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Commentary on Genesis 24 verses 54–61
Rebekah is here taking leave of her father's house; and 1. Abraham's servant presses for a dismission. Though he and his company were very welcome, and very cheerful there, yet he said, Send me away (Gen 24:54), and again, Gen 24:56. He knew his master would expect him home with some impatience; he had business to do at home which wanted him, and therefore, as one that preferred his work before his pleasure, he was for hastening home. Note, Lingering and loitering no way become a wise and good man; when we have despatched our business abroad we must not delay our return to our business at home, nor be longer from it than needs must; for as a bird that wanders from her nest so is he that wanders from his place, Pro 27:8. 2. Rebekah's relations, from natural affection and according to the usual expression of kindness in that case, solicit for her stay some time among them, Gen 24:55. They could not think of parting with her on a sudden, especially as she was about the remove so far off and it was not likely that they would ever see one another again: Let her stay a few days, at least ten, which makes it as reasonable a request as the reading in the margin seems to make it unreasonable, a year, or at least ten months. They had consented to the marriage, and yet were loth to part with her. Note, It is an instance of the vanity of this world that there is nothing in it so agreeable but it has its alloy. Nulla est sincera voluptas - There is no unmingled pleasure. They were pleased that they had matched a daughter of their family so well, and yet, when it came to the last, it was with great reluctance that they sent her away. 3. Rebekah herself determined the matter. To her they appealed, as it was fit they should (Gen 24:57): Call the damsel (who had retired to her apartment with a modest silence) and enquire at her mouth. Note, As children ought not to marry without their parents' consent, so parents ought not to marry them without their own. Before the matter is resolved on, "Ask at the damsel's mouth;" she is a party principally concerned, and therefore ought to be principally consulted. Rebekah consented, not only to go, but to go immediately: I will go, Gen 24:58. We may hope that the notice she had taken of the servant's piety and devotion gave her such an idea of the prevalence of religion and godliness in the family she was to go to made her desirous to hasten thither, and willing to forget her own people and her father's house, where religion had not so much the ascendant. 4. Hereupon she is sent away with Abraham's servant; not, we may suppose, the very next day after, but very quickly: her friends see that she has a good heart on it, and so they dismiss her, (1.) With suitable attendants - her nurse (Gen 24:59), her damsels, Gen 24:61. It seems, then, that when she went to the well for water it was not because she had not servants at command, but because she took a pleasure in works of humble industry. Now that she was going among strangers, it was fit she should take those with her with whom she was acquainted. Here is nothing said of her portion. Her personal merits were a portion in her, she needed none with her, nor did that ever come into the treaty of marriage. (2.) With hearty good wishes: They blessed Rebekah, Gen 24:60. Note, When our relations are entering into a new condition, we ought by prayer to recommend them to the blessing and grace of God. Now that she was going to be a wife, they prayed that she might be a mother both of a numerous and of a victorious progeny. Perhaps Abraham's servant had told them of the promise God had lately made to his master, which it is likely, Abraham acquainted his household with, that God would multiply his seed as the stars of heaven, and that they should possess the gate of their enemies (Gen 22:17), to which promise they had an eye in this blessing, Be thou the mother of that seed.
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SUMMARY
Genesis 24:56 captures the resolute determination of Abraham's unnamed servant, often identified as Eliezer, as he insists on an immediate return to his master after successfully fulfilling his crucial mission to secure a wife for Isaac. His declaration, "the LORD hath prospered my way," underscores his profound conviction that God's hand was unmistakably evident in the swift and successful completion of his task, compelling him to act without delay and prioritize divine leading over social custom.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse employs Direct Speech to convey the servant's urgent and authoritative voice, making his conviction palpable to the reader. The servant's declaration, "the LORD hath prospered my way," functions as a Theological Justification for his actions, grounding his human urgency in divine providence. This statement also serves as a form of Attribution, clearly crediting God for the success rather than his own efforts. The entire exchange, particularly the servant's insistence, creates a sense of Dramatic Tension against the backdrop of cultural custom, highlighting the extraordinary nature of God's intervention and the servant's immediate response to it.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The servant's declaration in Genesis 24:56 is a profound theological statement, asserting God's active and immediate involvement in the affairs of His people. It underscores the principle that when God's will is clearly manifested and His blessing is evident, there should be no procrastination in carrying out His purposes. This narrative beautifully illustrates the concept of divine providence, where God orchestrates circumstances to fulfill His redemptive plan, particularly concerning the lineage through which the promised Messiah would come. The servant's urgency is not mere impatience but a reverent response to the unmistakable leading of Yahweh, demonstrating a model of faithful stewardship and obedience to God's timing.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 24:56 offers valuable lessons for believers today, encouraging us to cultivate a similar posture of discernment and prompt obedience. Like Abraham's servant, we are called to be quick to recognize and acknowledge God's hand when our endeavors succeed, especially those undertaken in faith and prayer. This acknowledgment fosters humility, strengthens our trust in His sovereignty, and guards against taking credit for what God has accomplished. When God's will is evident and He has clearly opened doors, we are to proceed with diligence and without unnecessary delay, understanding that procrastination can sometimes hinder divine purposes or diminish the impact of divine timing. The servant's dedication reminds us to prioritize fulfilling the tasks God has set before us, recognizing that His timing is often crucial for the full manifestation of His blessings and the advancement of His kingdom. Our loyalty, like his, should ultimately be to our Master, the Lord, and His perfect plan.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why was the servant so insistent on leaving immediately?
Answer: The servant's insistence on immediate departure stemmed from his profound recognition that God had unequivocally "prospered" his way. He understood that the swift and successful completion of his mission, from the providential meeting with Rebekah at the well to her family's consent, was a clear sign of divine intervention and approval. To delay would be to disregard God's evident timing and provision, potentially jeopardizing the divine blessing. His urgency was therefore rooted in a deep sense of duty to his master, Abraham, and an even deeper reverence for God's providential leading, prioritizing the immediate fulfillment of God's will over social custom or personal convenience. He recognized that when God's hand is so clearly at work, prompt obedience is the appropriate response, as seen in the swiftness with which Rebekah also agreed to go (Genesis 24:58).
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Abraham's servant diligently seeking a bride for Isaac beautifully prefigures the redemptive work of the Holy Spirit in gathering the Church, the Bride of Christ. Just as the servant was sent by Abraham (a type of God the Father) to find a bride for Isaac (a type of Christ, the promised seed through whom all nations would be blessed), so the Holy Spirit is sent by the Father to call and prepare believers for union with Christ (John 14:26). The servant's divinely "prospered" journey, marked by clear guidance and successful persuasion, mirrors the Spirit's effectual work in leading individuals to Christ, overcoming obstacles, and preparing them for the ultimate marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:7-9). The servant's urgency to bring the bride to the son reflects the Spirit's ongoing work to complete the Church, ensuring the fulfillment of God's eternal redemptive plan in Christ (Ephesians 5:25-27). The Spirit's mission is to glorify Christ and bring His chosen ones to Him, just as the servant's mission was to bring Rebekah to Isaac, culminating in a joyful union (John 16:13-14).