Genesis 24:32-49

Led me in the right way to take my master’s brother’s daughter unto his son

The marriage treaty

I. ITS RELIGIOUS ELEMENT.

1. The sense of instant duty.

2. A recognition of God’s gracious dealings.

3. A solemn sense of responsibility.

(1) To man.

(2) To God.

II. ITS ECONOMIC ELEMENT. The steward gives an account of Abraham’s wealth and position (Genesis 24:35). He knew that the parents of this well-bred damsel would never consent to give their daughter to a man of mean circumstances and living one hundred miles away, nor to one of ignoble or degraded family. He takes care, therefore, to state that his master is rich, and that the bride would have a suitable home and congenial society. Still, with that pious feeling which marked him hitherto, he takes equal care to note that the riches of his master were righteously gotten. “The Lord hath blessed my master greatly” (Genesis 24:35). He also gave suitable presents (Genesis 24:47). He treats her as one who is to enter such a distinguished family. In all this transaction the religious and the economic elements are mixed in due proportion. The men who most believed in the supernatural, and who had most abundant witness of it, were the men who used the most care in the employment of common prudence and skill. This man does not blindly rely upon miracles alone, but uses human means and proprieties to their proper extent and trusts for the blessing of God. (T H. Leale.)

Divine guidance

I. DIVINE GUIDANCE. God’s gracious way of saving sinners is a “right way.”

II. THE IMMUTABLE CHARACTER OF THE GUIDE.

III. THE DEVOTION OF THE GUIDED MAN. (J. Irons.)

Lessons

1. Fidelity makes servants own and honour their masters in performing their trust, especially in the Church (Genesis 24:34).

2. Pious souls know and acknowledge God to be the only author of the prosperity of His servants.

3. Prosperity of believers is God’s blessing. This maketh rich and adds no sorrow (Proverbs 10:22).

4. God is not strained towards His in outward things, when they are good for them.

5. Greatness of estate and honour sometimes God uniteth unto godliness. So it was here with Abraham (Genesis 24:35).

6. God’s miracles should be related when they make to His praise, and His people’s good. So doth he.

7. The heir of promise may be the heir of all things here below. So Isaac. So eminently Christ was.

8. It is but rational in seeking marriage to declare the state in measure which God hath given (Genesis 24:36). (G. Hughes, B. D.)