Paul Kretzmann Commentary - Genesis 24:50 - 24:60

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Paul Kretzmann Commentary - Genesis 24:50 - 24:60


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Rebekah Consents to Become Isaac's Bride

v. 50. Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, The thing proceedeth from the Lord; we cannot speak unto thee bad or good.
The entire matter had so evidently progressed to this point under the direct guidance of the Lord that both Bethuel, the father of Rebekah, and Laban, her brother, could not but recognize the will of Jehovah. They had nothing to say, no change to suggest, Num_24:13; 2Sa_13:22.

v. 51. Behold, Rebekah is before thee; take her and go, and let her be thy master's son's wife, as the Lord hath spoken.
So the first step toward a valid engagement had been taken: Eliezer's suit for the hand of Rebekah for his master Isaac had been made and accepted. It is the parents that give their children in marriage, Laban here being included in the natural guardians of Rebekah as the older son, to whom the father had entrusted practically the entire management of his affairs.

v. 52. And it came to pass that, when Abraham's servant heard their words, he worshiped the Lord, bowing himself to the earth.
His first thoughts thus were of gratitude to the Lord, who had given such signal success to his journey, permitting him to accomplish its purpose on the very evening of his arrival. As we see the gracious hand of God directing the affairs of our lives for our benefit, we should make it a practice to thank the Lord for all His goodness toward us.

v. 53. And the servant brought forth jewels of silver and jewels of gold and raiment, and gave them to Rebekah.
These were the customary presents to the bride-to-be: various articles of jewelry of gold and silver and costly garments. He gave also to her brother and to her mother precious things, the betrothal presents for the family, costly articles, which may have been purchased at a great cost from Phoenician or Arabian traders.

v. 54. And they did eat and drink, he and the men that were with him, and tarried all night.
Having successfully performed the work which his master had entrusted to him, Eliezer was now free to enjoy the hospitality of his hosts with his men. And they rose up in the morning; and he said, Send me away unto my master. The woman whom God had appointed to be the wife of Isaac was now found, but Eliezer, like a faithful servant, with whom the interests of his master always come first, was anxious to deliver the bride-to-be to Isaac and thus complete his mission.

v. 55. And her brother and her mother said, Let the damsel abide with us a few days, at the least ten; after that she shall go.
Loving Rebekah as they did, they were anxious to have her stay for at least ten days.

v. 56. And he said unto them, Hinder me not, seeing the Lord hath prospered my way; send me away that I may go to my master.
Eliezer, happy over the success of his enterprise, felt that he could not conscientiously consent to a delay, that he must return at once.

v. 57. And they said, we will call the damsel, and enquire at her mouth.
The matter was to rest upon Rebekah's decision.

v. 58. And they called Rebekah, and said unto her, Wilt thou go with this man? And she said, I will go.
Her simple, characteristically determined and vigorous answer included both her consent to the marriage with Isaac and her decision as to an immediate departure. Although giving into marriage is the prerogative of the parents, yet the girl should not be forced into a marriage without her consent, as Luther remarks.

v. 59. And they sent away Rebekah, their sister, and her nurse, and Abraham's servant, and his men.
Laban again being represented as the chief person acting for Bethuel and his wife, Rebekah is formally dismissed to become the bride of Isaac, to whom she was now bound by her word.

v. 60. And they blessed Rebekah, and said unto her, thou art our sister, be thou the mother of thousands of millions, and let thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them.
That the number of Rebekah's descendants might be a countless host and that all her progeny might always be victorious against all their enemies, that was the sincere and loving blessing which the relatives that dismissed her with a heavy heart laid upon her. The work of Eliezer in the suit of Rebekah having begun so auspiciously, God Himself having manifestly blessed the betrothal, it was best to hurry forward to the consummation of marriage, lest evil tongues sow discord.