The Gen 24 Camel

 Have you heard of Isaac? 

No?

You can read about him in Genesis. That's where I am from. I am the Genesis 24 camel.

I must have been born way before Genesis 24. But who records these things? Anyway, let's get to the point. I am a well-fed camel. I have been around. Kind of always travelled with treasures, you know. My master's father is the great old man Abraham. One day he called the grumpy old Eleazar and asked him to get a bride for my master. Oh bother! The fuss he made... 

The day came and we set out. I was waiting for my turn. He loaded up Block with the food and water for the journey. Then it was Ben. What amounts of gold... Man you should see it to believe it. Okay then it was the clothes. You guys may not believe it, but back then clothes were a luxury. People killed to get clothes... I am not kidding. And here was my fellow Ben being given a load of that carry on his back. So I watched as spices and other things kept piling up. I am Isaac's favourite camel and am used to carrying valuables and loads of them. Now I was being neglected, ignored, overlooked and I felt the sting. 

Nine of them stood tall and I knew Selah was prepared to carry Eleazer. He had his saddle on. Finally I was given some leftovers from all the other treasures and it was the lightest of the lot. I felt aweful and under-used. Every other camel was giving me the looks. You know- the kind that said, 

"Oh you poor thing." 

"We had been telling you all along to keep yourself grounded." 

"You thought you were special." 

"It is all imagination my friend."

 "Welcome to reality"

I heard them all. I wanted to bawl. I was fighting, Seeting inside. But I plodded on. The journey was long and hard. What could be worse you say? I was used to leading. Eleazer made me the butt of the trail. I hated it... 

But at least we did not scrimp on fodder. Finally, we stopped beside a well. I thought the man would show some heart and give us drink. But I was wrong. Guess what he did? He knelt down and PRAYED! 

I mean, I like that my master knows the Maker and is always going off to meditate on his own. But this from Eleazer - after a tired journey, praying for a girl to come and give him and us drink? Talk about ambitions. Choosing a bride for the sole heir of the wealthiest man in history based on her ability to endure a massive marathon of drawing water from the well? Reeks of serious lack of imagination. Don't you think? 

I would choose the awesomest, drop-dead gorgeous wife. One look should tell me if she is up to it. I don't quite see Father Abraham's technique in sending this old man and trusting his judgement. I should blame it on the age factor.  

What do you know? In glided a dame that looked like a dream. There was a certain goodness and grace that exuded from her. It changed the atmosphere of the place from a smelly, tired and worn-out air to a bouncy, fragrant, gentle one. She came, threw a glance at the dirty lot and Eleazer sprang up from his knee and said, "would you care to give me a drink?" 

"There, there, attaboy" I thought to myself. Eleazer is worth the master's trust, for the girl replied, " I will give you a drink and all your camels too." The rest is history. You can read it for yourself. Although I would like to put in a word of caution about the girl's brother-Laban. If you can help it, stay as far away from him as possible. 

But I will tell you what happened to me. There were some back and forth with the girl and the family. The treasures were unloaded and some goods from the girl's family were loaded back on to my comrades. Again I stood waiting to be under-used, neglected and ignored. But I suddenly heard Eleazer talking close by me. He said, "This is the camel the young master chose specially for you. This one is his favorite. He calls it 'Genesis.'He 's been prepared for the return. He has not carried anything heavy in the on ward journey, so he'll be up to it to carry my lady. "

Now I saw it. The master's good heart and the obedient Eleazer. I now gave the rest the look that said "Ha! You didn't see that coming, did you?" I don't understand a lot of things but I know that everything happens for a purpose. Every hurt, every scar, and every unshed tear is a preparation for a glorious reward. Wait on, carry on, plod on. You will find it soon!