BILL’S BLOG ENTRY #12

“The account of Abraham’s chief servant also offers us insight into the second important characteristic or attribute of a disciple, that is, Dedication to Task. A disciple is focused. A disciple “stays on target” (Star Wars, Episode 4: A New Hope). A disciple is set apart for sacred use (consecrated). A disciple displays singleness of purpose. We see in Genesis 24: 54 that Eliezer understands that his task is not yet complete. He knows that his efforts on behalf of his master Abraham will have been fruitless up to this point. He must see Rebekah safely delivered to Isaac and hope to be invited to the wedding! Thus, Abraham’s chief servant says to Rebekah’s family, “Do no delay me, since the Lord has prospered my way. Send me away that I may go to my master.” Genesis 24:56. Dedication to task also means seeing the job or task through to completion. Jesus said on the cross, “It is finished!” (John 19: 30).

A disciple also is aware of the scope and limits of his responsibility. Remember, a disciple is not above his master. A disciple takes his cue from his master. A scriptural example of this principle and its application is found in Genesis 39: 9 – 12, where we observe the encounter between Joseph and Potiphar’s wife. Verse 9 specifically details Joseph’s position: “There is no one greater in this house than I, and he (your husband) has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do this great evil and sin against God?” Joseph is in charge of all Potiphar has- except Potiphar’s wife. Joseph could have used the lame excuse that, if Potiphar’s wife was willing, why not? She would not be likely to tell Potiphar about their tryst. Everyone else was gone. They were alone. But Joseph was dedicated to the task assigned to him and only to that task, not to his own lusts or desires. Joseph recognizes that giving in to Potiphar’s wife would foremost be a sin against God as well as a violation of the trust placed in him by his master Potiphar. So he follows Paul’s advice and flees from fornication (I Cor. 6: 18).

About THE DISCIPLE

William H. “Bill” Hicks is a graduate of Wesleyan University, BA, Religion, 1971 who also holds a Masters in Public Health Degree (MPH) from the University of Oklahoma Hudson College of Public Health (1973). Bill also has studied at the Dallas Theological Seminary. He grew up in Harlem, New York City, USA during the 1950s and 1960s, graduating from high school before attending Mount Hermon Preparatory School and undergraduate school in Connecticut. He has spent most of his professional life in the public health arena, while being constantly in ministry. He received his license to preach the Gospel at Oklahoma City, OK in 1971. He has written extensively on Christian topics. He enjoys life in Chattanooga, TN with former District Public Defender Ardena Garth Hicks, his wife of 30 years. They have two daughters, Rachel (BA, University of Memphis magna cum laude, 2014) and Sarah (Phi Beta Kappa, magna cum laude, Global Scholar, University of Tulsa, 2017).

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