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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadPaul Kretzmann Commentary - Genesis 24:29 - 24:33
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Eliezer in the Home of Bethuel
v. 29. And Rebekah had a brother, and his name was Laban; and Laban ran out unto the man, unto the well.
v. 30. And it came to pass, when he saw the earring and bracelets upon his sister's hands, and when he heard the words of Rebekah, his sister, saying, Thus spake the man unto me, that he came unto the man; and, behold, he stood-by the camels at the well. Among those that heard the excited report of Rebekah was her brother Laban. A glance at the rich presents which his sister exhibited started Laban, whose later covetousness is hinted at even here, off for the well. He barely stopped long enough to hear the details of the conversation which Rebekah reported. Running out quickly from the city, he found the stranger standing beside his resting camels by the well.
v. 31. And he said, Come in, thou blessed of the Lord; wherefore standest thou without? For I have prepared the house, and room for the camels. With true Oriental hospitality, even if not unmixed with some selfish motives, Laban invited Eliezer to enter, addressing him as the blessed of the Lord, one upon whom the favor of the Lord rested.
v. 32. And the man came in to the house. And he ungirded his camels, and gave straw and provender for the camels, and water to wash his feet, and the men's feet that were with him. Eliezer accepted the invitation of Laban without delay, came to the house of Bethuel, and saw to it that the straps which held the loads of the camels were properly loosened. Laban, meanwhile, provided food and bedding for the camels and water for the customary washing of the feet before one entered the living quarters of the house.
v. 33. And there was set meat before him to eat. But he said I will not eat until I have told mine errand. And he said, Speak on. Oriental custom forbade any reference to the object of a man's journey until all the physical wants of the traveler had been satisfied. But Eliezer here informed his host that he could not think of eating until he literally had "said his say," until he had stated the object of his journey. His unselfish faithfulness caused him to place his own comfort after the business of his master.