In the previous history we saw that Rebekah had received valuable gifts for the service which she had performed. She also had told her mother what had happened, which tells us something of the relationship between this daughter and her mother. There are many girls who, if they had talked to their mothers, would not have made the foolish decisions which they regretted later on. A mother must also have wisdom to be the confidant of her children and to advise them in difficult circumstances. The bringing up of our children is not an easy task, and it is one in which we need the Lord from day to day.

Rebekah's brother also heard the news, and he immediately went to meet the servant of Abraham and invited him to be his guest. It is very well possible that this friendliness was only for material gain, because later on we hear much about Laban which is negative. But let us not be too negative, and let us consider that it was Oriental hospitality. We know that hospitality is not only a custom, but it is a commandment of the Lord which we find in the Scriptures.

When Eliezer came to the house of Bethuel, his hosts took good care of the camels, and, according to Oriental custom, they gave Abraham's servant water to wash his feet. We read more often about this washing of feet, also in the life of the Lord Jesus, who used it as an example of spiritual washing. Think of the history of Peter (John 13). It is a lesson for God's people that they need daily to be washed by the blood and Spirit of Christ, shall it be well.

After all these things had taken place, a meal was served to Eliezer and placed before him, but he refused to eat (verse 33) until he had acquitted himself of his task. This is a new proof of his faithfulness to his master. If today this principle were more maintained, even when the employer was far away, then it would be different in our society. We know that the Catechism says we should be faithful in our work like the angels in heaven. Then we are all full of shortcomings toward the Lord and toward those who are set over us. Have we ever felt this in our life?

Eliezer began by saying, "I am Abraham's servant." This word is not used in our modern time anymore because "servant" sounds so humble; therefore the words "employer" and "employee" are used. Actually the word "servant" is misinterpreted; it is related to the word "attached" or "devoted to." A servant is a person who is attached to his master, who is bound to him with a bond of love (Exodus 21:1-6). The Lord Jesus is called the Servant of the Father: "Behold My Servant, whom I uphold" (Isaiah 42:1a). By the good­ness of the Lord Eliezer was a servant who was attached to his master. If more such relationships were found, then there would be more joy in the work which we may do. It is a bless­ing when we are able to work, have found work, and have joy in our work. Thus it was with Eliezer in the house of Bethuel.

It is not my intention to mention all the words which the servant spoke, since much of it has already been explained. He spoke of the great blessings Abraham had received of the Lord and how he had given all to his son Isaac. He also made known why he had come to Haran. His master had become old, and Isaac was yet single. It was the express commandment of Abraham to look for a wife for Isaac among the descendants of his own forefathers. Eliezer spoke extensively about what had happened at the well, how he had prayed for divine guidance, and how the Lord had heard his prayer in the sending of Rebekah. He did not forget to mention how he had thanked the Lord for hearing his prayer.

Laban and Bethuel could only say that it was of the Lord (verse 50). It is remarkable that time and again Laban is mentioned before his father in this history, probably because Bethuel had become old or because he was no longer active. We see that the decision about the marriage of Rebekah was not left to her, although her opinion was asked, but the father decided, or in this case, the elder brother took the place of the father. But it was agreed that the Lord had spoken in this matter and that Rebekah would become the wife of Isaac. It is a little different in our days! We believe that the girl must have the final word in her marriage, but young people should also listen to the advice of their parents, since they have had much more experience in their life, also in these matters. It is also written in this way in the form of holy matrimony.

Eliezer again gave thanks to the Lord for making his journey so prosperous. He did not give the honor to himself, but to the Lord only. Then, according to the custom of those days, he gave presents to the bride and her family from the riches of his master. When he had done all these important things for which he had been sent out, then he and his men sat at the table which was prepared, and afterwards they retired for the night.

Such rest can be twofold. We can receive rest for the body, which is a privilege. Often we hear of people who cannot sleep during the night; especially the sick and afflicted know what this means. It is a blessing when we may come with our needs before the Lord. However, we may believe that Eliezer received rest in the arms of the Almighty, who had made it so well. Those nights are not unknown to God's children when the Lord has shown them that He knows about them in daily life and in spiritual life. Those are times in which they may sing in their heart before going to sleep, and they are still singing in their heart when they awake in the morning. The poet of Psalter 251 sang,

It is good to sing Thy praises
And to thank Thee, O Most High,
Showing forth Thy lovingkindness
When the morning lights the sky.

If we go back a step in this history, we see that in those days a man paid a dowry for his wife, according to the possessions which he had. This is an example of what the great Bridegroom Jesus Christ paid for His Bride. He bought her with the most precious He could give, His own blood. He merited the garment of salvation, and He will present her the gift of the Holy Ghost. This administration of the Spirit is indispensable, because in the opening and applying of the Word He applies to the Church the benefits which Christ has wrought.

Not only Rebekah received these gifts, but also the entire family. So the world has a part in the general blessings because God's people are yet on earth. It is sometimes said that God's people are the corks on which the earth floats. In God's common goodness the world still receives, but mostly ignorantly, these fruits. These temporal blessings are important, but they are no ground for eternity. We must personally become partakers in the merits of Christ in the way of regeneration, if it shall be well. Are there times, young people, that you are concerned about these matters?

The next morning was soon there, and Eliezer and his men awoke. Eliezer wanted to leave right away and return to Abraham, but Rebekah's mother and brother opposed this. They wanted a delay of at least ten days (verses 54-55). This wish we can understand. It is difficult to say farewell to a beloved daughter and sister so unexpectedly. Most likely it was a separation for life. We can compare it to the immigrants of the previous century. In general these people never again saw their loved ones in the land of the living.

It could be that Laban also had other considerations in mind. If the departure were delayed, then it was possible that more presents would be given. We cannot prove this at all, but, although this is not always justified, the way Laban acted later on can give such thoughts. If you once are a thief, then you remain a thief in the eyes of the people!

But Eliezer had weighty reasons to stand firm in his request. He had a burning desire to tell his master how the Lord had cared for him in this journey. He knew that Abraham was old, that his days were uncertain, for he could die soon; therefore he was even more in a hurry. This is applicable to all of us; there is only one step between us and death. But young people can die, and old people have to die. How necessary it is for us at every moment to be prepared to meet the Lord.

Finally they decided to call Rebekah and ask her opinion. To their surprise she answered, "I will go." She was willing to leave immediately. It was with shyness that she gave this answer, because in the Hebrew she spoke only one word, which can be compared with our "yes." It was one word, but it was decisive for two lives. What a blessing when our "yes" at such moments is spoken in the favor of the Lord, for this will become visible in our later life.

We think of the royal Psalm 45, "Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and thy father's house; so shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for He is thy Lord; and worship thou Him." The Lord made Rebekah willing to go, and so He makes His unwilling people willing to follow in the day of His power. It is then said, "I will go."

Laban and his mother could no longer resist, since the strongest argument had been dismantled by the bride herself. Then arrangements to leave were made. It was also the custom in those days to give the bride a few slaves to take along to her new home; these remained her personal possessions in her married life. Among them was her own nurse, who had taken care of her from her birth. This was Deborah, who, according to Genesis 35:8, died at a high age and was buried near Bethel.

At the farewell they blessed Rebekah (verse 60). When we look superficially at these words, then they do not have much attraction. What is the profit of having millions and millions of descendants? Even if we would become as old as Methuselah, 969 years, they cannot do anything unto our salvation. But when we look at these words a little more seriously, then they contain great comfort, because from the seed of Rebekah the Seed of the woman would be born. He would overcome all the enemies, as it is written, "The gates of hell shall not prevail against it" (Matthew 18:18b). Then Christ would be the Head over thousands of millions, because He delivered a multitude that cannot be counted. Laban and his mother had no thought as to what extent this blessing would be fulfilled. Rebekah's natural seed did become like the sand of the sea, but the spiritual seed became like the stars of heaven. They cannot be counted.

What we see in this history can be compared with the life of God's children. Also in their lives comes the question whether they will go and follow the Lord. It was the Lord who made Rebekah willing to go, and so it is experienced by the church. By nature we do not see any preciousness in the service of the Lord, but the Lord makes His church willing in the day of His power. The Lord inclines the heart of His children by the irresistible labor of the Spirit. The unwilling are made willing. They are drawn by the cords of God's love and led on the way they did not know, to become the Bride of Christ. They may experience with the poet of Psalter 415:4,

Good and upright is Jehovah
In His dealings evermore.
Sinners are by Him instructed
In the way untrod before.

Questions⤒🔗

1. Give a few examples of hospitality and how the favor of the Lord rested upon it. How far did hospitality go? Consider the example of Lot.
2. It was the Oriental custom to wash the feet of the guests. Find a few examples out of God's Word. Do you know the deeper meaning?
3. Many times the words "servant" and "slave" are used in the Bible. What were the interpretations of these words in the days of old, and what have they become today?
4. Mention the principal things which happened at the well: before Rebekah came, when she was there, and when she had left for her home.
5. What do you think of Eliezer's request to depart the next morning? Was this fair or not? Try also to find how this is applicable for the church of God. (Think of presupposed regeneration!)