Spirit and waiting for both external confirmation and internal peace. It’s a layered kind of trust, the kind that rests not on emotion or impulse but on God’s steady voice.
Rebekah, on the other hand, isn’t even aware that she’s part of a bigger story yet. She’s simply being faithful in her everyday task. She shows up, draws water, and lives generously. That simple obedience—serving a stranger, going the extra mile for his camels—becomes the very sign the servant had prayed for.
God’s plans often unfold through these seemingly small moments. Rebekah’s kindness wasn’t staged or strategic. It was who she was. That’s what God used.
There’s another powerful moment here too. Once the servant gets confirmation—when he sees that Rebekah is not only kind and generous but also from Abraham’s family—he stops everything and worships. He doesn’t press forward to close the deal or get more details. He pauses to give glory to God.
That’s something we can easily forget in our rush to the next thing. When we finally feel that peace or receive the answer we’ve been praying for, our first response should be worship. A simple moment to say, “God, thank You. I see Your hand in this.”
This passage also introduces us to Laban, Rebekah’s brother. His reaction is driven by what he sees—the gold jewelry—and it gives us a glimpse into his heart, which will play a bigger role later in the story. But for now, it reminds us to keep our own motives pure. Do we respond to God’s work because of what we can gain? Or because we recognize His presence?
At the end of the day, this story is about trust. Not just trust in God’s plan, but trust in His process. Waiting is hard. Watching is hard. But when we ask God to lead, He will. Our job is to stay close enough to Him that we recognize His voice and have the peace to follow it.
Lord, help us be people who wait with purpose, listen with care, and follow with confidence. Teach us to pause, to watch for Your hand, and to trust that You are working—even when we can’t yet see the full picture. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Want to explore this episode more deeply? Listen to the full episode of the Hearing Jesus Podcast for insight, encouragement, and application that will help you grow in discernment and trust. Discernment in Decisions