_Thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell: but thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac_ ABRAHAM’S PROVISION FOR THE MARRIAGE OF HIS SON I. HUMAN PRUDENCE. 1. He accepts the fact that his time for maki... [ Continue Reading ]
_And the servant. .. departed._ THE EMBASSY OF ABRAHAM’S SERVANT I. HE USES ALL POSSIBLE HUMAN MEANS OF SUCCESS. II. HE EXPECTS DIVINE HELP. 1. His prayer to God for success (Genesis 24:12). 2. Prayer for special Divine guidance (Genesis 24:13). 3. Prayer for what was good in itself. (1) He l... [ Continue Reading ]
_And it came to pass, before he had done speaking, that, behold, Rebekah came out_ THE FINGER OF PROVIDENCE IN THE APPOINTMENT OF A BRIDE FOR ISAAC I. IN THE PROMPT AND COMPLETE ANSWER GIVEN TO HIS PRAYER. The maiden appeared on the scene which he had pictured to his mind’s eye, and displayed all... [ Continue Reading ]
_I being in the way, the Lord led me to the house of my master’s brethren_ HOME COMING Where did this man want to go? To “the house of his master’s brethren.” Then he had a master! We all have. No one is his own master. There are two great masters--Jesus and Satan. Can we serve both? No; for they... [ Continue Reading ]
_Come in, thou blessed of the Lord_ CONFESSION OF CHRIST; OR, PERSUASIVES TO CHURCH FELLOWSHIP As Laban said “I have prepared the house,” so Christ has ordained the Church and provided it with all things necessary for the refreshment, repose, and invigoration of His people. As Abraham’s servant w... [ Continue Reading ]
_Led me in the right way to take my master’s brother’s daughter unto his son_ THE MARRIAGE TREATY I. ITS RELIGIOUS ELEMENT. 1. The sense of instant duty. 2. A recognition of God’s gracious dealings. 3. A solemn sense of responsibility. (1) To man. (2) To God. II. ITS ECONOMIC ELEMENT. The ste... [ Continue Reading ]
_Abide with us a few days_ DELAY IS DANGEROUS We shall not have anything more to do with Laban to-night, than to use his desire to retain his good sister Rebekah as an illustration of the way in which this wicked world endeavours to meet the invitations of the gospel, by trying to retain the awake... [ Continue Reading ]
_Hinder me not, seeing the Lord hath prospered my way_ THE CHRISTIAN’S HINDRANCES The Lord hath prospered our way. He has provided means for our return to Him. He has awakened us from entire carelessness. He has bestowed upon us thus far all the comfort and peace which we have received, and enabl... [ Continue Reading ]
_They called Rebekah and said unto her, Wilt thou go with this man?_ And she said, I will go THE SUCCESS OF THE MARRIAGE TREATY I. DUE TO THE MANIFEST INTERPOSITION OF PROVIDENCE (Genesis 24:50). II. ACKNOWLEDGED BY SUITABLE ACTS OF DEVOTION. 1. By acts of worship (Genesis 24:52). 2. By faith... [ Continue Reading ]
_Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide_ MEDITATION Meditating was the same to Isaac that it is to us. Under all skies, in all times, thought has flowed in the same channel and observed the same laws. It is those who love to meditate that are most open to impressions from nature.... [ Continue Reading ]
_She became his wife_ A PRIMEVAL MARRIAGE I. ITS SIMPLICITY. II. ITS PURITY. III. ITS GODLINESS. IV. IT ILLUSTRATES THE PRINCIPLE OF UNITY IN DIVERSITY. The characters of Isaac and Rebekah were most diverse. They were truly complements of each other, and when brought together made a complete wh... [ Continue Reading ]