A bride for the heir.-2. Eliezer and Rebekah, or the finding of the bride.
I. THE MATRIMONIAL EMBASSY.
1. The departure from Hebron. With promptitude and alacrity, as became a servant executing the instructions of a master—attended by a cavalcade of ten camels and their drivers, as ambassadors of princes are wont to signalize their dignity by ample retinues; and laden with the choicest of his master's goods as presents for the bride, since they who go to woo must not neglect to carry gifts—the venerable steward issued forth upon his mission.
2. The journey northwards. Up the Jordan valley towards "the Eye of the East" would probably be the route followed by Eliezer of Damascus; thence closely skirting the spot where in after years Tadmor in the wilderness arose with its palaces and tern-pies, now magnificent in their ruins, till at length, crossing the Euphrates, he would reach Aram of the Two Rivers.
3. The arrival at Haran. If the time at which the patriarchal envoy reached the city of Nahor, viz; at sunset, when the maidens sally forth to draw, was an indication of the guiding hand of Providence, perhaps the spot at which he halted and partially unloaded his weary camels, viz; at the well, was a testimonial to his own shrewd sagacity, which discerned that for meeting with the virgins of the district, and in particular the females of Nahor's family, no better place could be selected than the city well, which was besides the customary resting-place for travelers.
II. THE PRAYER AT THE WELL.
1. Its reverent humility. Not only does he adore the Divine greatness, but, leaving himself altogether out of account, he bespeaks an interest in the Divine favor entirely as an act of kindness to his master.
2. Its childlike simplicity. He proposes a test by which he may. be able to recognize the bride whom God has selected for his master's son. In doing so he practically casts the matter over upon God, asking him in the fashion indicated to point out the object of his search, thus exemplifying the very spirit of the Christian rule, "In everything by prayer and supplication let your requests be made known unto God."
3. Its immediate answer. "Before he had done speaking, Rebekah came out" to the well, and acted precisely as he had desired that the bride should do. It was a striking illustration of the promise, "Whiles they are yet speaking I will hear."
III. THE MEETING WITH REBEKAH.
1. A description of her person. As to parentage, the daughter of Bethuel; in respect of condition, of virgin purity; with regard to appearance, very fair to look upon; concerning education, trained to domestic duties.
2. An account of her kindness. Coming up from the well, she graciously complies with the servant's request to be allowed to take a draught from her pitcher. Then with winning sweetness she promptly offers to fill the stone troughs for his wearied animals. And finally, when asked her name, she with ingenuous frankness tells it, adding, in reply to a request for lodging, that in Bethuel's house there was not only room for himself and camels, but sumptuous hospitality for both. Such spontaneous acts of kindness to an unknown and aged stranger bespoke a tender and susceptible heart within the breast of the fair Rebekah.
3. The impression which she made on, Eliezer.
Learn—
1. The fidelity and devotion to the interests of masters and mistresses which should be evinced by servants.
2. The spirit of prayer and supplication which Christians should display in all the perplexing and difficult paths of life.
3. The kind of brides which young men should select, viz; maidens distinguished by Rebekah's amiable and obliging disposition, even should they not be gifted with Rebekah's grace of form.
HOMILIES BY F. HASTINGS