Wesley Corpus

Chapter XXIV The subjoining of Isaac's marriage to Sarah's funeral (with a particular reference to it, ver. 67.) shews us, that as one generation passeth away, another generation comes; and thus the entail of human nature is preserved. Here is, Abraham's care about the marrying of his son, and the charge he gave to his servant about it, ver. 1 - 9. The servant's journey into Abraham's country to seek a wife for his young master among his own relations, ver. 10 - 14. The kind providence which brought him acquainted with Rebekah, whose father was Isaac's cousin german, ver. 15 - 28. The treaty of marriage with her relations, ver. 29 - 49. Their consent obtained, ver. 50 - 60. The happy meeting and marriage between Isaac and Rebekah, ver. 61 - 67. Abraham's pious care concerning his son was, that he should not marry with a daughter of Canaan, but with one of his kindred because he saw, the Canaanites were degenerating into great wickedness, and knew, that they were designed for ruin: would not marry his son among them, lest they should be either a snare to his soul, or, at least, a blot to his name. Yet he would not go himself among his kindred, lest he should be tempted to settle there: this caution is given, Ge 24:6, and repeated, Ge 24:8. Parents, in disposing of their children, should carefully consult their furtherance in the way to heaven. His eldest servant - Probably Eliezer of Damascus, one whose conduct and affection he had had long experience of: he trusted him with this great affair, and not Isaac himself, because he would not have Isaac go at all into that country, but marry thither by proxy; and no proxy so fit as the steward of his house. This matter is settled between the master and the servant with a great deal of care and solemnity. The servant is bound by an oath to do his utmost to get a wife for Isaac among his relations, Ge 24:3,4. Abraham swears him to it, both for his own satisfaction, and for the engagement of his servant to all possible care and diligence. Thus God swears his servants to their work, that, having sworn, they may perform it.