John Chrysostom — Commentary on Scripture

Genesis 21:19

Mindful of this, let us, I beseech you, shun the harm of this passion and with all our might exterminate it from our own souls. This, after all, is more deadly than all other passions and undermines our very salvation, being in fact the invention of the wicked demon. Hence a certain sage also said, “Through the devil’s envy death entered the world.” What is meant by “through the devil’s envy death entered the world”?You see, since this wicked beast saw that the first-formed human being was created immortal, by his characteristic wickedness he led him on to disobedience of the command and in that way caused him to bring on himself the penalty of death. So envy caused deception, deception caused disobedience, and disobedience caused death. Hence the text says, “Through the devil’s envy death entered the world.” Do you see the extent of the harm caused by this passion? It made the one given the privilege of immortality undergo death. The enemy of our salvation, however, introduced the envy characteristic of himself and caused the first-formed human being, immortal though he was, to come…

Mindful of this, let us, I beseech you, shun the harm of this passion and with all our might exterminate it from our own souls. This, after all, is more deadly than all other passions and undermines our very salvation, being in fact the invention of the wicked demon. Hence a certain sage also said, “Through the devil’s envy death entered the world.” What is meant by “through the devil’s envy death entered the world”?You see, since this wicked beast saw that the first-formed human being was created immortal, by his characteristic wickedness he led him on to disobedience of the command and in that way caused him to bring on himself the penalty of death. So envy caused deception, deception caused disobedience, and disobedience caused death. Hence the text says, “Through the devil’s envy death entered the world.”
Do you see the extent of the harm caused by this passion? It made the one given the privilege of immortality undergo death. The enemy of our salvation, however, introduced the envy characteristic of himself and caused the first-formed human being, immortal though he was, to come under sentence of death, whereas the caring and loving Lord by his own death once again bestowed upon us immortality, and so we found greater benefits than we had lost. The former took us out of paradise; the latter led us into heaven. The former caused us to be condemned to death; the latter bestowed upon us immortality. The former deprived us of the delights of paradise; the latter prepared for us the kingdom of heaven. Do you see the inventiveness of your Lord in that he directed against the devil’s head his own weapons of malice against our salvation? In fact, not only did he regale us with greater benefits, but also he made him subject to us in the words “Behold, I have given you power to walk over snakes and scorpions.”
Accordingly, keeping all this in mind, let us banish envy from our own souls and win favor from God. This, after all, is our invincible weapon; this, our greatest resource. Hence Ishmael too, young though he was and in utter isolation and neediness, suddenly grew in strength and developed into a great nation since, the text says, “God was with the child.” … Let us therefore, I beseech you, despise this present life, long for the future life, esteem favor from God above all other things, and, through an excellent way of living, lay up for ourselves great confidence, so that we may be able to pass this present life without distress and attain those future blessings, thanks to the grace and loving kindness of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom with the Father and the Holy Spirit be glory, power and honor, now and forever, for ages of ages. Amen.

HOMILIES ON GENESIS 46.15-17

Genesis 22:13

All this, however, happened as a type of the cross. Hence Christ too said to the Jews, “Your father Abraham rejoiced in anticipation of seeing my day; he saw it and was delighted.” How did he see it if he lived so long before? In type, in shadow. Just as in our text the sheep was offered in place of Isaac, so here the rational Lamb was offered for the world. You see, it was necessary that the truth be sketched out ahead of time in shadow. Notice, I ask you, dearly beloved, how everything was prefigured in shadow: an only-begotten son in that case, an only-begotten in this; dearly loved in that case, dearly loved in this. “This is my beloved Son,” Scripture says, in fact, “in whom I have found satisfaction.” The former was offered as a burnt offering by his father, and the latter his Father surrendered. Paul too shouts aloud in the words “He who in fact did not spare his own Son but handed him over for the sake of us all—how will he not also grant us every gift along with him?” Up to this point there is shadow, but now the truth of things is shown to be more excellent. This rational L…

All this, however, happened as a type of the cross. Hence Christ too said to the Jews, “Your father Abraham rejoiced in anticipation of seeing my day; he saw it and was delighted.” How did he see it if he lived so long before? In type, in shadow. Just as in our text the sheep was offered in place of Isaac, so here the rational Lamb was offered for the world. You see, it was necessary that the truth be sketched out ahead of time in shadow. Notice, I ask you, dearly beloved, how everything was prefigured in shadow: an only-begotten son in that case, an only-begotten in this; dearly loved in that case, dearly loved in this. “This is my beloved Son,” Scripture says, in fact, “in whom I have found satisfaction.” The former was offered as a burnt offering by his father, and the latter his Father surrendered. Paul too shouts aloud in the words “He who in fact did not spare his own Son but handed him over for the sake of us all—how will he not also grant us every gift along with him?” Up to this point there is shadow, but now the truth of things is shown to be more excellent. This rational Lamb, you see, was offered for the whole world; he purified the whole world; he freed human beings from error and led them forward to the truth; he made earth into heaven, not by altering the nature of the elements but by transferring life in heaven to human beings on earth. Through him all worship of demons is made pointless; through him people no longer worship stone and wood. Nor do those endowed with reason bend the knee to material things—instead, all error has been abolished, and the light of truth has shone brightly on the world. Do you see the superiority of the truth? Do you see what shadow is, on the one hand, and truth, on the other?

HOMILIES ON GENESIS 47.14

Genesis 23:6

Sarah’s death was the occasion for the patriarch’s first instance of acquiring land. Sacred Scripture in fact shows us in every case the patriarch’s virtue, in that he passed all his time as an alien and a nomad. And it mentions this latest item for us to learn that the man who enjoyed so much assistance from on high, who had become so famous and had increased in number to such a vast multitude, could not call a place his own, unlike many people today, who give all their attention to acquiring land, whole towns and great wealth beyond telling. You see, he had sufficient riches in his attitude, and he put no store by these other things. Let those heed this who in the twinkling of an eye take to themselves every conceivable thing and, so to say, stretch out in all directions their passion for avarice. Let them also imitate the patriarch, who had not even a place to inter Sarah’s remains until, under pressure of very necessity, he bought the field and cave from the Hittites. For proof that he was in fact respected by the inhabitants of Canaan, listen to the words addressed to him by the…

Sarah’s death was the occasion for the patriarch’s first instance of acquiring land. Sacred Scripture in fact shows us in every case the patriarch’s virtue, in that he passed all his time as an alien and a nomad. And it mentions this latest item for us to learn that the man who enjoyed so much assistance from on high, who had become so famous and had increased in number to such a vast multitude, could not call a place his own, unlike many people today, who give all their attention to acquiring land, whole towns and great wealth beyond telling. You see, he had sufficient riches in his attitude, and he put no store by these other things. Let those heed this who in the twinkling of an eye take to themselves every conceivable thing and, so to say, stretch out in all directions their passion for avarice. Let them also imitate the patriarch, who had not even a place to inter Sarah’s remains until, under pressure of very necessity, he bought the field and cave from the Hittites. For proof that he was in fact respected by the inhabitants of Canaan, listen to the words addressed to him by the Hittites: “You are king among us by God’s appointment; bury your dead in our best tombs. None of us, after all, will keep this tomb from you.”

HOMILIES ON GENESIS 48.2

Genesis 23:13

Notice, however, how the good man instructs even those people with his characteristic common sense, through his very actions, by forbearing to take possession of it before paying a just price. “Even if you for your part … have proved so kindly disposed toward me, I still cannot bring myself to take the tomb from you unless first I pay the proper price.” He gave them money, the text says, took possession of the tomb “and buried his wife Sarah in the double cave of the field overlooking Mamre.” The man who was so famous and respected, who enjoyed such confidence with God and was the object of such attention from everyone, so to say, in that place that even the Hittites called him king—he owned not even one foot of land. Hence blessed Paul also celebrated this good man’s virtue in writing these words: “By faith Abraham dwelt in the land of promise, like a foreigner living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, coheirs of the same promise.” Then to teach us how it was through faith that he dwelt there, he added, “He looked forward, you see, to the city built on foundations of which the builder a…

Notice, however, how the good man instructs even those people with his characteristic common sense, through his very actions, by forbearing to take possession of it before paying a just price. “Even if you for your part … have proved so kindly disposed toward me, I still cannot bring myself to take the tomb from you unless first I pay the proper price.” He gave them money, the text says, took possession of the tomb “and buried his wife Sarah in the double cave of the field overlooking Mamre.” The man who was so famous and respected, who enjoyed such confidence with God and was the object of such attention from everyone, so to say, in that place that even the Hittites called him king—he owned not even one foot of land. Hence blessed Paul also celebrated this good man’s virtue in writing these words: “By faith Abraham dwelt in the land of promise, like a foreigner living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, coheirs of the same promise.” Then to teach us how it was through faith that he dwelt there, he added, “He looked forward, you see, to the city built on foundations of which the builder and creator was God.” In the hope of things to come, he is saying, he overlooked present realities, and, in the expectation of greater things, he set less store by those of this life—and this before the law and the age of grace.So what excuse will we have, tell me, who despite such wonderful promises and guarantees of ineffable blessings hanker for present realities, buying up property, ever concerned for our image, amassing all these possessions out of greed and avarice and fulfilling in practice what the blessed prophet said in his lament, “Woe to those who pile house on house and add property to property for the purpose of robbing their neighbor of something.” Do we not see this happening each day—widows being robbed, orphans despoiled and the weak oppressed by the strong? This good man, on the contrary, did not behave in that fashion; instead, he insisted on buying the tomb, and, when he saw those from whom he sought it ready and willing to hand it over, he could not bring himself to accept it before he paid the right price.

HOMILIES ON GENESIS 48.3-4

Genesis 23:20

With this in mind, dearly beloved, let us who live in the age of grace imitate the man who lived before the law, not burn with desire for more and heap up for ourselves to a greater and more intense degree the fire that cannot be extinguished and the flame that is intolerable. We will hear, in fact, if we persist in such awful deeds of injustice and avarice, the words spoken to that notorious rich man, “Fool, this night they are looking for your soul from you; but as for what you have put aside, whom will it belong to?” I mean, what is the reason, dearly beloved, that you are anxious to amass so many things that you will shortly leave here, due as you are to be snatched away from the scene, not only powerless to gain any advantage from them but even saddled with the burden of sins on your own shoulders, at this stage too late for worthwhile repentance? While the goods you have amassed with avarice oftentimes finish even in the hands of enemies, you yourself will be required to give an account of them. So what folly would it be to labor for others’ benefit and pay the price for them y…

With this in mind, dearly beloved, let us who live in the age of grace imitate the man who lived before the law, not burn with desire for more and heap up for ourselves to a greater and more intense degree the fire that cannot be extinguished and the flame that is intolerable. We will hear, in fact, if we persist in such awful deeds of injustice and avarice, the words spoken to that notorious rich man, “Fool, this night they are looking for your soul from you; but as for what you have put aside, whom will it belong to?” I mean, what is the reason, dearly beloved, that you are anxious to amass so many things that you will shortly leave here, due as you are to be snatched away from the scene, not only powerless to gain any advantage from them but even saddled with the burden of sins on your own shoulders, at this stage too late for worthwhile repentance? While the goods you have amassed with avarice oftentimes finish even in the hands of enemies, you yourself will be required to give an account of them. So what folly would it be to labor for others’ benefit and pay the price for them yourself?

HOMILIES ON GENESIS 48.5

Genesis 23:20

Even if in the past, however, we have to this degree managed our affairs with indifference, now at least let us plan for what is needful and not simply be anxious to bedeck ourselves with the trappings of wealth, but rather pay much attention to doing good. After all, our being will not come to an end with this present life, nor shall we be always in exile; instead, before long we shall reach our true homeland. So let us do everything in the hope of not being found wanting there. I mean, what good is it to leave behind great wealth in foreign parts while wanting for bare necessities in our true country? Consequently let us strive, dearly beloved, while there is still time, to transfer there what we own in this foreign country. Although in fact the distance may be great, nevertheless the transfer is quite easy. You see, there are those ready to make the transfer, to travel there safely and deposit in a secure treasury whatever we are able to send ahead by means of them. I mean, the hands of the poor lay up in the treasuries of heaven what is given them by us. Since then the ease and s…

Even if in the past, however, we have to this degree managed our affairs with indifference, now at least let us plan for what is needful and not simply be anxious to bedeck ourselves with the trappings of wealth, but rather pay much attention to doing good. After all, our being will not come to an end with this present life, nor shall we be always in exile; instead, before long we shall reach our true homeland. So let us do everything in the hope of not being found wanting there. I mean, what good is it to leave behind great wealth in foreign parts while wanting for bare necessities in our true country? Consequently let us strive, dearly beloved, while there is still time, to transfer there what we own in this foreign country. Although in fact the distance may be great, nevertheless the transfer is quite easy. You see, there are those ready to make the transfer, to travel there safely and deposit in a secure treasury whatever we are able to send ahead by means of them. I mean, the hands of the poor lay up in the treasuries of heaven what is given them by us. Since then the ease and security are so great, why do we delay and not rather with all haste act on this so that we will have those things at our disposal in the place where we most have need of them?

HOMILIES ON GENESIS 48.6

Genesis 24:1

So let us listen to sacred Scripture’s account to us: “Abraham was old, advanced in years. The Lord had blessed Abraham in every respect.” Why did it mention this to us? Since he was about to give good care and attention to Isaac, to the point of bringing him a bride, accordingly it mentioned to us the patriarch’s age.

HOMILIES ON GENESIS 48.7

Genesis 24:2

You see, since he had reached extreme old age, the text says, he wished to preserve Isaac from association with the Canaanites, lest he take a wife from among them. So he summoned the more prudent of his servants, the text says, and gave him the following instructions: “Place your hand under my thigh.” In Greek the verse is written this way: “under my thigh”; whereas in Hebrew it says “under my loins.” Why did he speak in this fashion? It was an idiom of people in the past. But on other grounds it was also because the birth of Isaac takes its origin from there.For you to learn that the action was done according to a certain custom, notice that when he was ordering him to put his hand there, he immediately added, “and I will make you swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and the God of earth.” See how he teaches the servant to recognize the Creator of all things. By saying, “the God of heaven and the God of earth,” he encompassed all creation.

HOMILIES ON GENESIS 48.7-8

Genesis 24:4

Do you note the patriarch’s command given to the servant? I mean, don’t pass idly by these words; instead, consider the good man’s purpose, and study how in ancient times their concern was not to look for abundance of possessions, not for great wealth, slaves, so many acres of land, not charm of external beauty—rather, they looked for beauty of soul and nobility of manners.You see, since he saw the wickedness of the inhabitants of Canaan and realized how great a good it is to have a partner of similar manners, he directed his servant and put him under oath to procure a wife for Isaac from his relatives. Neither the distance between the places nor the other difficulties caused him to delay the task. Rather, in the realization of the necessity of the business, he showed all haste in dispatching the servant. For his part, the patriarch acted in this from concern for the soul’s virtue and abhorrence of the wickedness of the [land’s] inhabitants.

HOMILIES ON GENESIS 48.8-9

Genesis 24:6

The patriarch, on the other hand, delivered an adequate direction to his servant and put him under oath. But let us now see the servant’s sense of duty in imitating his master’s godliness; when he saw the good man directing him with great earnestness, he said to him, “If the woman does not want to accompany me, do you want me to take your son back to the country you came from?” In case some problem arises, he is saying, and I seem to overstep your commands, I would consequently like to know what rules I should observe and whether it is your will that Isaac should go there, take his wife and then return here if she does not agree to accompany me, as you commanded? So what did the good man reply? He rejected this alternative, saying, “Be sure not to take my son back there.” There is no need for you to do it, he says. The One who made the promise to me and guaranteed that his descendants would be increased to such an extent will also bring this to a happy end.

HOMILIES ON GENESIS 48.10

Genesis 24:7

Have confidence, Abraham is saying, and depart. I am convinced that the One who has demonstrated such great kindness in my regard will add this to his former blessings and send his angel before you. He will personally prepare the way before you; he will also personally make the woman known to you; you will take her and return. But should it happen—perish the thought—that she refuses to accompany you, you will be discharged from the obligation of the oath. “Nevertheless don’t take my son there.” You see, I have no doubt that the Lord will take care of you. Showing how he trusted in God’s power, Abraham forbade the servant to conduct Isaac there. Then, after he had given detailed instructions to the servant and relieved him of concern (the servant, after all, was afraid he would be convicted of perjury if he failed to discharge his command), “he placed his hand under his thigh,” the text goes on, “and gave him his oath on this matter,” that he would not take Isaac there.

HOMILIES ON GENESIS 48.12

Genesis 24:7

Notice how previously, in placing the servant under oath, he instructed him about the Creator of all. Now, as Abraham was about to pray, he used the same words, by every means teaching the servant to have confidence in him and, in this spirit, set out on the journey, as also to trust in its outcome. You see, Abraham teaches him how much favor from the God of all Abraham had enjoyed from the outset and the fact that this same benefactor, who had plucked him from his own country, had managed his fortunes so well to this point. At the height of old age, God had granted him the birth of Isaac and would personally also take care of what lay ahead. “The Lord, the God of heaven and earth, who took me from my father’s house and from the land where I was born,” the same who spoke to me in the words, “I will give this land to you and your descendants,” who has demonstrated such extraordinary care for me, “he will personally send his angel before you, and you will take a wife for my son from there.”

HOMILIES ON GENESIS 48.11

Genesis 24:10

Do you see how from the outset the servant showed his regard for his master? See him now showing the benefit of the patriarch’s instruction by imitating the good man’s godliness. “The servant took ten camels,” the text relates, “and a selection of all his master’s goods; he set out and traveled into Mesopotamia to the city of Nahor, where he rested the camels outside the city at the well toward evening when the women come out to draw water. He said, ‘Lord, the God of my master Abraham.’ ” See the servant’s dutifulness: he names the Lord of the world after the patriarch, saying, “Lord, the God of my master Abraham,” who has given evidence of so many kindnesses to him. Why are you surprised if the servant calls him the God of Abraham in this way? The God of all shows how he sets great store by the virtue of good people and says, “I am the God of Jacob, the God of Isaac and the God of Abraham.”

HOMILIES ON GENESIS 48.13

Genesis 24:12

“Lord,” he says, “the God of my master Abraham, be my guide today, and have compassion on my master Abraham,” as if to say, “Bring his wishes to effect, and conduct everything according to his intention.” “Have compassion on my master Abraham”: what does “have compassion” mean? Fulfill his desire. Then he said, “Lo, I am standing at the spring, and the daughters of the inhabitants of the city are coming out to draw water. Whichever maiden to whom I say, ‘Lower your water jar that I may drink,’ and she says, ‘Drink and I shall water your camels till they all stop drinking’—let her be the one you have prepared for your servant Isaac, and in this I shall know that you have had compassion on my master Abraham.” Note the servant’s sagacity. He was aware of the patriarch’s hospitality and the fact that the maiden destined to be brought there should have similar qualities to those of the good man. So, far from looking for any other indication, he was anxious to distinguish the maiden’s hospitality from her attitude. He said, “If, in response to my request to her for water, she lowers her wa…

“Lord,” he says, “the God of my master Abraham, be my guide today, and have compassion on my master Abraham,” as if to say, “Bring his wishes to effect, and conduct everything according to his intention.” “Have compassion on my master Abraham”: what does “have compassion” mean? Fulfill his desire. Then he said, “Lo, I am standing at the spring, and the daughters of the inhabitants of the city are coming out to draw water. Whichever maiden to whom I say, ‘Lower your water jar that I may drink,’ and she says, ‘Drink and I shall water your camels till they all stop drinking’—let her be the one you have prepared for your servant Isaac, and in this I shall know that you have had compassion on my master Abraham.” Note the servant’s sagacity. He was aware of the patriarch’s hospitality and the fact that the maiden destined to be brought there should have similar qualities to those of the good man. So, far from looking for any other indication, he was anxious to distinguish the maiden’s hospitality from her attitude. He said, “If, in response to my request to her for water, she lowers her water jar and not only heeds my request but also gives evidence of the generosity of her own attitude by saying, ‘I will water your camels as well,’ she will have given me sufficient demonstration of the mildness of her manners by the offer of water.”

HOMILIES ON GENESIS 48.14

Genesis 24:12

Consider, in fact, I ask you, dearly beloved, how important it was that a tender maiden while drawing water not only did not decline the request but also took down the water jar from her shoulders and gave the petitioner his fill, stranger though he was and quite unknown to her. She gave water not only to him but also to all the camels, thus betraying by her behavior indications of her nobility of soul. Did she not realize that many, men included, often decline such requests? Why do I refer to the gift of water? Sometimes, when people holding torches are asked by those approaching them to wait a while so as to allow a lamp to be lit, they refuse even to do this, despite the fire’s suffering no diminution even should those intending to light their torch be beyond count. In this case, on the contrary, a woman, a maiden, carrying a water jar on her shoulders, not only did not object to the request but even was more generous than the request in supplying the drink, hurrying of her own volition to water the camels as well.

HOMILIES ON GENESIS 48.15

Genesis 24:20

The loving God, you see, granted the patriarch’s prayers, sent his angel on ahead and saw to the outcome of all these events; everything turned out as the servant requested. Then when he saw the power of the patriarch’s prayers in the event and chanced upon the maiden as he desired, he also saw her surpassing hospitality. “She hastened” the text goes on, remember, “to empty the water jar into the trough, and ran to draw more at the well, and watered all the camels.” See her heightened enthusiasm. The verse “She hastened to empty the water jar into the trough and ran to the well” shows the maiden’s indescribable enthusiasm in neither snubbing him as a stranger nor declining his request on the pretext of prudence but rather saying with great restraint, “Drink, sir.” I ask you to consider how very proper, despite her tender years, was her modesty, her surpassing humility and the extremity of her hospitality. What riches, at any rate, do these qualities not far surpass? Are there treasures you would value more highly than these qualities? This is the greatest gift; this constitutes count…

The loving God, you see, granted the patriarch’s prayers, sent his angel on ahead and saw to the outcome of all these events; everything turned out as the servant requested. Then when he saw the power of the patriarch’s prayers in the event and chanced upon the maiden as he desired, he also saw her surpassing hospitality. “She hastened” the text goes on, remember, “to empty the water jar into the trough, and ran to draw more at the well, and watered all the camels.” See her heightened enthusiasm. The verse “She hastened to empty the water jar into the trough and ran to the well” shows the maiden’s indescribable enthusiasm in neither snubbing him as a stranger nor declining his request on the pretext of prudence but rather saying with great restraint, “Drink, sir.” I ask you to consider how very proper, despite her tender years, was her modesty, her surpassing humility and the extremity of her hospitality. What riches, at any rate, do these qualities not far surpass? Are there treasures you would value more highly than these qualities? This is the greatest gift; this constitutes countless blessings, a treasure never expended.

HOMILIES ON GENESIS 48.16

Genesis 24:21

The dutiful servant therefore now saw God’s providence distinctly. “He kept observing her closely,” the text goes on, “and remained silent so as to know if the Lord had made his journey successful or not.” What is the meaning of “kept observing her closely”? He kept studying the maiden’s very words, her gaze, her walk, her appearance, everything else about her, and waited to see “if the Lord had successfully conducted his journey or not.” You see, what had happened so far, the text is saying, showed the maiden’s great virtue that exceeded ordinary limits. Hence, to reward her for her response and the offer of water, the text goes on, he pressed upon her “golden earrings and two bracelets.” He carefully made enquiries about her, asking, “Whose daughter are you?” and “Is there room in your father’s house for us to rest?”

HOMILIES ON GENESIS 48.17

Genesis 24:25

Consider here too the maiden’s response. As with the water, she not only provided what was asked but also watered the camels after giving him something to drink, so here too, when the servant inquired if there was merely room and whose daughter she was, the maiden replied, “I am daughter of Bethuel, son of Milcah, whom she bore to Nahor himself.” She mentioned her father and grandfather so that this knowledge would further arouse the servant’s interest. Observe the child’s candor: asked about her father, she not only tells the truth about him but also about her father’s father. And to the inquiry as to whether there was simply a place to rest she replied, “not only a place” but “also much straw and feed at our place.” On hearing this, the servant was amazed at the girl for her lavish hospitality and learned as well that he had come not to some strangers but to the house of Nahor, who was the patriarch’s brother; so, the text tells us, “the man bowed low in gratitude to the Lord.” Overjoyed at what he had learned, at the words spoken by the girl, “he bowed low to the Lord,” offering t…

Consider here too the maiden’s response. As with the water, she not only provided what was asked but also watered the camels after giving him something to drink, so here too, when the servant inquired if there was merely room and whose daughter she was, the maiden replied, “I am daughter of Bethuel, son of Milcah, whom she bore to Nahor himself.” She mentioned her father and grandfather so that this knowledge would further arouse the servant’s interest. Observe the child’s candor: asked about her father, she not only tells the truth about him but also about her father’s father. And to the inquiry as to whether there was simply a place to rest she replied, “not only a place” but “also much straw and feed at our place.” On hearing this, the servant was amazed at the girl for her lavish hospitality and learned as well that he had come not to some strangers but to the house of Nahor, who was the patriarch’s brother; so, the text tells us, “the man bowed low in gratitude to the Lord.” Overjoyed at what he had learned, at the words spoken by the girl, “he bowed low to the Lord,” offering thanks to the Lord for giving evidence of such favor to the patriarch and care for him and for bringing all his endeavors to a successful conclusion with ease. He said, “Blessed be the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who has not withheld his steadfast goodness from my master.”

HOMILIES ON GENESIS 48.18

Genesis 24:28

When he saw the child’s candor and learned everything from her clearly, then he in turn made known to her who he was. Through his thanksgiving to God, he made clear to her the fact that he had not come from some alien house but that the man who had sent him was brother to Nahor. On learning this “the girl ran off,” the text says, with great joy. See how in everything done by her she shows her enthusiasm for hospitality—by running, by her words, by her restraint. Note that the text says, “She ran and reported these words in her mother’s house.” She made known to her parents everything she had heard from the servant. “Laban ran to the one outside at the spring,” the text continues. Notice also this man showing his interest by running; seeing the person standing at the spring with the camels, “he said to him, ‘Come inside—blessed by the Lord—why stay outside? I have made ready the house and a place for the camels.’ ” Observe this man also blessing the Lord at the arrival of the stranger and making earnest supplication before putting hospitality into practice. “Come inside,” he says; “I…

When he saw the child’s candor and learned everything from her clearly, then he in turn made known to her who he was. Through his thanksgiving to God, he made clear to her the fact that he had not come from some alien house but that the man who had sent him was brother to Nahor. On learning this “the girl ran off,” the text says, with great joy. See how in everything done by her she shows her enthusiasm for hospitality—by running, by her words, by her restraint. Note that the text says, “She ran and reported these words in her mother’s house.” She made known to her parents everything she had heard from the servant. “Laban ran to the one outside at the spring,” the text continues. Notice also this man showing his interest by running; seeing the person standing at the spring with the camels, “he said to him, ‘Come inside—blessed by the Lord—why stay outside? I have made ready the house and a place for the camels.’ ” Observe this man also blessing the Lord at the arrival of the stranger and making earnest supplication before putting hospitality into practice. “Come inside,” he says; “I have taken the precaution of ‘making ready the house and a place for the camels.’ ”

HOMILIES ON GENESIS 48.19

Genesis 24:34-38

See how the servant narrates everything to them with precision: “I am servant of that man Abraham,” he says, “whom you know; so, learn that he enjoyed such blessing from the Lord of all as to arrive at great wealth.” Then, to teach them the abundance of his wealth, he said, “Sheep and cattle, silver and gold, male and female servants, camels and asses” came his way. Take heed, you people of wealth, you who acquire such and such acres of land day in and day out, building baths and walkways and splendid buildings—see in what lay the good man’s riches: no property, no buildings, no empty display of luxury, but rather sheep and cattle, camels and asses, servants male and female. The text added in another place that they were all born in the household, so that you could learn how Abraham gained so many servants. “So this master of mine came into such great wealth and enjoyed great favor from on high; when he had reached old age Sarah bore him a son, and, having this only child, he has already made him heir of everything. He has given him everything he owned.”

HOMILIES ON GENESIS 48.21