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27 - Commentary on The Book of Genesis · Commentary on The Book of Genesis

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Chapter twenty four, Marriages and funerals are the changes of families and the common
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news among the inhabitants of the villages. In the foregoing chapter, we had
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Abraham burying his wife. Here we have him marrying his son. These stories
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concerning his family, with their minute circumstances, are largely related, while the
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histories of the kingdoms of the world then in being, with their revolutions,
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are buried in silence, for the Lord knows those that are his. The
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subjoining of Isaac's marriage to Sarah's funeral, with a particular reference to it verse
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sixty seven, shows us that as one generation passes away, another generation comes,
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and thus the entail both of the human nature and of the covenant is
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preserved. Here is numeral one Abraham's care about the marrying of his son,
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and the charge he gave to his servant about it Verses one to nine.
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Numeral two. His servant's journey into Abraham's country to seek a wife for his
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young master among his own relations Verses ten to fourteen, Numeral three. The
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kind providence which brought him acquainted with Rebecca, whose father was Isaac's cousin German,
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Verses fifteen to twenty eight Numeral four, The Treaty of marriage with her
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relations, Verses twenty nine to forty nine Numeral five, Their consent obtained Verses
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fifty to sixty Numeral six. The Happy Meeting and marriage between Isaac and Rebecca
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Verse sixty one, et cetera. Abraham's charges to his servant BC. One
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thousand, eight hundred fifty seven one to nine. And Abraham was old and
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well stricken in age. And the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things.
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And Abraham said, unto his eldest servant of his house that ruled over all
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that he had put, I pray thee thy hand under my thigh, and
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I will make THEE swear by the Lord, the God of Heaven and the
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God of the Earth, that thou shalt not take a wife, and too,
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my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell,
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But thou shalt go unto my country and to my kindred and take a wife
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unto my son Isaac. And the servant said unto him, peradventure, the
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woman will not be willing to follow me unto this land. Must I needs
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bring thy son again unto the land from whence thou camest, and Abraham said
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unto him, beware thou, that thou bring not my son thither again.
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The Lord God of Heaven, which took me from my father's house and from
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the land of my kindred, and which spake unto me, and that swear
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unto me, say, being unto thy seat, will I give this land?
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He shall send his angel before thee, and thou shalt take a wife
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unto my son from thence. And if the woman will not be willing to
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follow thee, then thou shalt be clear from this my oath. Only bring
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not my son thither again. And the servant put his hand under the thigh
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of Abraham his master, and swear to him concerning that matter. Three things
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we may observe here concerning Abraham Numeral one. The care he took of a
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good son to get him married well married. It was high time to think
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of it now, for Isaac was about forty years old, and it had
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been customary with his ancestors to marry at thirty or sooner. Chapter eleven,
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Verses fourteen, eighteen, twenty two, and twenty four. Abraham believed the
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promise of the building up of his family and therefore did not not make haste,
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not more haste than good speed. Two considerations moved him to think of
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it now. Verse one. Number one that he himself was likely to leave
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the world quickly, for he was old and well stricken in age, and
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it would be a satisfaction to him to see his son settled before he died.
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And number two, that he had a good estate to leave behind him,
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for the Lord had blessed him in all things. And the blessing of
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the Lord makes rich See how much religion and piety befriended outward prosperity. Now,
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Abraham's pious care concerning his son was subscript one, that he should not
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marry a daughter of Canaan, but one of his kindred. He saw that
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the Canaanites were degenerating into great wickedness, and knew by revelation that they were
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designed for ruin, And therefore he would not marry his head son among them,
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lest they should be either a snare to his soul, or at least
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a blot to his name. Subscript two, that yet he should not leave
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the land of Canaan to go himself among his kindred, not even for the
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purpose of choosing a wife, lest he should be tempted to settle there.
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This caution is given verse six, and repeated verse eight. Bring not my
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son thither again, whatever comes of it. Let him rather want a wife
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than expose himself to that temptation. Note. Parents, and disposing of their
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children, should carefully consult the welfare of their souls and their furtherance in the
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way to Heaven. Those who, through grace have escaped the corruption that is
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in the world through lust, and have brought up their children accordingly, should
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take heed of doing anything by which they might be again entangled therein and overcome.
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Second in Peter two, verse twenty, beware that you bring them not
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thither again. Hebrews eleven, verse fifteen, numeral two. The charge he
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gave to a good servant, probably a liezer of Damascus, one of whose
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conduct, fidelity and affection to him and his family he had long experience.
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He trusted him with this great affair, and not Isaac himself, because he
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would not have Isaac go at all into that country, but marry there by
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proxy, and no proxy so fit as this steward of his house. This
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matter is settled between the master and the servant with a great deal of care
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and solemnity. Number one, The servant must be bound by an oath to
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do his utmost to get a wife for Isaac from among his relations. Verses
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two to four. Abraham swears him to it, both for his own satisfaction
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and for the engagement of his servant to all possible care and diligence in this
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matter. Thus God swears his servants to their work, that having sworn,
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they may perform it. Honor is here done to the eternal God, for
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he it is that is sworn by to whom alone these appeals ought to be
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made. And some think honor is done to the convenant of circumcision by the
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ceremony here used of putting his hand under his thigh. Note swearing, being
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an ordinance not peculiar to the Church, but common to mankind, is to
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be performed by such signs as are the appointments and common usages of our country
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for binding the person sworn. Number two. He must be clear of this
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oath. If when he had done his utmost, he could not prevail this
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proviso. The servant prudently inserted verse five, putting the case that the woman
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would not follow him and Abraham allowed the exception. Verse eight. Note Oaths
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are to be taken with great caution, and the matter sworn to should be
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rightly understood and limited, because it is a snare to devour that which is
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wholly. And after vows to make the inquiry which should have been made before
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Numeral three. The confidence he put in a good God, who he doubts
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not, will give his servants success in this undertaking. Verse seven. He
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remembers that God had wonderfully brought him out of the land of his nativity by
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the effectual call of his grace, and therefore doubts not, but he will
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succeed him in his care not to bring his son thither again. He remembers
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also the promise God had made and confirmed to him that he would give case
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Cainan to his seed, And thence in first that God would own him in
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his endeavors to match his son, not among those devoted nations, but to
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one that was fit to be the mother of such a seed. Fear not,
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therefore he shall send his angel before thee to make thy way prosperous.
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Note number one. Those that carefully keep in the way of duty and govern
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themselves by the principles of their religion, in their designs and undertakings, have
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good reason to expect prosperity and success in them. God will cause that to
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issue in our comfort, in which we sincerely aim at His glory. Number
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two, God's promises and our own experiences are sufficient to encourage our dependence upon
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God and our expectations from Him in all the affairs of this life. Number
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three, God's angels are ministering spirits, sent forth not only for the protection
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but for the guidance of the heirs of promise. He was one verse fourteen,
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he shall send his angel before thee, and then thou wilt speed well.
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Journey of Abraham's servant b. C. One thousand, eight hundred fifty
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seven, Verse ten to twenty eight. And the servant took ten camels of
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the camels of his master and departed, for all the goods of his master
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were in his hand. And he arose and went to Mesopotamia under the city
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of Neeor. And he made his camels to kneel down without the city by
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a well of water at the time of the evening, even the time that
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women go out to draw water. And he said, O, Lord,
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God of my Master, Abraham, opray THEE send me good speed this day,
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and show kindness unto my master Abraham. Behold, I stand here by
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the well of water, and the daughters of the men of the city come
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out to draw water. And let it come to pass that the damsel to
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whom I shall say, let down that picture. I pray THEE that I
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may drink, and she shall say drink, and I will give thy camels
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drink. Also, let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy
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servant, Isaac. And thereby shall I know that thou hast showed kindness unto
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my master. And it came to pass before he had done speaking that Behold,
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Rebecca came out, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milka,
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the wife of Neer, Abraham's brother, with her pitcher upon her shoulder.
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And the damsel was very fair to look upon, a virgin. Neither had
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any man known her. And she went down to the well and filled her
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pitcher and came up, and the servant ran to meet her and said,
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let me, I pray THEE drink a little water of thy pitcher. And
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she said, drink, my lord. And she hasted and let down her
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pitcher upon her hand and gave him drink. And when she had done giving
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him drink, she said, I will draw water for thy camels also until
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they have done drinking. And she hasted and emptied her pitcher into the trough,
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and ran again under the well to draw water, and drew for all
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his camels. And the man, wondering at her, held his peace to
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wit whether the Lord had made his journey prosperous or not. And it came
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to pass as the camels had done drinking, that the man took a golden
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ear ring of half a shakel wade, and two bracelets for her hands of
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ten shakles weight of gold, and said, whose daughter art thou? Tell
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me? I pray thee is there room in their father's house for us to
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lodge in? And she said unto him, I am the daughter of Bethuel,
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the son of Milcah, which she bare unto neyor she said, moreover,
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unto him, we have both straw and provender enough and room to lodge
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in. And the man bowed down his head and worshiped the Lord. And
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he said, blessed with the Lord God of my master Abraham, who hath
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not left destitute my master, of his mercy and his truth. I being
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in the way, the Lord led me to the house of my master's brethren,
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and the damsel ran and told them of her mother's house. These things.
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Abraham's servant now begins to make a figure in this story. And though
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he is not named yet, much is here recorded to his honor and for
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an example to all servants, who shall be honored if by faithfully serving God
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and their masters, they adorn the doctrine of Christ. Compare Proverbs twenty seven,
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verse eighteen with Titus two, verse ten. For there is no respect
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of persons with God Colossians three, verse twenty four and twenty five. A
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good servant that makes conscience of the duty of his place and does it in
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the fear of God, though he make not a figure in the world,
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nor have praise of men, yet shall be owned and accepted of God and
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have praise of Him. Observe here numeral one. How faithful Abraham's servant approved
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himself to his master. Having received his charge, he with all expedition,
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set out on his journey, with an equipage suitable to the object of his
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negotiation verse ten. And he had all the goods of his master, that
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is, a schedule or particular account of them in his hand, to show
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to those with whom he was to treat. For from the first to last
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he consulted his master's honor. Isaac being a type of Christ. Some make
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this fetching of a wife for him to signify the espousing of the church by
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the agency of his servant, the ministers. The church is the bride the
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lamb's wife, Revelation twenty one, verse nine. Christ is the bridegroom,
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and ministers are the friends of the bridegroom, John three, verse twenty nine,
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whose work it is to persuade souls to consent to him. Second Corinthians
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eleven, verse two. The spells of Christ must not be of the Canaanites,
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but of his own kindred, born again from above. Ministers, like
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Abraham's servant, must lay out themselves with the utmost wisdom and care to serve
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their master's interest. Herein numeral two, how devoutly he acknowledged God in this
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affair, like one of that happy household which Abram had commanded to keep the
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way of the Lord et cetera. Chapter eighteen, verse nineteen. He arrived
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early in the evening after many days journeying at the place of his destined nation,
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and repose himself by a well of water to consider how he might manage
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his business for the best. And Number one, he acknowledges God by a
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particular prayer verse twelve to fourteen, wherein subscript one he petitions for prosperity and
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good success in this affair, Send me good speed this day. Note we
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have leave to be particular in recommending our affairs to the conduct and care of
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the divine providence. Those that would have good speed must pray for it this
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day. In this affair, thus we must in all our ways acknowledge God
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Proverbs three, verse six. And if we thus look up to God in
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every undertaking which we are in care about, we shall have the comfort of
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having done our duty, whatever the issue be. Subscript two he pleads God's
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covenant with his master Abraham. O, God, my master Abraham, show
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kindness to him. Note as the children of good parents, so the servants
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of good masters have peculiar encouragement in the prayers they offered to God for prosperity
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and success. Subscript three he proposes a sign verse fourteen, not by it
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to limit God, nor with a design to proceed no further if he were
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not gratified in it. But it is a prayer some point one, that
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God would provide a good wife for his young master, And this was a
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good prayer. He knew that a prudent wife is from the Lord Proverbs nineteen
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verse fourteen, and therefore that for this he will be inquired of. He
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desires that his master's wife might be humble and industrious woman, bred up to
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care and labor, and willing to put her hand to any work that was
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to be done, and that she might be of a courteous disposition and charitable
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to strangers. When he came to seek a wife for his master, he
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did not go to the playhouse or the park and pray that he might meet
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one there, but to the well of water, expecting to find one there.
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Well employed some point two that he would please to make his way in
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this matter plain and clear before him by the concurrence of minute circumstances in his
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favor. Note First, it is the comfort as well as the belief of
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a good man, that God's providence extends itself to the smallest occurrences, and
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admirably serves its own purposes. By them, our times are in God's hand,
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not only evinced themselves, but the times of them. Secondly, it
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is our wisdom in all our affairs to follow providence, and folly to force
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it. Thirdly, it is very desirable and that which we may lawfully pray
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for. While in the general we set God's will before us as our rule,
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that he will, by hints of providence, direct us in the way
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of our duty, and give us indications what his mind is. Thus he
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guides his people with his eye Psalm thirty two, verse eight, and leads
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them in a plain path Psalm twenty seven, verse eleven. Number two.
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God owns him by a particular providence. He decreed the thing, and it
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was established to him Job twenty two, verse twenty eight, according to his
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faith, So was it unto him. The answer to this prayer was subscript
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one speedy before he had made an end of speaking verse fifteen. As it
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is written Isaiah sixty five, verse twenty four, while they are yet speaking,
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I will hear. Though we are backward to pray, God is forward
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to hear prayer Subscript two, satisfactor. The first that came to draw water
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was and did in everything according to his own heart. Some point one,
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she was so well qualified that in all respects she answered the characters he wished
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for in the woman that was to be his master's wife, handsome and healthful,
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humble and industrious, very courteous, and obliging to a stranger, and
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having all the marks of a good disposition. When she came to the well
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verse sixteen, she went down and filled her pitcher, and came up to
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go home with it. She did not stand to gaze upon the strange man
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and his camels, but minded her business, and would not have been diverted
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from it but by an opportunity of doing good. She did not curiously nor
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confidently enter into discourse with him, but modestly answered him with all the decorum
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that became her sex. What a degenerate age do we live in, in
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which appear all the instances of pride, luxury, and laziness, the reverse
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of Rebecca's character, Whose daughters few are Those instances of goodness which were then
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in honor, are now in contempt. Some point two, Providence so ordered
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it that she did that which exactly answered to his sign, and was wonderfully
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the counterpart of his proposal. She not only gave him drink, but which
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was more than could have been expected. She offered her services to give his
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camels drink, which was the very sign he proposed. Note First, God,
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in his providence, does sometimes wonderfully own the prayer of faith and gratify
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the innocent desires of his praying people, even in little things, that he
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may show the extent of his care, and may encourage them at all times
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times to seek Him and trust in Him. Yet we must take heed of
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being overbold in prescribing to God, lest the event should weaken our faith rather
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than strengthen it. Secondly, it is good to take all opportunities of showing
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a humble, courteous, charitable disposition, because sometime or other it may turn
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more to our honor and benefit than we think of. Some hereby have entertained
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angels, and Rebecca, hereby, quite beyond our expectation at this time,
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was brought into the line of Christ and the Covenant. Thirdly, there may
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be a great deal of obliging kindness, and that which costs but little.
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Our Savior has promised a reward for a cup of cold water. Matthew ten,
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verse forty two. Fourthly, the concurrence of providences and their minute circumstances
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for the furtherance of our success in any business, ought to be particularly observed
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with wonder and thankfulness. To the glory of God. The man wondered verse
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twenty one, we have been wanting to ourselves, both in duty and in
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comfort, by neglecting to observe providence se point three. Upon inquiry, he
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found to his great satisfaction that she was a near relation to his master,
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and that the family she was of was considerable and able to give him entertainment
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Verse twenty three to twenty five. Note Providence sometimes wonderfully directs those that,
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by faith and prayer seek direction from Heaven, and the choice of suitable yokefellows,
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happy marriages, those are likely to be that are made in the fear
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of God, and these we are sure are made in Heaven. Number three.
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He acknowledges God in a particular thanksgiving. He first paid his respects to
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Rebecca in gratitude for her civilian verse twenty two, obliging her with such ornaments
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an attire as a maid, especially a bride, cannot forget Jeremiah two,
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verse thirty two, which yet we should think ill suited the picture of water.
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But the ear rings and bracelets she sometimes wore did not make her think
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herself above the labors of a virtuous woman Proverbs thirty one, verse thirteen,
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who works willingly with her hands, nor the services of a child, who
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while under age, differs nothing from a servant Galatians four, verse one.
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Having done this, he turns his wonder verse twenty one, into worshiping,
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blessed be the Lord, God of my master Abraham verse twenty six and twenty
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seven. Observe here. Subscript one. He had prayed for good speed verse
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twelve, and now that he had spit well, he gives thanks. Note
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what we win by prayer, we must wear with praise for mercies in answer
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to prayer, lay us under particular obligations. Subscript two. He had as
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yet but a comfortable prospect of mercy, and was not certain what the issue
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might prove. Yet he gives thanks. Note when God's favors are coming toward
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us, we must meet them with our praises. Subscript three. He blesses
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God for success when he was negotiating for his master. Note, we should
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be thankful for our friend's mercies as for our own. Subscript four, he
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gives thanks that, being in the way at a loss what course to steer,
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the Lord had led him. Note in doubtful cases, it is very
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comfortable to see God leading us as he led Israel in the wilderness by the
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pillar of cloud and fire. Subscript five. He thinks himself very happy and
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owns God in it that he was led to the house of his master's brethren,
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those of them that had come out of err of the Chaldes, though
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they had not come to Canaan, but remained in Haran. They were not
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idolaters, but worshipers of the True God, and inclinable to the religion of
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Abraham's family. Note God is to be acknowledged in providing suitable yoke fellows,
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especially such as are agreeable in religion. Subscript six. He acknowledges that God
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herein had not left his master destitute of his mercy and truth. God had
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promised to build up Abraham's family, Yet it seemed destitute of the benefit of
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that promise. But now Providence is working toward the accomplishing of it. Note
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some point one, God's faithful ones, now destitute, soever they may be
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of worldly comforts, shall never be left destitute of God's mercy and truth.
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For God's mercy is an inexhaustible fountain, and his truth an inviolable foundation.
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Some point two. It adds much to the comfort of any blessing to see
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in it the continuance of God's mercy and truth. Abraham's Servant entertained by Laban
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Errand of Abraham's Servant b. C. One thousand, eight hundred and fifty
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seven, Verses twenty nine to fifty three. And Rebecca had a brother,
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and his name was Laban. And Laban ran out unto the man, unto
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the well. And it came to pass when he saw the ear ring and
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bracelets upon his sister's hands, and when he heard the words of Rebecca,
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his sister saying, thus spake the man unto me, that he came unto
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the man, and behold he stood by the case camels at the well,
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and he said, come in, thou, blessed of the Lord. Wherefore
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standest thou without, for I have prepared the house and room for the camels.
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And the man came into the house, and he ungirded his camels,
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and gave straw and provender for the camels, and water to wash his feet
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and the men's feet that were with him. And there was set meat before
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him to eat. But he said, I will not eat until I have
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told mine errand and he said, speak on. And he said, I
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am Abraham's servant. And the Lord hath blessed my master greatly, and he
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has become great. And he hath given him flocks and herds, and silver
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and gold, and men's servants and maid servants, and camels and asses.
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And Sarah, my master's wife, bear a son to my master when she
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was old, and unto him had he given all that he hath. And
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my master made me swear, saying, thou shalt not take a wife to
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my son, of the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell,
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But thou shalt go unto my father's house and to my kindred, and
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take a wife unto my son. And I said, unto my master,
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peradventure, the woman will not follow me. And he said, unto me,
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the Lord before whom I walk will send his angel with thee and prosper
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thy way. And thou shalt take a wife from my son of my kindred
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and of my father's house. Then shalt thou be clear from this my oath
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when thou comest to my kindred, And if they give not thee one,
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thou shalt be clear from my oath. And I came this day unto the
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well, and said, O, Lord God of my master Abraham, if
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now thou do prosper my way which I go. Behold, I stand by
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the well of water. And it shall come to pass that when the Virgin
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cometh forth to draw water, and I say to her, give me I
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pray thee a little water of thy picture to drink. And she say to
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me, both drink thou, and I will also draw for that camel's.
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Let the same be the woman whom the Lord hath appointed out for my master's
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son. And before I had done speaking in myne heart, behold, Rebecca
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came forth with her pitcher on her shoulder, and she went down unto the
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well and drew water. And I said, unto her, let me drink,
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I pray thee. And she made haste and let down her pitcher from
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her shoulder, and said, drink, and I will give that camel's drink
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also. So I drank, and she made the camels drink also, and
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I asked her, and said, whose daughter art thou. And she said,
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the daughter of Bethule, nay, your son, whom milker brennto him.
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And I put the ear ring upon her face and the bracelets upon her
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hands. And I bout down my head and worshiped the Lord and blessed the
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Lord God of my master Abraham, which had led me in the right way
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to take my master's brother's daughter to his son. And now, if ye
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will deal kindly and truly with my master, tell me, and if not,
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tell me that I may turn to the right hand or to the left.
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Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, the thing proceedeth from the Lord.
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We cannot speak unto THEE bad or good. Behold, Rebeccah is before
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THEE. Take her and go and let her be thy master son's wife.
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As the Lord hath spoken. And it came to pass that when Abraham's servant
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heard their words, he worshiped the Lord, bowing himself to the earth.
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And the servant brought forth jewels of silver and jewels of gold and Raymond and
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gave them to Rebeccah. He gave also to her brother and to her mother
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precious things we have heard the making up of the marriage between Isaac and Rebecca.
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It is related very largely, and particularly even to the minute circle cumstances,
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which we should think might have been spared, while other things of great
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moment and mystery, as the story of Melchizedic, are related in few words.
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Thus, God conceals that which is curious from the wise and prudent,
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reveals to babes that which is common and leveled to their capacity Matthew eleven,
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verse twenty five, and rules and saves the world by the foolishness of preaching
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First Corinthians one twenty one. Thus also we are directed to take notice of
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God's providence in the little common occurrences of human life, and in them also
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to exercise our own prudence and other graces. For the scripture was not intended
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for the use of philosophers and statesmen only, but to make us all wise
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and virtuous, and the conduct of ourselves and families. Here is Numeral one
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the very kind reception given to Abraham's servant by Rebecca's relations. Her brother Laban
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went to invite and conduct him in, but not till he saw the ear
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rings and the bracelets upon his sister's hands verse thirty Oh thinks Laban here is
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a man, that there is something to be got by a man that is
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rich and generous. We will be sure to bid him welcome. We know
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so much of Laban's character by the following story as to think that he would
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not have been so free of his entertainment if he had not hoped to be
33:34
well paid for it as he was verse fifty three. Note a man's gift
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maketh room for him Proverbs eighteen, verse sixteen. Which waysoever it turneth it
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prospereth Proverbs seventeen, verse eight. Number one. The invitation was kind,
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Come in thou blessed of the Lord verse thirty one. They saw all he
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was rich, and therefore pronounced him blessed of the Lord. Or perhaps because
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they heard from Rebeccah verse twenty eight, of the gracious words which proceeded out
34:10
of his mouth, they concluded him a good man and therefore blessed of the
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Lord. Note those that are blessed of God should be welcomed to us.
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It is good owning those whom God owns. Number two. The entertainment was
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kind verse thirty two and thirty three. Both the house and stable were well
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furnished, and Abraham's servant was invited to the free use of both. Particular
34:39
care was taken of the camels. For a good man regardeth the life of
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his beast Probabs twelve, verse ten. If the ox knows his owner to
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serve him, the owner should know his ox to provide for him that which
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is fitting for him. Numeral two. The full account which he he gave
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them of his errand, and the court he made to them for their constant
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respecting Rebecca observe number one. How intent he was upon his business. Though
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he had come off a journey and come to a good house, he would
35:15
not eat till he had told his errand verse thirty three. Note the doing
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of our work and the fulfilling of our trusts, either for God or man,
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should be preferred by us before our necessary food. It was our saviour's
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meat and drink. John four, verse thirty four, Number two. How
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ingenious he was in the management of it. He approved himself in this matter,
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both a prudent man and a man of integrity, faithful to his master
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by whom he was trusted, and just to those with whom he now treated.
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Subscript one, he gives a short account of the state of his master's
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family twenty four to thirty six. He was welcome before that we may suppose
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him doubly welcome when he said I am Abraham's servant. Abraham's name, no
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doubt, was well known among them and respected, and we might suppose them
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not altogether ignorant of his state, for Abraham knew theirs. Chapter twenty two,
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Verses twenty to twenty four. Two things he suggests to recommend his proposal,
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some point one that his master, Abraham, through the blessing of God,
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had a very good estate, and some point two that he had settled
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it all upon Isaac, for whom he was now a suitor. Subscript two.
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He tells them the charge his master had given him to fetch a wife
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for his son from among his kindred, with the reason of it Verse thirty
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seven and thirty eight. Thus he insinuates a pleasing hint that though Abraham had
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removed to a country at so great distance, yet he still retained the remembrance
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of his relations that he had left behind, and a respect for them.
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The highest degrees of divine affection must not divest us of natural affection. He
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likewise obviates an objection that, if Isaac were deserving, he needed not send
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so far off for a wife. Why did he not marry nearer home?
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For a good reason, says he, My master's son must not match with
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a Canaanite. He further recommends his proposal some point one from the faith his
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master had that it would succeed. Verse forty. Abraham took encouragement from the
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testimony of his conscience that he walked before God in a regular course of holy
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living, and thence inferred that God would prosper him. Probably he refers to
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that covenant which God had made with him. Chapter seventeen, Verse one,
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I am God all sufficient walk before me. Therefore, says he, the
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God before whom I walk will send his angel. Note while we make conscience
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of our part of the convenant, we may take the comfort of God's part
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of it, and we should learn to apply general promises of particular cases as
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there is occasion. Some point two from the care he himself had taken to
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preserve their liberty of giving or refusing their consent as they should see cause without
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incurring the guilt of perjury. Rose thirty nine to forty one, which showed
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him in general to be a cautious man, and particularly careful that their consent
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might not be forced, but be either free or not at all. Subscript
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three, he relates to them the wonderful concurrence of providences to countenance on further
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the proposal, plainly showing the finger of God in it. Point point one
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he tells them how he had prayed for direction by a sign verse forty two
39:05
to forty four. Note it is a good dealing with those who by prayer
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take God along with them in their dealings. S point two. How God
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had answered his prayer in the very letter of it, though he did but
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speak in his heart verse forty five, which perhaps he mentions, lest it
39:23
should be suspected that Rebecca had overheard his prayer and designedly humored it. No,
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says he, I spoke it in my heart, so that none heard
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it but God, to whom thought or word, and from him the answer
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came verse forty six and forty seven. Sub point three. How he had
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immediately acknowledged God's goodness to him therein leading him, as he here expresses it,
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in the right way. Note God's way is always the right way.
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Psalm one hundred seven verse seven, and those are well led whom he leads.
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Subscript four. He fairly refers the matter to their consideration and waits their
40:10
decision verse forty nine. If you will deal kindly and truly with my master,
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well and good, if you will be sincerely kind, you will accept
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the proposal, and I have what I came for. If not, do
40:27
not hold me in suspense. Note those who deal fairly have reason to expect
40:32
fair dealing. Subscript five. They freely and cheerfully close with a proposal upon
40:39
a very good principle Verse fifty. The thing proceedeth from the Lord. Providence
40:46
smiles upon it, and we have nothing to say against it. They do
40:52
not object distance of place, Abraham's forsaking them, or his having no land
40:57
in procession, but personal estate owned. They do not question the truth of
41:01
what this man said, But some point one they trust much to his integrity.
41:07
It where well, if honesty did so universally prevail among men, that
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it might be as much an act of prudence as it is of good nature
41:16
to take a man's word sub point two. They trust more to God's providence,
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and therefore by silence give consent because it appears to be directed and disposed
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by infinite wisdom. Note a marriage is then likely to be comfortable when it
41:37
appears to proceed from the Lord. Subscript six. Abraham's servant makes a thankful
41:44
acknowledgment of the good success he had met with su point one to God.
41:50
He worshiped the Lord verse fifty two. Observe first as his good success went
41:57
on, He went on to bless God. Those that pray without ceasing should
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in everything give thanks and own God in every step of mercy. Secondly,
42:08
God sent his angel before him and so gave him success verse seven and verse
42:14
forty. But when he has the desired success, he worships God, not
42:20
the Angel. Whatever benefit we have by the ministration of angels, all the
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glory must be given to the Lord of the angels Revelation twenty two, Verse
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nine some point two. He pays his respects to the family also, and
42:37
particularly to the bride Verse fifty three. He presented her and her mother and
42:44
brother with many precious things, both to give a real proof of his master's
42:50
riches and generosity and ingratitude for their civility to him, and further to ingratiate
42:57
himself with them. Rebecca's departure b See one thousand, eight hundred fifty seven,
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Verses fifty four to sixty one. And they did eat and drink he
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and the men that were with him, and tear it all night. And
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they rose up in the morning, and he said, send me away unto
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my master. And her brother and her mother said, let the damsel abide
43:23
with us a few days at the least ten after that she shall go.
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And he said, unto them, hinder me, not seeing the Lord hath
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prospered my way, send me away, that I may go to my master.
43:37
And they said, we will call the damsel and inquire at her mouth.
43:40
And they called Rebecca and said, unto her, wilt thou go with
43:45
this man? And she said, I will go. And they sent away
43:50
Rebeccah, their sister, and her nurse, and Abraham's servant and his men.
43:54
And they blessed Rebecca and said, unto her, thou art our sister,
44:00
be thou the mother of thousands of millions, and let thy seed possess
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the gait of those which hate them. And Rebecca arose and her damsels,
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and they rode upon the camels and followed the man and the servant took Rebecca
44:15
and went his way. Rebecca is here taking leave of her father's house,
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and number one Abraham's servant presses for a dismission. Though he and his company
44:30
were very welcome and very cheerful there, yet he said send me away verse
44:35
fifty four, and again verse fifty six. He knew his master would expect
44:40
him home with some impatience. He had business to do at home which wanted
44:45
him, and therefore, as one that preferred his work before his pleasure,
44:51
he was for hastening home. Note lingering and loitering no way become a wise
44:57
and good man. When we have disp batched our business abroad, we must
45:01
not delay our return to our business at home, nor be longer from it
45:07
than needs must. For as a bird that wanders from her nest, so
45:10
is he that wanders from his place. Proverbs twenty seven, verse eight.
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Number two. Rebecca's relations from natural affection, and according to the usual expression
45:22
of kindness in that case, solicit for her stays some time among them verse
45:28
fifty five. They could not think of parting with her on a sudden,
45:32
especially as she was about the remove so far off, and it was not
45:37
likely that they would ever see one another again. Let her stay a few
45:44
days at least ten, which makes it as reasonable a request as the reading
45:49
in the margin seems to make it unreasonable. A year or at least ten
45:53
months. They had consented to the marriage, and yet were aloth to part
46:00
with her. Note it is an instance of the vanity of this world that
46:05
there is nothing in it so agreeable, but it has its alloy Nolla asked
46:10
sin sera voluptas there is no unmingled pleasure. They were pleased that they had
46:19
matched a daughter of their family so well, and yet when it came to
46:23
the last, it was with great reluctance that they sent her away. Number
46:30
three, Rebecca herself determined the matter to her. They appealed, as it
46:36
was fit they should verse fifty seven. Call the damsel, who had retired
46:40
to her apartment, with a modest silence, and inquire at her mouth.
46:46
Note as children ought not to marry without their parents consent, so parents ought
46:53
not to marry them without their own Before the matter is resolved, on ask
47:00
at the damsel's mouth. She is a party principally concerned, and therefore ought
47:05
to be principally consulted Rebecca consented not only to go, but to go immediately.
47:13
I will go verse fifty eight. We may hope that the notice she
47:16
had taken of the servant's piety and devotion gave her such an idea of the
47:22
prevalence of religion and godliness, and the family she was to go to,
47:27
made her desirous to hasten thither, and willing to forget her own people and
47:32
her father's house, where religion had not so much the ascendant number four.
47:38
Hereupon she is sent away with Abraham's servant, not, we may suppose,
47:45
the very next day after, but very quickly her friends see that she has
47:50
a good heart on it, and so they dismiss her subscript one with suitable
47:55
attendance her nurse verse fifty nine, her amsels verse sixty one. It seems,
48:02
then, that when she went to the well for water, it was
48:06
not because she had not servants at command, but because she took a pleasure
48:10
in works of humble industry. Now that she was going among strangers, it
48:15
was fit she should take those with her with whom she was acquainted. Here
48:21
is nothing said of her portion. Her personal merits were a portion in her
48:27
She needed none with her, nor did that ever come into the treaty of
48:30
marriage Subscript two. With hearty good wishes, they blessed Rebecca verse sixty.
48:38
Note, when our relations are entering into a new condition, we ought by
48:44
prayer to recommend them to the blessing and grace of God. Now that she
48:50
was going to be a wife, they prayed that she might be a mother
48:53
both of a numerous and of a victorious progeny. Perhaps Abraham's service had told
49:00
them of the promise God had lately made to his master, which it is
49:05
likely Abraham acquainted his household with, that God would multiply his seed as the
49:10
stars of heaven, and that they should possess the gait of their enemies.
49:15
Chapter twenty two, verse seventeen, to which promise they had an eye in
49:21
this blessing, be thou the mother of that seed. Isaac's marriage b.
49:28
C. One eight hundred fifty seven, Verses sixty two to sixty seven.
49:34
And Isaac came from the way of the well Lehiroi, for he dwelt in
49:39
the south country. And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the
49:45
eventide. And he lifted up his eyes and saw and behold the camels were
49:51
coming, and Rebecca lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac,
49:55
she lighted off the camel. For she had said, unto the ser what
50:00
man is this that walketh in the field to meet us? And the servant
50:06
had said, it is my master. Therefore she took a veil and covered
50:09
herself, and the servant told Isaac all things that he had done. And
50:16
Isaac brought her into his mother, Sarah's tent, and took Rebecca, and
50:21
she became his wife, and he loved her, and Isaac was comforted after
50:27
his mother's death. Isaac and Rebecca are at length happily brought together. Observe
50:35
Numeral one. Isaac was well employed when he met Rebecca. He went out
50:40
to meditate or pray in the field at the eventide verse sixty two and sixty
50:46
three something. He expected the return of his servants about this time, and
50:52
went out on purpose to meet them. But it should seem he went out
50:58
on another errand to take the advantage of a silent evening and a solitary field
51:04
for meditation and prayer, those divine exercises by which we converse with God and
51:09
our own hearts. Note number one Holy souls love retirement. It will do
51:16
us good to be often left alone, walking alone and sitting alone. And
51:22
if we have the art of improving solitude, we shall find we are never
51:28
less alone than when alone. Number two. Meditation and prayer ought to be
51:34
both our business and our delight when we are alone. While we have a
51:38
God, a Christ, and a heaven to acquaint ourselves with and to secure
51:44
our interest in. We need not want matter either for meditation or prayer,
51:49
which, if they go together, will mutually befriend each other. Number three.
51:54
Our walks in the field are then truly pleasant when in them them we
52:00
apply ourselves to meditation and prayer. We there have a free and open prospect
52:07
of the heavens above us and the earth around us, and the host and
52:12
riches of both, by the view of which we should be led to the
52:15
contemplation of the maker and owner of all. Number four. The exercises of
52:23
devotion should be the refreshment and entertainment of the evening, to relieve us from
52:30
the fatigue occasioned by the care and business of the day, and to prepare
52:35
us for the repose and sleep of the night. Number five. Merciful providences
52:43
are then doubly comfortable when they find us well employed and in the way of
52:47
our duty. Some think Isaac was now praying for good success in this affair,
52:53
that was depending and meditating upon that which was proper to encourage his hope
52:59
in God concerning it. And now when he sets himself, as it were,
53:04
a punished watchtower, to see what God would answer him. As the
53:07
prophet a back of two verse one, he sees the camel's coming. Sometimes
53:14
God sends in the mercy prayed for immediately Acts twelve, Verse twelve, numeral
53:21
two. Rebecca behaved herself very becomingly when she met Isaac. Understanding who he
53:28
was, she alighted off her camel verse sixty four and took a veil and
53:32
covered herself verse sixty five in token of humility, modesty, and subjection.
53:40
She did not reproach Isaac for not coming himself to fetch her, or at
53:45
least to meet her a day's journey or two. Did not complain of the
53:50
tediousness of her journey or the difficulty of leaving her relations to come into a
53:54
strange place. But having seen Providence going before her her in the affair,
54:00
she accommodates herself with cheerfulness to her new relation. Those that by faith are
54:07
espoused to Christ and would be presented as chaste virgins to him, must,
54:13
in conformity to his example, humble themselves, as Rebecca, who alighted when
54:19
she saw Isaac on foot, and must put themselves into subjection to him who
54:24
is their head Ephesians five, verse twenty four, as Rebecca signifying it by
54:30
the veil she put on first Corinthians eleven, verse ten, numeral three.
54:37
They were brought together, probably after some further acquaintance to their mutual comfort verse
54:44
sixty seven. Observe here number one, what an affectionate son he was to
54:51
his mother? It was about three years since her death, and yet he
54:54
was not till now comforted concerning it. The wound which that of affliction gave
55:00
to his tender spirit blood so long, and was never healed till God brought
55:06
him into this new relation. Thus, crosses and comforts are balances to each
55:13
other Ecclesiastes seven, verse fourteen, and helped to keep the scale even.
55:19
Number two, What an affectionate husband he was to his wife. Note those
55:24
that have approved themselves well in one relation, it may be hoped, will
55:30
do so in another she became his wife, and he loved her. There
55:36
was all the reason of the world why he should for so ought men to
55:40
love their wives even as themselves. The duty of the relation is then done,
55:45
and the comfort of the relation is then enjoyed when mutual love governs.
55:52
For there the Lord commands the blessing. End of chapter