Genesis 24:2 Sermons: Abraham said to his servant, the elder of his house, who ruled over all that he had, "Please put your hand under my thigh.

◄ Genesis 24:2 ►

So Abraham instructed the chief servant of his household, who managed all he owned, "Place your hand under my thigh,

Sermons

A Bride for the Heir	J. O. Dykes, D. D.	Genesis 24:1-9
A Marriage Contracted in the Lord	R. S. Candlish, D. D.	Genesis 24:1-9
A Sympathetic Servant	Colton.	Genesis 24:1-9
A Worthy Servant		Genesis 24:1-9
Abraham's Conduct in This Matter	A. Fuller.	Genesis 24:1-9
Abraham's Provision for the Marriage of His Son	T. H. Leale.	Genesis 24:1-9
How Isaac Got His Wife	W. S. Smith, B. D.	Genesis 24:1-9
Isaac's Marriage	Homilist	Genesis 24:1-9
The Unfolding of the Divine Purpose	R.A. Redford	Genesis 24

Pulpit Commentary Homiletics

Lessons From The Sepulcher

Genesis 23:20

J.F. Montgomery

And the field, and the cave that is therein, were made sure unto Abraham for a possession of a burying-place. Abraham's first and only possession in Canaan, a sepulcher. The importance of the par-chase appears in the careful narrative of the transaction. For himself he was content to live as a stranger and pilgrim (cf. 1 Peter 5:7); but Sarah's death led him to acquire a burying-place. Declining the offer to use any of the sepulchers of the people of the land (cf. the separation at death between God's people and aliens), he bought the field and the cave, and carefully prepared the evidence of the purchase. The purchase showed his faith in God's truth; one of the branches of Adam's temptation (Genesis 3:4). It had been promised that his seed, after dwelling in a land not theirs, should return and possess that whereon he stood (cf. Jeremiah 32:14, 15). Type of entrance into rest after pilgrimage (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:1). It showed also his faith in a resurrection (cf. Psalm 16:10). The desire that he and his family should lie in the same sepulcher speaks of a life beyond the present. Parted by death, they were one family still. Sarah was to him "my dead." There was a link between them still. The living and dead still one family. Doctrine of communion of saints (cf. Matthew 22:32). Death was the gate of life (cf. 1 Thessalonians 4:16). Canaan a type of the rest which remaineth; Abraham of the "children of the kingdom," pilgrims with a promise. No rest here. Life full of uncertainties. One thing sure, we must die. But -

I. WE ENTER THE HEAVENLY REST THROUGH DEATH; THE CITY OF GOD THROUGH THE VALLEY OF BACA. Here we walk by faith. Great and glorious promises for our encouragement, that we may not make our home here; yet we know not what we shall be. Sight cannot penetrate the curtain that separates time from eternity. Thus there is the trial, do we walk by faith or by sight? We instinctively shrink from death. It is connected in our mind with sorrow, with interruption of plans, with breaking up of loving companionship; but faith bids us sorrow not as those without hope. It reminds that it is the passing from what is defective and transitory to what is immortal. Here we are trained for the better things beyond, and our thoughts are turned to that sepulcher in which the victory over death was won; thence we see the Lord arising, the pledge of eternal life to all who will have it.

II. THE SEPULCHRE WAS MADE SURE TO ABRAHAM. In time he should enter it as one of the company gathered there to await the resurrection day; but meanwhile it was his. And if we look upon this as typical of our interest in the death of Christ, it speaks of comfort and trust. He took our nature that he might "taste death for every man." His grave is ours (2 Corinthians 5:14). We are "buried with him," "planted together in the likeness of his death.' The fact of his death is a possession that cannot be taken from us (Colossians 3:3, 4). He died that we might live. If frail man clings to the tomb of some dear one; if the heart is conscious of the link still enduring, shall we not rejoice in our union with him whose triumph makes us also more than conquerors?

III. THE FIELD AND CAVE. How small a part did Abraham possess in his lifetime, but it was an earnest of the whole; he felt it so, and in faith buried his dead (cf. Genesis 1:25; Hebrews 11:22). An earnest is all we possess here, but still we have an earnest. In the presence of the Lord (John 14:23), in the peace which he gives, in the spirit of adoption, we have the "substance of things hoped for," a real fragment and sample of the blessedness of heaven. - M.

Biblical Illustrator

And it came to pass, before he had done speaking, that, behold, Rebekah came out.

Genesis 24:15-31

The finger of Providence in the appointment of a bride for Isaac

T. H. Leale.

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 the qualities which he had looked for in a bride for Isaac. She was civil and courteous, open and sincere, kind, simple, and unaffected.

II. IN THE CONTROL OF APPARENT ACCIDENTS.

III. IN THE IMPRESSION MADE UPON THE STEWARD HIMSELF.

1. He pauses to see whether Divine Providence is still leading on (ver. 21).

2. He acts upon the favours of Providence already received (ver. 22).

3. He engages in an act of praise (vers. 26, 27).

IV. IN THE RECOGNITION OF GOD BY ALL CONCERNED (vers. 27, 28, 31).

(T. H. Leale.)

The advantages of being found in the path of duty

Essex Remembrancer.

I. THE PROMISES OF GOD LEAD US TO EXPECT HIS BLESSING IN THE PATH OF DUTY.

II. BY ATTENDING THE MEANS OF GRACE, WE ENJOY COMMUNION WITH THE PEOPLE OF GOD. We should attend the means of grace too.

III. BECAUSE BY THIS WE SHOW TO THE WORLD OUR ATTACHMENT TO THE CAUSE OF CHRIST, AND SET THEM AN EXAMPLE FOR IMITATION.

IV. ANOTHER ADVANTAGE ARISING FROM THUS "BEING IN THE WAY" IS, THAT IT LEADS US OFTEN TO INDULGE IN THE DELIGHTFUL ANTICIPATION OF ENGAGING IN THE PERFECT AND NEVER-ENDING WORSHIP OF THE REDEEMED BEFORE THE THRONE ABOVE.

(Essex Remembrancer.)

Lessons

G. Hughes, B. D.

1. God sometimes answers His in the instant of prayer.

2. Providence orders motions for time and place in fitting persons for marriage according to His will.

3. The fittest wives and husbands are such who are the answer of prayer.

4. Goodness of family, honesty of calling, comeliness of person, purity of conversation, industry in labour, concur sweetly to make a good consort (vers. 15, 16).

5. After praying to God, there must be acting by man to find God's answer.

6. Humble addresses become strangers in desiring courtesies as answers from God's mercy (ver. 17).

7. Ingenuity is quick and active in doing courtesy unto strangers.

8. Much kindness sometimes is shown in giving but a little water (ver. 18).

9. Ingenuous spirits are free to do good to beasts as well as men (ver. 19).

10. It is a sweet disposition to satisfy man and beast until they be full.

11. Providence makes good the signs He gives to His to the uttermost (ver. 20).

12. Wonderful are God's providences many times in answering prayer, and so to be admired.

13. A silent and serious consideration there should be about the rare events of God's providence.

14. The knowledge of God's mind in all providences is to be laboured after for man's duty and God's glory (ver. 21).

(G. Hughes, B. D.)

Lessons

G. Hughes, B. D.

1. Ingenuous spirits perform what kindness they do offer.

2. Courtesies being finished, it is time to prepare for thanks.

3. Ornaments best suit with them that are of pure minds and ingenuous conversations.

4. Gifts are not unlawful, being justly bestowed in gratefulness, and in pursuance of lawful desires (ver. 22).

5. Prudence finds out by queries such as are appointed unto marriage by God's providence.

6. Inquiry for a night's lodging may conduce under Providence to further great affairs (ver. 23).

7. Providence ordereth the desired answer concerning persons sought for to them whom God sends.

8. Answers of abundant provision God maketh unto strangers sent about His business. All suits well (vers. 24, 25).

9. Whatever answers of good men have from creatures, they should produce worship to God (ver. 26).

10. Gracious hearts bless God by praising when He blesseth them by prospering.

11. Good servants bless God for mercy and truth to their masters as for guidance to themselves.

12. Though angels minister to us, God alone must have the glory of all good events (ver. 27).

13. In such returns God speeds instruments to further on His own designs of good to His servants (ver 28).

(G. Hughes, B. D.)

Children to be brought up to all honest employments

J. Spencer.

The patriarchs of old were principal men and princes in their generations, yet their tender daughters were brought up in doing household business. Rebekah went, with her pitcher on her shoulders, to give drink to her father's camels; and the seven daughters of the Priest of Midian accustomed themselves to draw water and fill the troughs to water their father's sheep; and some say — how true is uncertain-that Christ Himself wrought as a carpenter at His father's trade. Such was the harmless simplicity of those days, and such was the obedience of children, that even she that was appointed to be the mother of patriarchs, prophets, and kings, refused not to set her hand to ordinary employments. But how is the case altered in these days of ours! Our delicate damsels are ready to urge Rebekah's example for the wearing of bracelets and jewels about their necks, but they will not hear of Rebekah's carrying the pitcher upon her shoulders; they would be clothed like the lilies of the field, but they cannot endure to spin nor work at all; so that, whereas Solomon's good housewife laid her hands to the wheel, they, for want of taking pains — especially if once married — set all upon wheels, and, while they do nothing, they undo themselves and bring all to nothing.

(J. Spencer.)

Golden trinkets for presents

M. M. Malisch, Ph. D.

Golden trinkets were abundantly used among most of the Asiatic nations from early times; and those which Abraham's servant offered to Rebekah (ver. 22) belong to the most common ornaments. The nose-ring, chiefly, though not exclusively, worn by men, and applied by American tribes also, is inserted in the cartilage of the nose, either in the middle or in one side; it is often of considerable size, reaches generally beneath the mouth, and not always contributes to enhance the beauty of the face. It is here stated as having the weight of a beka, which is half a shekel, or a Greek drachm. The nose-rings worn at present by the Oriental women are often of ivory, or of gold; they are hollow, to render them less inconveniently heavy, and sometimes set with jewels — mostly a ruby between two pearls. Bracelets are such favourite ornaments with Oriental ladies, that they are not only worn by them in an unusual quantity, but are promised by Mohammed among the rewards of piety. Sometimes the whole arm, from the wrist of the hand to the elbow, is covered with them; sometimes two or more are worn, one above the other; and they are not unfrequently so heavy that they almost appear to be a burden to the fair owners. Two of them are here stated to have weighed ten shekels of gold — certainly a liberal present. Men also liked to adorn their wrist or upper arm with bracelets. On the Assyrian sculptures scarcely any person of wealth or station, or even any deity, appears without them. They were generally worn on one arm, and sometimes on both. Those who were unable to purchase gold or silver bracelets, contented themselves with procuring them of copper, ivory, horn, or glass. They were not always made with great skill or taste; they had not in all cases a lock, and often consisted merely of a large broad ring, through which the wearer forced the hand. The Egyptian bracelets, however, are in many instances not without elegance; and those represented on the Assyrian monuments, or found in the excavations of Mesopotamia, are scarcely inferior to them either in taste or in costliness.

(M. M. Malisch, Ph. D.)

Blessed be the Lord God. —

The servant's thanksgiving

1. The piety of it. He does not ascribe his success to chance or fortune, but to God. Moreover, he adores God by His covenant name as the Redeemer.

2. The confidence of it.(1) Founded upon God's dealings in the past. He had never failed in His mercy and His truth to Abraham. Therefore He might be thanked for the past with that confidence which is encouraged to hope much for the future. It is safe to trust Divine mercy and truth.(2) Founded upon a consciousness of his own integrity.

People

Abraham, Aram, Bethuel, Canaanites, Isaac, Laban, Milcah, Nahor, Rebekah, Sarah

Places

Beer-lahai-roi, Hebron, Mesopotamia, Nahor, Negeb

Topics

Charge, Chief, Elder, Eldest, Household, Leg, Manager, Oldest, Owned, Please, Property, Ruled, Ruling, Servant, Thigh

Outline

1. Abraham swears his servant.
10. The servant's journey.
12. His prayer.
14. His sign.
15. Rebekah meets him;
18. fulfils his sign;
22. receives jewels;
23. shows her kindred;
25. and invites him home.
26. The servant blesses God.
29. Laban entertains him.
34. The servant shows his message.
50. Laban and Bethuel approve it.
58. Rebekah consents to go, and departs.
62. Isaac meets and marries her.

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Genesis 24:2

5156 hand
5190 thigh

Genesis 24:1-4

5077 Abraham, character
6650 finding

Genesis 24:1-9

5076 Abraham, life of
5681 family, nature of

Genesis 24:2-4

5523 servants, good
5710 marriage, customs

Library

Guidance in the Way
'I being in the way, the Lord led me.'--GENESIS xxiv. 27. So said Abraham's anonymous servant when telling how he had found Rebekah at the well, and known her to be the destined bride of his master's servant. There is no more beautiful page, even amongst the many lovely ones in these ancient stories, than this domestic idyll of the mission of the faithful servant from far Canaan across the desert. The homely test by which he would determine that the maiden should be pointed out to him, the glimpse …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

No Compromise
The faithful servant of Abraham, before he started, communed with his master; and this is a lesson to us, who go on our Lord's errands. Let us, before we engage in actual service, see the Master's face, talk with him, and tell to him any difficulties which occur to our minds. Before we get to work, let us know what we are at, and on what footing we stand. Let us hear from our Lord's own mouth what he expects us to do, and how far he will help us in the doing of it. I charge you, my fellow-servants, …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 34: 1888

If, Therefore, Even they who are United in Marriage Only for the Purpose Of...
22. If, therefore, even they who are united in marriage only for the purpose of begetting, for which purpose marriage was instituted, are not compared with the Fathers, seeking their very sons in a way far other than do these; forasmuch as Abraham, being bidden to slay his son, fearless and devoted, spared not his only son, whom from out of great despair he had received [1997] save that he laid down his hand, when He forbade him, at Whose command he had lifted it up; it remains that we consider, …
St. Augustine—On the Good of Marriage

Jesus Sets Out from Judæa for Galilee.
Subdivision B. At Jacob's Well, and at Sychar. ^D John IV. 5-42. ^d 5 So he cometh to a city of Samaria, called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. 6 and Jacob's well was there. [Commentators long made the mistake of supposing that Shechem, now called Nablous, was the town here called Sychar. Sheckem lies a mile and a half west of Jacob's well, while the real Sychar, now called 'Askar, lies scarcely half a mile north of the well. It was a small town, loosely called …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Blessing of Jacob Upon Judah. (Gen. Xlix. 8-10. )
Ver. 8. "Judah, thou, thy brethren shall praise thee; thy hand shall be on the neck of thine enemies; before thee shall bow down the sons of thy father. Ver. 9. A lion's whelp is Judah; from the prey, my son, thou goest up; he stoopeth down, he coucheth as a lion, and as a full-grown lion, who shall rouse him up? Ver. 10. The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come, and unto Him the people shall adhere." Thus does dying Jacob, in announcing …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

The Blessings of Noah Upon Shem and Japheth. (Gen. Ix. 18-27. )
Ver. 20. "And Noah began and became an husbandman, and planted vineyards."--This does not imply that Noah was the first who began to till the ground, and, more especially, to cultivate the vine; for Cain, too, was a tiller of the ground, Gen. iv. 2. The sense rather is, that Noah, after the flood, again took up this calling. Moreover, the remark has not an independent import; it serves only to prepare the way for the communication of the subsequent account of Noah's drunkenness. By this remark, …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Genesis
The Old Testament opens very impressively. In measured and dignified language it introduces the story of Israel's origin and settlement upon the land of Canaan (Gen.--Josh.) by the story of creation, i.-ii. 4a, and thus suggests, at the very beginning, the far-reaching purpose and the world-wide significance of the people and religion of Israel. The narrative has not travelled far till it becomes apparent that its dominant interests are to be religious and moral; for, after a pictorial sketch of …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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