_A.M. 2147. B.C. 1857._ We have here, (1,) _ Abraham's care about the marrying of his son, and the charge he gave to his servant about it, Genesis 24:1._ (2,) _ His servant's journey into Abraham's country to seek a wife for his young master among his own relations, Genesis 24:10._ (3,) _ The ki... [ Continue Reading ]
_Abraham_ was _old_ One hundred and forty years of age, as appears by comparing Genesis 21:5, with Genesis 25:20. This was about three years after Sarah's death, and when Isaac was forty years old. So that, although a numerous progeny was so much desired, no great haste was made to get Isaac married... [ Continue Reading ]
_His eldest servant_ Probably Eliezer of Damascus. Abraham spake of him, sixty years before this, as the _steward of his house._ He was, therefore, far advanced in years; and he appears, in this chapter, to have been a person of singular wisdom and piety. _Thy hand under my thigh_ A ceremony used in... [ Continue Reading ]
_I will make thee swear_ This was both for Abraham's own satisfaction, and to engage his servant to all possible care and diligence in this important business. Thus God swears his servants to their work, that, having sworn, they may perform it. _By the Lord_, (Hebrews _Jehovah,_) _the God of heaven... [ Continue Reading ]
_He shall send his angel before thee_ God's angels are ministering spirits, sent forth, not only for the protection, but guidance of the heirs of promise, Hebrews 1:14. And they who are thus guided are sure to speed well.... [ Continue Reading ]
_He made his camels to kneel down_ Probably to unload them; kneeling, however, is the posture in which they take their rest. Dr. Shaw, giving an account of his journeys between Cairo and mount Sinai, says, “Our camels were made to kneel down in a circle round about us; and in this situation, as they... [ Continue Reading ]
_Send me good speed_ What a noble example is here for all servants to imitate their masters in all goodness! Abraham's servant, we find, had not lived in his master's house without profiting by his example; he shows the like faith and dependance upon God as his master manifested; and this being a bu... [ Continue Reading ]
_Let it come to pass_ He prays that God would be pleased to make his way plain and clear before him, by the concurrence of minute circumstances in his favour. It is the comfort, as well as the belief, of a good man, that God's providence extends itself to the smallest occurrences, and admirably serv... [ Continue Reading ]
_And before he had done speaking, behold, Rebekah came out_ Who, in all respects, answered the characters he wished for in the woman that was to be his master's wife; handsome and healthful, humble and industrious, courteous and obliging to a stranger. And Providence so ordered it, that she did that... [ Continue Reading ]
_She said, I will draw water for thy camels also_ What amiable qualities does Rebekah show! What _condescension!_ what _good-nature!_ what _humanity!_ The servant asks only to drink a little water out of her pitcher, and she not only gives this with the most obliging courtesy, but hastens to draw wa... [ Continue Reading ]
_Two bracelets of ten shekels weight of gold_ That is, about six ounces. According to Sir J. Chardin, the women wear rings and bracelets of as great weight as this through all Asia, and even much heavier. St. Paul and St. Peter have directed Christians to a more excellent way of adorning themselves;... [ Continue Reading ]
_Blessed be the Lord God of my master_ Here again this servant shows a noble example in returning thanks to God, as soon as he finds that his errand is likely to succeed. He had prayed for _good speed_, and, having sped well so far, he blesses God, although, as yet, he is not certain what the issue... [ Continue Reading ]
_Come in, thou blessed of the Lord_ Such was the beautiful language of those ancient times, whereby a sense of God was constantly kept up in their minds. How little is this language used in our day! Perhaps, because they heard from Rebekah of the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth, they... [ Continue Reading ]
_I will not eat till I have told my errand_ What a fine picture of diligence and zeal for a master's service is this! How worthy to be imitated by all servants! Though it was after a long journey, and much fatigue, yet so impatient is he to do his master's business, that he will not eat till he has... [ Continue Reading ]
_I am Abraham's servant_ Abraham's name, no doubt, was well known among them, and respected; and we may suppose them not altogether ignorant of his state; for Abraham knew theirs, Genesis 22:20.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Before I had done speaking in my heart_ Which perhaps he mentions, lest it should be suspected that Rebekah had overheard his prayer, and designedly complied with it; no, saith he, I spake _it in my heart_, so that none heard it but God, to whom thoughts are words, and from whom the answer came.... [ Continue Reading ]
_The thing proceedeth from the Lord_ He, in his providence, evidently favoured it, and therefore they properly concluded that it was his will; which is the only safe rule of conduct in all cases. And in those which are of peculiar importance, as the proper choice of a partner in marriage certainly i... [ Continue Reading ]
_He worshipped the Lord_ As his good success went on, he went on to bless God. Those that _pray without ceasing_, should in _every thing give thanks_, and own God in every step of mercy.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Let her abide a few days, at least ten_ The words in the Hebrew here, ימים או עשׂור, are rather equivocal, and may be rendered, as in the margin, _a full year, or ten months_, the word translated _days_ being sometimes put for a year. And if we may credit Jewish writers, it was customary for a virg... [ Continue Reading ]
_Call the damsel, and inquire_ As children ought not to marry without their parents' consent, so parents ought not to marry them without their own. Before the matter is resolved on, ask at the damsel's mouth; she is a party concerned, and therefore ought to be principally consulted.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Rebekah and her nurse_ Deborah, as appears from chap. Genesis 35:8; where we learn that she was held in great esteem, as indeed nurses in general were in ancient times, both in Asia and in Greece.... [ Continue Reading ]
_They blessed Rebekah_ The meaning of this verse is, that they prayed God to make her very fruitful, and to render her posterity victorious over their enemies. They said, _Thou art our sister_ Our near kinswoman; distance of place shall not alienate our affections from thee; but we will still own th... [ Continue Reading ]
_And her damsels_ It seems then, when she went to the well for water, it was not because she had no servants at command, but because she took pleasure in these instances of humanity and industry.... [ Continue Reading ]
_He went out to meditate_ (or pray) _in the field at the even-tide_ Some think he expected his servants about this time, and went out on purpose to meet them. But it should seem he went out to take the advantage of a silent evening, and a solitary field, for meditation and prayer. Our walks in the f... [ Continue Reading ]