“And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh:”
Which ceremony declared, the servant’s obedience towards his master, and the master’s power over the servant. Cross references: : Gen. 47:29
“And I will make thee swear by the LORD, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell:”
This showeth that an oath may be required in a lawful cause.
“But thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac.”
He would not that his son should marry out of the godly family: for the inconveniences that come by marrying with the ungodly are set forth in sundry places of the Scriptures.
“And Abraham said unto him, Beware thou that thou bring not my son thither again.”
Lest he should lose the inheritance promised.
“The LORD God of heaven, which took me from my father's house, and from the land of my kindred, and which spake unto me, and that sware unto me, saying, Unto thy seed will I give this land; he shall send his angel before thee, and thou shalt take a wife unto my son from thence.”
Gen. 12:7 ; Gen. 13:15 ; Gen. 15:18 ; Gen. 26:4
“And the servant took ten camels of the camels of his master, and departed; for all the goods of his master were in his hand: and he arose, and went to Mesopotamia, unto the city of Nahor. for: or, and”
Or, Mesopotamia, or, Syria of the two floods: to wit, of Tigris and Euphrates. That is, to Haran.
“And he said, O LORD God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day, and shew kindness unto my master Abraham.”
He groundeth his prayer upon God’s promise made to his master. Or, cause me to meet.
“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 shewed kindness unto my master.”
The servant moved by God’s spirit desired to be assured by a sign, whether God prospered his journey or no.
“And it came to pass, before he had done speaking, that, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother, with her pitcher upon her shoulder.”
God giveth good success to all things that are undertaken for the glory of his name and according to his word.
“And the damsel was very fair to look upon, a virgin, neither had any man known her: and she went down to the well, and filled her pitcher, and came up. very: Heb. good of countenance”
Here is declared that God ever heareth the prayers of his, and granteth their requests.
“And when she had done giving him drink, she said, I will draw water for thy camels also, until they have done drinking.”
Hebrew, have made an end of drinking .
“And it came to pass, as the camels had done drinking, that the man took a golden earring of half a shekel weight, and two bracelets for her hands of ten shekels weight of gold; earring: or, jewel for the forehead”
Or, earring. The golden shekel is here meant and not that of silver. God permitted many things both in apparel and other things which are now forbid: specially when they appertain not to our mortification.
“And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of my master Abraham, who hath not left destitute my master of his mercy and his truth: I being in the way, the LORD led me to the house of my master's brethren.”
He boasteth not his good fortune (as do the wicked) but acknowledgeth that God hath dealt mercifully with his master in keeping promise.
“And it came to pass, when he saw the earring and 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 stood by the camels at the well.”
For he waited on God’s hand, who had now heard his prayer.
“And the man came into the house: and he ungirded his camels, and gave straw and provender for the camels, and water to wash his feet, and the men's feet that were with him.”
To wit, Laban. The gentle entertainment of strangers used among the godly fathers.
“And there was set meat before him to eat: but he said, I will not eat, until I have told mine errand. And he said, Speak on.”
The fidelity that servants owe to their masters, causeth them to prefer their master’s business to their own necessity.
“And the LORD hath blessed my master greatly; and he is become great: and he hath given him flocks, and herds, and silver, and gold, and menservants, and maidservants, and camels, and asses.”
To bless, signifieth here to enrich, or increase with substance, as the text in the same verse declareth.
“And my master made me swear, saying, Thou shalt not take a wife to my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell:”
The Canaanites were accursed, and therefore the godly could not join with them in marriage.
“But thou shalt go unto my father's house, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son.”
Meaning among his kinsfolk, as verse 40.
“Then shalt thou be clear from this my oath, when thou comest to my kindred; and if they give not thee one, thou shalt be clear from my oath.”
Which by mine authority I caused thee to make.
“And before I had done speaking in mine heart, behold, Rebekah came forth with her pitcher on her shoulder; and she went down unto the well, and drew water: and I said unto her, Let me drink, I pray thee.”
Signifying that this prayer was not spoken by the mouth, but only meditated in his heart.
“And I bowed down my head, and worshipped the LORD, and blessed the LORD God of my master Abraham, which had led me in the right way to take my master's brother's daughter unto his son.”
He showeth what is our duty, when we have received any benefit of the Lord. Hebrew, in the way of truth .
“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.”
That is, that I may provide elsewhere. If you will freely and faithfully give your daughter to my master’s son.
“Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, The thing proceedeth from the LORD: we cannot speak unto thee bad or good.”
So soon as they perceive that it is God’s ordinance they yield.
“Behold, Rebekah is before thee, take her, and go, and let her be thy master's son's wife, as the LORD hath spoken.”
Or, at thy commandment. Or, ordained.
“And they said, We will call the damsel, and enquire at her mouth.”
This showeth that parents have not authority to marry their children without consent of the parties.
“And they blessed Rebekah, 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 which hate them.”
That is, let it be victorious over his enemies: which blessing is fully accomplished in Jesus Christ.
“And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide: and he lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, the camels were coming. to meditate: or, to pray”
This was the exercise of the godly fathers to meditate God’s promises, and to pray for the accomplishment thereof.
“For she had said unto the servant, What man is this that walketh in the field to meet us? And the servant had said, It is my master: therefore she took a vail, and covered herself.”
The custom was that the spouse was brought to her husband, her head being covered, in token of shamefastness and chastity.
“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.”
Or, had left mourning for his mother.