Charles Spurgeon Commentary Genesis 24
Charles Spurgeon Commentary
Genesis 24
Charles Spurgeon Commentary
Genesis 24
"And Abraham was old, [and] well stricken in age. And Jehovah had blessed Abraham in all things." — Genesis 24:1 (ASV)
Happy is the man who can say that, who has a blessing everywhere!
And yet Abraham had his "but," for Isaac was still unmarried, and perhaps he little dreamed that for twenty years afterwards he who was to build the house of Abraham was to remain childless. Yet so it was. There was always a trial for Abraham's faith, but even his trials were blessed, for God blessed Abraham in all things.
"And Abraham said unto his servant, the elder of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh." — Genesis 24:2 (ASV)
According to the Eastern manner of swearing.
"And I will make thee swear by Jehovah, the God of heaven and the God of the earth, that thou wilt not take a wife for my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell." — Genesis 24:3 (ASV)
This holy man was careful of the purity of his family; he knew what an ill-effect a Canaanitish wife might have upon his son, and also upon his offspring. He was, therefore, particularly careful here.
I wish that all parents were the same.
"But thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife for my son Isaac. And the servant said unto him, Peradventure the woman will not be willing to follow me unto this land. Must I needs bring thy son again unto the land from whence thou camest?" — Genesis 24:4-5 (ASV)
The servant was very careful. Those who swear too readily, not knowing what they swear, will before long swear until they do not care what they swear. It is better still for the Christian to remember the word of Christ, Swear not at all, neither by heaven, nor by earth, nor by any other oath.
Doubtless the doctrine of the Saviour is that all oaths of every sort are lawful to the Christian, but if they are ever taken, it should be with deep circumspection and with earnest prayerfulness, so that there is no mistake about the matter.
"And Abraham said unto him, Beware thou that thou bring not my son thither again." — Genesis 24:6 (ASV)
He knew that God had called him and his relatives to inherit the land of Canaan, and, therefore, he was not willing that they should go back to their former homes.
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