Abraham Sending His Servant to Obtain a Wife for Isaac (Continued)
Ver. 29 — 31. As yet no one suspects the object of the visit: but all hearts are full, and there is much running hither and thither. No mention is made at present of Bethuel, or of Milcah: they were aged people, and the affairs of the family seem principally to have devolved on its younger branches. Laban appears to have taken a very active part in this business. Hearing his sister’s tale, and seeing the ornaments upon her hands, he is all alive, and runs towards the well to welcome the man into Ids house. By the account which is afterwards given of Laban, it is perhaps more than probable that these golden ornaments had great influence on v.’hat would otherwise appear a very generous behaviour. His whole history shews him to have been a meiceuaiy man; and we frequently see in such characters the truth of Solomon’s remarks: “A man’s gift maketh room for him — It is as a
precious stone in the eyes of hiin that hath it: 0 o 2
Whithersoever it turnetb, it prosperetb.“* If a man be in straits, be is coldly treated; but if once be begin to rise in the world, be becomes another man, and bis company and acquaintance are courted. Such is the spirit of this M’orld. But whatever were Laban’s motives, be carried it very kindly to Abrabam’s servant. Finding him at the well, modestly waiting for a further invitation from some of the beads of the family, be accosted him in language that would have befitted the lips of a much better man: “Come in thou blessed of the Lord: wherefore standest thou without? For I have prepared the house, and room for the camels.” It becomes us to bless, and bid welcome to those whom the Lord bath blessed; nor must Me confine it to those whom be bath blessed with outward prosperity: a christian spirit is in the sight of God of great price, and ought to be so in ours.
Ver. 32, 33. On this becoming invitation, the man goes into the house; and we see Laban very attentive. First, be ungirds the poor beasts which bad borne the burdens, and furnished them with provender: then provides water for the man, and those who were wiih bii;ii, to wash their feet; and after tins, sets meat beibrc him. All this is proper. But the good man’s heart is
* Prov. xviii 16 xvii. S.
Gen. 24.] * a wife for isaac. 2S5
full; and he cannot eat till lie has told bis errand. Such are the feelings of a servant of God whose heart is in his work. Where this is the case, personal indulgence will give place to things of greater importance. “I will not give sleep to mine eyes, (said David) nor slumber to mine eye-lids, till I find out a place for Jehovah, a habitation for the mighty God of Jacob. ‘While the woman of Samaria was gone to tell her neighbours of the man who had told her all things that ever she did, his disciples, knowing how weary and faint he must have been, “prayed him to eat:”’ hut seeing the Samaritans flocking down the hill to hear the word of God, he answered, “I have meat to eat that ye know not of... my meat is to do the will of hini that sent me, and to finish his work... Say ye not there are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? Behold... lift up vour eves, and look’” on yonder companies ...” the fields are white already to harvest!”
Ver. 34, 35. Being requested to tell his tale, the servant begins by informing them who he is. His prayer to the God uj his master xibraham, in the hearing of Rebecca, might possibly have superseded the necessity of this part of his state-, ment; but lest it sljould not, he tells them expressly. “I am Abraham’s servant.” He was an upright man, and upright men do not conceal who they are. He was also a humble man, and humble men are not ashamed to own their situation in life, though it be that of a servant. A vain man misrht have talked about himself, and that he was the first servant q the house, the steward that ruled over all that Abraham had, and that all his master’s goods v.’ere in his hand.*’ But not a word of this is heard; for his heart was set on his errand. He has no objection, however, to tell of the glory of his master; for this would tend to promote the object; nor does he fail to acknowledge the hand of God in it. “The Lord hath blessed my master greatly.” And if they were worthy to be connected with Abraham, this would tend farther to promote the object; yea, more than all the riches and o-lory of Abraham without it.
Vn 36. And now for the first time he makes mention of Isaac. A messenger less ingenuous might have given a hint of this kind to the damsel when he presented her with the “ear’ ring, and bracelets:” but so did not Abraham’s- servant. Not an intimation of the kind is given till he is before her parents. In their presence, and’ that of the whole fa.mily, he frankly makes mention of his master’s son; and as his ol)ject
* S”c Either v. 10 — IJ.
was to recommend him to their esteem, and to prepossess Rebecca in his favour, it is admirable to see how he accomplishes his end. All is in the form of a simple narrative; yet every moving consideration is worked into it that the subject will admit of. In only this single verse we observe four circumstances touched upon, each of which would have a powerful effect — He was the son of the highly honoured Abraham — by the much-loved Sarah — in their old age — (of course he himself must be young) — and was made heir of all his father’s substance.
Ver, yy 38. From hence he proceeds to a still more explicit mention of the object of his journey, mixing with it such grounds or reasons as must ingratiate both his master, and his master’s son in their esteem, and so tend to accomplish his design. He infornjs them that Abraham was utterly averse to his son’s being united with a daughter of Canaan; so much so, that he even made him solemnly swear upon the subject. The family at Haran might possibly have thought ere now that Abraham had forgotten his old friends, and formed new connexions: but they would perceive by this that he had not. There is a charming delicacy in his introducing the subject of marriage. He speaks of “a wife being taken” for his master’s son; but first men-
2S8 Abraham’s servant sekks [Dis. 33.
tions it in reference to the daughters of Canaan, whom be must not take, before lie suggests any thing of the person be -wished to take; thus giving them to infer what was coming ere he expressed it. And now having intimated the family whom his master preferred, he represents him as speaking of them in the most affectionate language — “]My father’s house, my kindred.”
Ver. 39 — -i-l. Next he repeats what passed between his master and himself, as to the supposed willingness or unwillingness of the party; and here also we see much that will turn to account. In expressing Abraham’s persuasion in the affair, he appeals to their piety. It was saying in effect, the hand of God is in it; and this “with godly minds would be sure to weigh. Indeed it did weigh; for when required to give an answer, it was this: “The thing procccdeth from the Lord.” Religion, thus mingled with natural affection, sanctifies it, and renders sweetness itself more sweet. In repeating also the words of Abraham, “thou shalt take a wife for my son of mif kindred and of my father s housCy” he touches and re-touches the strings of fraternal love. And in that he intimates that his master had laid nothing more upon him than to tell his tale, and leave the issue to the Lord, he gives them to understand that whether they were willing or unwilling, he should be clear of his oath. In this and several other parts of this pleasant story, our thoughts must needs run to the work of Christ’s servants in espousing souls to him. They may be clear of the blood of all men, though sinners may be unwilling; and’it is their duty to tell them so, that M’hile on the one hand they allure them by exhibiting the glory of their Master, they may on the other convince them that their message is not to be trifled with. Both are means appointed of God to bring them to Christ; and if the Lord be with them in their work, such will be the effect.
Ver. 42 — 49- The repeating of the interview with Rebecca at the well, was all admirably in point, and of a tendency to bring the matter to a crisis. * I came to the well — I called on the God of my master Abraham — I asked for a sign — a sign was given me — every thing answered to my prayer — judge ye — let Rebecca judge — whether the hand of the Lord be not in it? And now, if ye will deal kindly and truly with my master, tell me: and if not, tell me, that may turn to the right hand, or to the left.’
Ver. 50 — 52. With this simple, but interesting account, the whole family is overcome: p p
290 Abraham’s servant seeks [Dls. 35.
one sentiment bows every mind. Rebecca says nothing: but her heart is full. It is an affair in which little or nothing seems left for creatures to decide. “The thing (say they) proceedeth from the Lord: we cannot speak unto thee good or bad. Behold, Rebecca is before thee; take her, and go, and let her be thy master’s son’s wife, as the Lord hath spoken!” Such was the happy result of this truly religious courtship; and the good man, who saw God in all things, still keeps up his character. Hearing their words, he bowed himself to the earth, and worshipped God! How sweet would all our temporal concerns be rendered, if they were thus intermixed “with codliness 1
Vey 53. The main things being settled, he, according to the customs of those times, presents the bride elect with “jewels of silver, jewels of gold, and raiment,” suited to the occasion; and farther to conciliate the esteem of the family “he gave also to her brother, and to her mother precious things.” Presents when given from sincere affection are very proper, and productive of good effects. It is by a mutual interchange of kind offices that love is often kindled, and al-M’ays kept alive. Our Saviour accepted the presents which were offered him, not only of food, but raiment, and even the anointing of his feet.
GfW. 24.] A WIF£ FOR ISAAC. £91
Where love exists, it is natural and grateful to express it in acts of kindness.
Ver. 54 — 58. The good man would not eat till he had told his errand: but now that hi.s work is done, he and the men who were with him both cat and drink: and doubtless it would add to the enjoyment of their meal, to know that the Lord had made their way prosperous. The next morning, having accomplished his object, the diiigent and faithful servant wants to .be going. To this proposal however, though honourable to him as a servant, the mother and the brother object; pleading for a few days, ten at least, ere they parted; nor does their objection seem to be unreasonable. Thouli wilUno; upon the whole that she should go; yet parting is trying work, especially when they considered that they might never see her more in this world, as in truth they never did. The man, however, knows not how to consent to it; but entreats that he might not be “hindered, seeing the Lord .had prospered his way.” Whether we consider him as too pressing, in this case, or not, Me may lay it down as a general rule, never to hinder those who are engaged in a right way. and who have received manifest tokens that God hath blessed them in it. The case beino: somewhat
difficult, and neither of the parties disposed to p p 2 disoblige the other, they consent to leave it to the decision of the damsel herself. A few days to take leave of her friends could not, we may suppose, have been disagreeable to her; but seeing as she did, so much of God in the affair, and the man’s heart so deeply set upon it; feeling also her own heart entirely in it, she would not so much as seem to make light of it, or hinder it even for an hour; but, far from all affectation, answered, “I will go.”
Vey 59, 60. And now, preparation is made for her departure. Before she goes she must be provided with a “nurse.” Rebecca’s having been employed in drawing water, we see, was no proof of the poverty of her parents, but rather of the simplicity of the times. Daughters were not yet taught to be so delicate as scarcely to adventure to set the sole of their foot upon the ground. But now that She is going to leave her family, it is desirable that she should have one of its domestics who had probably been brought up with her from her childhood, who in times of affliction would kindly wait on her, and at all times be a friend and companion. The name of this nurse was Deborah. We hear no more oi’ her till Me are told of her death. She appears to have survived her mistress, and to have died in the family of Jacob, much lamented.* To an
* CliJip, XXXV. 8.
(7eW. 24.] A WIFE FOR ISAAC. €93
affectionate nurse, they added a parting blessing. The Ian2:ua2:e used in it shews that Abraham’s servant had told them« of the promises which God had made to his master, and which were to be fulfilled in Isaac and his posterity. They speak as believing the truth of them, and as having their hearts full of hope and joy, amidst the natural sorrow which must have attended the parting scene. “They blessed Rebecca, and said unto her, Thou art our sister; be thou the mother of thousands of millions, and let thy seed possess the gate of those that hate them!”
Ver. 61 — 63. Taking leave of Ilaran, they go on their way toM’ards Canaan, A little before their arrival at Hebron, they are unexpectedly met by a person who was taking an evening walk. This was no other than Isaac. It may be thought that he was looking out in hopes of meeting them; but we are expressly told that his walk was for another purj)ose, namely, to “meditate.” It is a woid which is sometimes used for prayer, and hence it is so rendered in the margin of our bibles. He was a man of reflexion and prayer, and in the cool of the evenins; it m’ijrht be common for him to retire n hour to converse, as we should say, with himself, and with his God. Admitting that the thought might occur, ‘I may possibly see my father’s servant on his return,’ still his object would be on such an important turn in his life, to commit the matter tg God. Those blessings are likely to prove substantial and durable, which are given us in answer to prayer.
Ver. 64; 65. Rebecca having espied a stranger approaching towards them, enquires of her guide whether he knew him; and being told that it was no other than his young “master,” she modestly alighted from the camel, and took a vail and covered herself. This eastern head-dress might in the present instance answer a double purpose: First, it would express her subjection to her husband, as being already his espoused wife. Secondly, it would prevent that confusion which the exposure of her person, especially in so sudden and unexpected a manner, must have occasioned.
Vey 66f 67. Isaac observing her to have put on her vail, very properly avoids addressing himself to her; but walking awhile with the servant by himself, heard the whole narrative of his journey, and which appears to have m rought on his mind as the former had Wrou<;ht on that of Rebecca. And now the marriage is consum — mated. *’ Isaac brought her into his n.other Sarah’s tent, and took Rebecca, and she became
Gen. 24.] a wife for isaac. ^gs
his wife, and he loved her: and Isaac was com* forted after his mother’s death.” In this tender manner is the admirable story closed. Who can forbear wishing them all happiness y The union of filial and conjugal affection is not the least honourable trait in the character of this amiable man. He “brou2:ht her into his mother Sarah’s tent;” and was then, and not till then, comforted for his loss of her. Dutiful sons promise fair to be affectionate husbands: he that fills up the first station in life with honour, is thereby prepared for those that follow. God in mercy sets a day of prosperity over against a day of adversity. Now he woundeth our spirits by dissolving one tender union, and now bindeth up our wounds by cementing another.