29 Now Rebekah had a brother named Laban, and he came out quickly to the man at the water-spring. 30 And when he saw the nose-ring and the ornaments on his sister's hands, and when she gave him word of what the man had said to her, then he went out to the man who was waiting with the camels by the water-spring. 31 And he said to him, Come in, you on whom is the blessing of the Lord; why are you waiting outside? for I have made the house ready for you, and a place for the camels. 32 Then the man came into the house, and Laban took their cords off the camels and gave them dry grass and food, and he gave to him and the men who were with him water for washing their feet. 33 And meat was put before him, but he said, I will not take food till I have made my business clear to you. And they said, Do so. 34 And he said, I am Abraham's servant. 35 The Lord has given my master every blessing, and he has become great: he has given him flocks and herds and silver and gold, and men-servants and women-servants and camels and asses. 36 And when Sarah, my master's wife, was old, she gave birth to a son, to whom he has given all he has. 37 And my master made me take an oath, saying, Do not get a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites among whom I am living; 38 But go to my father's house and to my relations for a wife for my son. 39 And I said to my master, What if the woman will not come with me? 40 And he said, The Lord, whom I have ever kept before me, will send his angel with you, who will make it possible for you to get a wife for my son from my relations and my father's house; 41 And you will be free from your oath to me when you come to my people; and if they will not give her to you, you will be free from your oath. 42 And I came today to the water-spring, and I said, O Lord, the God of my master Abraham, if it is your purpose to give a good outcome to my journey, 43 Let it come about that, while I am waiting here by the water-spring, if a girl comes to get water and I say to her, Give me a little water from your vessel, and she says, 44 Take a drink, and I will get water for your camels; let her be the woman marked out by the Lord for my master's son. 45 And even while I was saying this to myself, Rebekah came out with her vessel on her arm; and she went down to the spring to get water; and I said to her, Give me a drink. 46 And straight away she took down her vessel from her arm, and said, Take a drink, and I will get water for your camels. 47 And questioning her, I said, Whose daughter are you? And she said, The daughter of Bethuel, the son of Nahor, and Milcah his wife. Then I put the ring on her nose and the ornaments on her hands. 48 And with bent head I gave worship and praise to the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, by whom I had been guided in the right way, to get the daughter of my master's brother for his son. 49 And now, say if you will do what is good and right for my master or not, in order that it may be clear to me what I have to do. 50 Then Laban and Bethuel said in answer, This is the Lord's doing: it is not for us to say Yes or No to you. 51 See, here is Rebekah: take her and go, and let her be your master's son's wife, as the Lord has said. 52 And at these words, Abraham's servant went down on his face and gave praise to the Lord. 53 Then he took jewels of silver and jewels of gold and fair robes and gave them to Rebekah: and he gave things of value to her mother and her brother.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 24:29-53
Commentary on Genesis 24:29-53
(Read Genesis 24:29-53)
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 happened at the well, to further the proposal, plainly showing the finger of God in it. Those events which to us seem the effect of choice, contrivance, or chance, are "appointed out" of God. This hinders not, but rather encourages the use of all proper means. They freely and cheerfully close with the proposal; and any matter is likely to be comfortable, when it proceeds from the Lord. Abraham's servant thankfully acknowledges the good success he had met with. He was a humble man, and humble men are not ashamed to own their situation in life, whatever it may be. All our temporal concerns are sweet if intermixed with godliness.