Free Bible Commentary
“Genesis 24:34-41”
Categories: Genesis“So he said, 'I am Abraham’s servant. The Lord has greatly blessed my master, so that he has become rich; and He has given him flocks and herds, and silver and gold, and servants and maids, and camels and donkeys. Now Sarah my master’s wife bore a son to my master in her old age, and he has given him all that he has. My master made me swear, saying, “You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I live; but you shall go to my father’s house and to my relatives, and take a wife for my son.” I said to my master, “Suppose the woman does not follow me.” He said to me, “The Lord, before whom I have walked, will send His angel with you to make your journey successful, and you will take a wife for my son from my relatives and from my father’s house; then you will be free from my oath, when you come to my relatives; and if they do not give her to you, you will be free from my oath.”'”
---End of Scripture verses---
The group sat down to a nice meal, but before they began to eat, Abraham's servant was given the opportunity to explain his mission, and he did so with great length and attention to detail. He began by clearly identifying himself as “Abraham's servant” (verse 34). Still no mention is given of his name, and even when giving a proper introduction of himself, his focus was to draw attention to his master. His humility and unassuming nature are admirable qualities for God's anointed ones to appreciate and emulate. Hopefully the same can be said of us, that the name of our Master takes precedence over our own and that we gain our truest and noblest identity from that great name of Jesus, by whose blood we have been bought and through whom we have access to the Father in heaven.
“The Lord has greatly blessed my master, so that he has become rich...” (verse 35) There can be little doubt that at this statement the ears of the unscrupulous Laban had attentively perked right up! And while Abraham's wealth served as a great enticement and assurance that Rebekah would be well provided for throughout her life, the servant appropriately drew attention to the One responsible for Abraham's great blessings and riches. I cannot help but believe that Rebekah was equally or more impressed by how prominently the Lord's presence and providence played out in the lives of Abraham and his loyal servant, and presumably in Isaac's as well.
“Now Sarah my master’s wife bore a son to my master in her old age...” (verse 36) This is obviously an additional implication of the Lord's blessings and favor presiding over the family that Rebekah would potentially be marrying into. “And he has given him all that he has.” Not only were the circumstances of Isaac's birth remarkable and even miraculous, he is also the sole heir to the family's substantial fortune! It matters not whether Abraham had already legally transferred all his possessions to his son or not for all that Abraham possessed equally belonged to his son. The same is true with our loving, generous Father in heaven: “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32)
“My master made me swear, saying, 'You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites...'” (verse 37) “Mention of the oath demonstrates the great seriousness of the matter at hand, which is a delicate form of flattery to the bride and her family. So is the reference to the rejection of a Canaanite wife, which also happens to explain why Isaac has not yet married.” (Nahum Sarna) Abraham was extremely selective about the choice of a wife for his son, and for very good reason. God intends marriage to be a covenant for life and the type of person you marry will greatly influence your relationship with the Lord for better or for worse. It is better to let people accuse you of being “too picky” than to settle for a spouse that will not set helping you and your children get to heaven as their top priority!
“But you shall go to my father’s house and to my relatives, and take a wife for my son.” (verse 38) Of course the servant was wise enough to keep silent about the fact that Abraham prohibited Isaac from going to Rebekah's house if she refused to come to his. “Then Abraham said to him, 'Beware that you do not take my son back there! But if the woman is not willing to follow you, then you will be free from this my oath; only do not take my son back there.'” (verses 6 and 8) Yep, probably best to not share that part of the story!
“The Lord, before whom I have walked, will send His angel with you to make your journey successful...” (verse 40) Yes friends, if you choose to walk before the Lord in all faith and trust and righteousness and integrity, He will make your life's journey a complete success! Abraham fully trusted that the Lord's will would be done, whether his servant returned with a wife for his son or not, and he would rest satisfied with the Lord's answer (verse 41). “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and rescues them. O taste and see that the Lord is good; how blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! O fear the Lord, you His saints; for to those who fear Him there is no want.” (Psalm 34:7-9)
Please read Genesis 24:42-51 for tomorrow.
- Louie Taylor
