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The DEEP

Just Blurting Out the Truth

Being clumsy has its advantages.

Genesis 24:42-49 (ESV)

“I came today to the spring and said, ‘O LORD, the God of my master Abraham, if now you are prospering the way that I go, behold, I am standing by the spring of water. Let the virgin who comes out to draw water, to whom I shall say, “Please give me a little water from your jar to drink,” and who will say to me, “Drink, and I will draw for your camels also,” let her be the woman whom the LORD has appointed for my master's son.’

“Before I had finished speaking in my heart, behold, Rebekah came out with her water jar on her shoulder, and she went down to the spring and drew water. I said to her, ‘Please let me drink.’ She quickly let down her jar from her shoulder and said, ‘Drink, and I will give your camels drink also.’ So I drank, and she gave the camels drink also. Then I asked her, ‘Whose daughter are you?’ She said, ‘The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor's son, whom Milcah bore to him.’ So I put the ring on her nose and the bracelets on her arms. Then I bowed my head and worshiped the Lord and blessed the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who had led me by the right way to take the daughter of my master's kinsman for his son. Now then, if you are going to show steadfast love and faithfulness to my master, tell me; and if not, tell me, that I may turn to the right hand or to the left.”

One of the great things about letting teenagers share their testimonies is that they blurt out all kinds of unpredictable things, often including something inappropriate (such as cuss words). The result is totally unpolished but strikingly genuine.

The servant’s presentation has that feel. He’s definitely not reading from cue cards. His presentation isn’t polished, and that’s what makes it so good. Too much polish sounds artificial. The servant’s presentation is convincing because of its amateurish simplicity.

He gives a play-by-play recitation of what happened at the well and then surprises everyone by suddenly popping the question. This clumsy style meshes perfectly with his claim that this is all the LORD’s doing. He’s obviously excited – so excited he makes a mistake. He gets to the point too quickly and doesn’t give his hosts time to assimilate his story. Giving away your daughter in marriage isn’t something one does in haste.

Pressing for a quick decision is bad form.


Consider this when presenting the gospel. Instead of explaining the plan of salvation, sometimes it’s better to just tell people about your own experiences. That kind of personal testimony is easy on the ears. We rarely know exactly where someone is in their path to Christ, but a personal testimony can be enlightening at any stage. Talk normally, instead of like some kind of pitch-man, and you’ll connect.

Remember, the goal is to glorify God, not to get someone to sign on the dotted line. Sure, they need to sign on the dotted line someday, but the timing is up to God.


The weekly study guides, which include discussion questions, are available for download here:

https://www.ailbe.org/resources/itemlist/category/91-deep-studies

Mike Slay

As a mathematician, inventor, and ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church in America, Mike Slay brings an analytical, conversational, and even whimsical approach to the daily study of God's Word.

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