Genesis 24:32-49 - The Biblical Illustrator

Reader Related Verse
Bible Comments

Led me in the right way to take my master’s brother’s daughter unto his son

The marriage treaty

I. ITS RELIGIOUS ELEMENT.

1. The sense of instant duty.

2. A recognition of God’s gracious dealings.

3. A solemn sense of responsibility.

(1) To man.

(2) To God.

II. ITS ECONOMIC ELEMENT. The steward gives an account of Abraham’s wealth and position (Genesis 24:35). He knew that the parents of this well-bred damsel would never consent to give their daughter to a man of mean circumstances and living one hundred miles away, nor to one of ignoble or degraded family. He takes care, therefore, to state that his master is rich, and that the bride would have a suitable home and congenial society. Still, with that pious feeling which marked him hitherto, he takes equal care to note that the riches of his master were righteously gotten. “The Lord hath blessed my master greatly” (Genesis 24:35). He also gave suitable presents (Genesis 24:47). He treats her as one who is to enter such a distinguished family. In all this transaction the religious and the economic elements are mixed in due proportion. The men who most believed in the supernatural, and who had most abundant witness of it, were the men who used the most care in the employment of common prudence and skill. This man does not blindly rely upon miracles alone, but uses human means and proprieties to their proper extent and trusts for the blessing of God. (T H. Leale.)

Divine guidance

I. DIVINE GUIDANCE. God’s gracious way of saving sinners is a “right way.”

II. THE IMMUTABLE CHARACTER OF THE GUIDE.

III. THE DEVOTION OF THE GUIDED MAN. (J. Irons.)

Lessons

1. Fidelity makes servants own and honour their masters in performing their trust, especially in the Church (Genesis 24:34).

2. Pious souls know and acknowledge God to be the only author of the prosperity of His servants.

3. Prosperity of believers is God’s blessing. This maketh rich and adds no sorrow (Proverbs 10:22).

4. God is not strained towards His in outward things, when they are good for them.

5. Greatness of estate and honour sometimes God uniteth unto godliness. So it was here with Abraham (Genesis 24:35).

6. God’s miracles should be related when they make to His praise, and His people’s good. So doth he.

7. The heir of promise may be the heir of all things here below. So Isaac. So eminently Christ was.

8. It is but rational in seeking marriage to declare the state in measure which God hath given (Genesis 24:36). (G. Hughes, B. D.)

Related Commentaries of Genesis 24:32

Genesis 24:32-49

32 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.

33 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.

34 And he said, I am Abraham's servant.

35 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.

36 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.

37 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:

38 But thou shalt go unto my father's house, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son.

39 And I said unto my master, Peradventure the woman will not follow me.

40 And he said unto me, The LORD, 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:

41 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.

42 And I came this day unto the well, and said, O LORD God of my master Abraham, if now thou do prosper my way which I go:

43 Behold, I stand by the well of water; and it shall come to pass, that when the virgin cometh forth to draw water, and I say to her, Give me, I pray thee, a little water of thy pitcher to drink;

44 And she say to me, Both drink thou, and I will also draw for thy camels: let the same be the woman whom the LORD hath appointed out for my master's son.

45 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.

46 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.

47 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 earring upon her face, and the bracelets upon her hands.

48 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.

49 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.