Genesis 24:33

_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._ There was set meat before him ... It seems from time immemorial to have been customary among men to feast together on the ratification of a compact or covenant; and it is well known that in the East, where primitive customs are stereotyped, that a bond of friendship is established between persons who have eaten together. If, therefore the repast was simply a refreshment for the weary travelers, the refusal of Abraham's messenger to partake of it until his business was transacted evinces his conscientious devotedness to his master's service. But if he were looking to the symbolical import of eating in the house of a host, he judged rightly in deeming it premature until the friendship had been cemented....

33._I will not eat until I have told my errand _(9) Moses begins to show by what means the parents of Rebekah were induced to give her in marriage to their nephew. That the servant, when food was set before him, should refuse to eat till he had completed his work is a proof of his diligence and fidelity; and it may with propriety be regarded as one of the benefits which God had vouchsafed to Abraham, that he should have a servant so faithful, and so intent upon his duty. Since, however, this was the reward of the holy discipline which Abraham maintained, we cannot wonder that very few such servants are to be found, seeing that everywhere they are so ill-governed. Moreover, although the servant seems to weave a superfluous story, yet there is nothing in it which is not available to his immediate purpose. He knew that it was a feeling naturally inherent in parents, not willingly to send aw...

29-53 The making up of the marriage between Isaac and Rebekah is told very particularly. We are to notice God's providence in the common events of human life, and in them to exercise prudence and other graces. Laban went to ask Abraham's servant in, but not till he saw the ear-ring, and bracelet upon his sister's hands. We know Laban's character, by his conduct afterwards, and may think that he would not have been so free to entertain him, if he had not hoped to be well rewarded for it. The servant was intent upon his business. Though he was come off a journey, and come to a good house, he would not eat till he had told his errand. The doing our work, and the fulfilling our trusts, either for God or man, should be preferred by us before our food: it was our Saviour's meat and drink, John 4:34. He tells them the charge his master had given him, with the reason of it. He relates what had...

Verse Genesis 24:33. _I WILL NOT EAT UNTIL I HAVE TOLD_] In Hindoostan it is not unusual for a Brahmin to enter a house and sit down, and when meat is offered, refuse to eat till he has obtained the object of his errand. Here is a servant who had his master's interest more at heart than his own. He refuses to take even necessary refreshment till he knows whether he is likely to accomplish the object of his journey. Did not our blessed Lord allude to the conduct of Abraham's servant, John 4:34: _My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his_ _work_?...

- The Marriage of Isaac 26. קרד _qādad_, “bow the head.” השׁתחוה _shâchâh_, “bow the body.” 29. לבן _lābān_, “Laban, white.” In this circumstantial account of the marriage of Isaac, we have a beautiful picture of ancient manners in the East, the living original of which the present customs of that cradle of mankind are a striking copy. Genesis 24:1 Abraham binds the chief servant of his house to seek a wife for his son Isaac among his kindred. The first movement in this matrimonial arrangement is on the part of the father, who does not consult his son, but the chief manager of his household affairs. Abraham is now a hundred and forty years of age, and Sarah has been three

EXPOSITION GENESIS 24:29 AND REBEKAH HAD A BROTHER, AND HIS NAME WAS LABAN. "White," whose character has been considerably traduced, the Biblical narrative not representing him as "a monster of moral depravity," but rather as actuated by generous imputes and hospitable dispositions (Kalisch). AND LABAN RAN OUT UNTO THE MAN, UNTO THE WELL. That Laban, and not Bethuel, should have the prominence in all the subsequent transactions concerning Rebekah has been explained by the supposition that Bethuel was now dead (Josephus), but _vide _Genesis 24:50; that he was altogether an insignificant character (Lange, Wordsworth); that firstborn sons enjoyed during their father's lifetime a portion of his authority, and even on important occ

AND THERE WAS SET [MEAT] BEFORE THEM TO EAT,.... By the order of Bethuel or Laban, or both; or, "afterwards was set" l; that is after care had been taken the camels, then food being provided was set before the men to refresh them: BUT HE SAID, I WILL NOT EAT UNTIL I HAVE TOLD MINE ERRAND; or, "spoke my words" m; delivered the message he was sent with, and declared the business he came about; which shows him to be a diligent faithful servant, who had his master's interest at heart, and preferred it to his necessary food: AND HE SAID; either Bethuel or Laban, for both were present, to whom the servant directed his discourse, Genesis 24:47; perhaps Laban spoke in the name of his father, and bid him SPEAK ON; go on with his discourse until he had said all he had to say, signifying that they were ready to give attention to him....

CHAPTER 24 THE BRIDE SOUGHT FOR ISAAC _ 1. The commission to the servant (Genesis 24:1)_ 2. The obedience and prayer of the servant (Genesis 24:10) 3. The prayer answered (Genesis 24:15) 4. The gifts of the servant (Genesis 24:22) 5. The servant received (Genesis 24:27) 6. The servant's message (Genesis 24:34) 7. The commission and answered prayer stated ...

GENESIS 24. AT HIS MASTER'S COMMAND, ABRAHAM'S SLAVE BRINGS REBEKAH TO CANAAN AS A WIFE FOR ISAAC. The chapter has generally been assigned to J, but it is probably composite, and has been put together from J and E rather than from two J sources. Close scrutiny discloses features which negative its unity, but the combination has been skilfully effected and the story reads admirably. It is told with great literary skill. Feeling the approach of death, Abraham summons his senior slave and extracts from him a solemn oath, in contact with the organs which are the sacred seat of life, that he would not take a Canaanite woman as wife for Isaac, but would bring one from Abraham's own country. If the woman would not come, he was by no means to defeat God's purpose by taking Isaac to her. God would prosper His mission, but if the woman would not come, the oath would bind him no longer. After takin...

The Betrothal of Rebekah 29. _Laban_ Rebekah's brother Laban (cf. Genesis 25:20; Genesis 28:2; Genesis 29:5) takes the part of the chief representative of Rebekah's family. Bethuel, their father, is mentioned along with him only in Genesis 24:50; and their mother in Genesis 24:53_; Genesis 24:55_....