Matthew Henry Commentary Genesis 24
Matthew Henry Commentary
Genesis 24
Matthew Henry Commentary
Genesis 24
"And Abraham was old, [and] well stricken in age. And Jehovah had 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. 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. 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? And Abraham said unto him, Beware thou that thou bring not my son thither again. Jehovah, the God of heaven, who took me from my father`s house, and from the land of my nativity, and who spake unto me, and who sware unto me, saying, Unto thy seed will I give this land. He will send his angel before thee, and thou shalt take a wife for my son from thence. And if the woman be not willing to follow thee, then thou shalt be clear from this my oath. Only thou shalt not bring my son thither again. And the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and sware to him concerning this matter." — Genesis 24:1-9 (ASV)
The effect of good example, good teaching, and the worship of God in a family will generally appear in the piety, faithfulness, prudence, and affection of the servants. To live in such families, or to have such servants, both are blessings from God which should be highly valued and thankfully acknowledged. But no concern in life is of greater importance to ourselves, to others, or to the church of God, than marriage.
It therefore should always be undertaken with much care and prudence, especially with reference to the will of God, and with prayer for His direction and blessing. Where good parents are not consulted and regarded, the blessing of God cannot be expected. Parents, in arranging for the marriage of their children, should carefully consult the welfare of their souls, and their advancement in the way to heaven.
Observe the charge Abraham gave to a good servant, one whose conduct, faithfulness, and affection, to him and his family, he had long known. Observe also, that Abraham remembers that God had wonderfully brought him out of the land of his birth, by the call of His grace; and therefore does not doubt that He will prosper his endeavor, not to bring his son there again. God will cause that to end in our comfort, in which we sincerely aim at His glory.
"And the servant took ten camels, of the camels of his master, and departed, having all goodly things of his master`s in his hand. And he arose, and went to Mesopotamia, unto the city of Nahor. And he made the camels to kneel down without the city by the well of water at the time of evening, the time that women go out to draw water. And he said, O Jehovah, the God of my master Abraham, send me, I pray thee, good speed this day, and show kindness unto my master Abraham. Behold, I am standing by the fountain of water. And the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water. And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink. And she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also. Let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac. And thereby shall I know that thou hast showed kindness unto my master. And it came to pass, before he had done speaking, that, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel the son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham`s brother, with her pitcher upon her shoulder. And the damsel was very fair to look upon, a virgin, neither had any man known her. And she went down to the fountain, and filled her pitcher, and came up. And the servant ran to meet her, and said, Give me to drink, I pray thee, a little water from thy pitcher. And she said, Drink, my lord. And she hasted, and let down her pitcher upon her hand, and gave him drink. And when she had done giving him drink, she said, I will draw for thy camels also, until they have done drinking. And she hasted, and emptied her pitcher into the trough, and ran again unto the well to draw, and drew for all his camels. And the man looked stedfastly on her, holding his peace, to know whether Jehovah had made his journey prosperous or not. And it came to pass, as the camels had done drinking, that the man took a golden ring of half a shekel weight, and two bracelets for her hands of ten shekels weight of gold, and said, Whose daughter art thou? Tell me, I pray thee. Is there room in thy father`s house for us to lodge in? And she said unto him, I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, whom she bare unto Nahor. She said moreover unto him, We have both straw and provender enough, and room to lodge in. And the man bowed his head, and worshipped Jehovah. And he said, Blessed be Jehovah, the God of my master Abraham, who hath not forsaken his lovingkindness and his truth toward my master. As for me, Jehovah hath led me in the way to the house of my master`s brethren. And the damsel ran, and told her mother`s house according to these words." — Genesis 24:10-28 (ASV)
Abraham's servant devoutly acknowledged God. We are permitted to be specific in entrusting our affairs to the care of Divine providence. He proposed a sign. This was not because he intended to proceed no further if his request was not granted; rather, the sign itself was a prayer that God would provide a good wife for his young master. And that was a good prayer. She should be simple, industrious, humble, cheerful, serviceable, and hospitable.
Whatever may be the fashion, common sense, as well as piety, tells us that these are the proper qualifications for a wife and mother: for one who is to be a companion to her husband, the manager of domestic concerns, and trusted to form the minds of children. When the steward came to seek a wife for his master, he did not go to places of amusement and sinful pleasure, and pray that he might meet one there, but to the well of water, expecting to find one there properly occupied.
He prayed that God would make his way in this matter plain and clear to him. Our times are in God's hand—not only events themselves, but also their timing. We must be careful not to be over-bold in urging what God should do, lest the outcome should weaken our faith, rather than strengthen it. But God acknowledged him by making his way clear.
Rebekah, in all respects, matched the characteristics he sought in the woman who was to be his master's wife. When she came to the well, she went down and filled her pitcher, and came up to go home with it. She did not stand to gaze upon the strange man and his camels, but minded her business, and would not have been diverted from it except by an opportunity to do good.
She did not curiously or confidently enter into conversation with him, but answered him modestly. Being satisfied that the Lord had heard his prayer, he gave the young woman some ornaments worn in eastern countries, asking at the same time about her family. On learning that she was one of his master's relatives, he bowed down his head and worshipped, blessing God. His words were addressed to the Lord, but being spoken in Rebekah's hearing, she could perceive who he was and from where he came.
"And Rebekah had a brother, and his name was Laban: and Laban ran out unto the man, unto the fountain. And it came to pass, when he saw the ring, and the bracelets upon his sister`s hands, and when he heard the words of Rebekah his sister, saying, Thus spake the man unto me. That he came unto the man. And, behold, he was standing by the camels at the fountain. And he said, Come in, thou blessed of Jehovah. Wherefore standest thou without? For I have prepared the house, and room for the camels. And the man came into the house, and he ungirded the camels. And he gave straw and provender for the camels, and water to wash his feet and the feet of the men that were with him. And there was set food before him to eat. But he said, I will not eat, until I have told mine errand. And he said, Speak on. And he said, I am Abraham`s servant. And Jehovah hath blessed my master greatly. And he is become great. And he hath given him flocks and herds, and silver and gold, and men-servants and maid-servants, and camels and asses. And Sarah my master`s wife bare a son to my master when she was old. And unto him hath he given all that he hath. And my master made me swear, saying, Thou shalt not take a wife for my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell. But thou shalt go unto my father`s house, and to my kindred, and take a wife for my son. And I said unto my master, Peradventure the woman will not follow me. And he said unto me, Jehovah, before whom I walk, will send his angel with thee, and prosper thy way. And thou shalt take a wife for my son of my kindred, and of my father`s house. Then shalt thou be clear from my oath, when thou comest to my kindred. And if they give her not to thee, thou shalt be clear from my oath. And I came this day unto the fountain, and said, O Jehovah, the God of my master Abraham, if now thou do prosper my way which I go. Behold, I am standing by the fountain of water. And let it come to pass, that the maiden that cometh forth to draw, to whom I shall say, Give me, I pray thee, a little water from thy pitcher to drink. And she shall say to me, Both drink thou, and I will also draw for thy camels. Let the same be the woman whom Jehovah hath appointed for my master`s son. And before I had done speaking in my heart, behold, Rebekah came forth with her pitcher on her shoulder. And she went down unto the fountain, and drew. And I said unto her, Let me drink, I pray thee. And she made haste, and let down her pitcher from her shoulder, and said, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also. So I drank, and she made the camels drink also. And I asked her, and said, Whose daughter art thou? And she said, The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor`s son, whom Milcah bare unto him. And I put the ring upon her nose, and the bracelets upon her hands. And I bowed my head, and worshipped Jehovah, and blessed Jehovah, the God of my master Abraham, who had led me in the right way to take my master`s brother`s daughter for his son. And now if ye will deal kindly and truly with my master, tell me. And if not, tell me. That I may turn to the right hand, or to the left. Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, The thing proceedeth from Jehovah. We cannot speak unto thee bad or good. Behold, Rebekah is before thee, take her, and go, and let her be thy master`s son`s wife, as Jehovah hath spoken. And it came to pass, that, when Abraham`s servant heard their words, he bowed himself down to the earth unto Jehovah. And the servant brought forth jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment, and gave them to Rebekah. He gave also to her brother and to her mother precious things." — Genesis 24:29-53 (ASV)
The arrangement of the marriage between Isaac and Rebekah is recounted in great detail. We should notice God's providence in the common events of human life, and in those events, exercise prudence and other graces. Laban went to invite Abraham's servant in, but not until he saw the earring and bracelet on his sister's hands. We know Laban's character from his subsequent conduct, and may suppose that he would not have been so willing to welcome him if he had not hoped to be well rewarded for it.
The servant was intent on his business. Although he had just come from a journey and arrived at a good house, he would not eat until he had told his errand. Doing our work and fulfilling our responsibilities, whether for God or man, should be prioritized by us over our food: it was our Savior's food and drink (John 4:34). He tells them the instructions his master had given him, along with the reason for them. He recounts what had happened at the well to advance the proposal, clearly showing the finger of God in it.
Those events that seem to us to be the result of choice, planning, or chance, are appointed out by God. This does not hinder, but rather encourages, the use of all appropriate means. They freely and cheerfully agree to the proposal; and any matter is likely to be a source of comfort when it proceeds from the Lord. Abraham's servant thankfully acknowledges the good success he had experienced.
He was a humble man, and humble men are not ashamed to acknowledge their station in life, whatever it may be. All our temporal concerns are sweet when intermingled with godliness.
"And they did eat and drink, he and the men that were with him, and tarried all night. And they rose up in the morning, and he said, Send me away unto my master. And her brother and her mother said, Let the damsel abide with us [a few] days, at the least ten. After that she shall go. And he said unto them, Hinder me not, seeing Jehovah hath prospered my way. Send me away that I may go to my master. And they said, We will call the damsel, and inquire at her mouth. And they called Rebekah, and said unto her, Wilt thou go with this man? And she said, I will go. And they sent away Rebekah their sister, and her nurse, and Abraham`s servant, and his men. And they blessed Rebekah, and said unto her, Our sister, be thou [the mother] of thousands of ten thousands, and let thy seed possess the gate of those that hate them. And Rebekah arose, and her damsels, and they rode upon the camels, and followed the man. And the servant took Rebekah, and went his way. And Isaac came from the way of Beer-lahai-roi. For he dwelt in the land of the South. And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide. And he lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, there were camels coming. And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she alighted from the camel. And she said unto the servant, What man is this that walketh in the field to meet us? And the servant said, It is my master. And she took her veil, and covered herself. And the servant told Isaac all the things that he had done. And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah`s tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife. And he loved her. And Isaac was comforted after his mother`s death." — Genesis 24:54-67 (ASV)
Abraham's servant, as one who chose his work before his pleasure, was intent on hastening home. Lingering and loitering in no way befit a wise and good man who is faithful to his duty. Just as children should not marry without their parents' consent, so parents should not marry them without their own. Rebekah consented, not only to go, but to go at once.
The goodness of Rebekah's character shows there was nothing wrong with her answer, though it may not be agreeable to modern customs among us. We may hope that she had such an idea of the religion and godliness in the family she was going to, as made her willing to forget her own people and her father's house. Her friends sent her off with suitable attendants and with hearty good wishes.
They blessed Rebekah. When our relations are entering into a new condition, we should by prayer commend them to the blessing and grace of God. Isaac was well employed when he met Rebekah. He went out to take advantage of a silent evening and a solitary place for meditation and prayer; those divine exercises by which we converse with God and our own hearts. Holy souls love retirement; it will do us good to be often alone, if rightly employed; and we are never less alone than when alone.
Observe what an affectionate son Isaac was: it was about three years since his mother died, and yet he was not, until now, comforted. See also what an affectionate husband he was to his wife. Dutiful sons show good promise of becoming affectionate husbands; one who fulfills his first station in life with honor is likely to do the same in those that follow.
Jump to: