Genesis 24:32-49 And the man came into the house: and he ungirded his camels, and gave straw and provender for the camels, and water to wash his feet… I. ITS RELIGIOUS ELEMENT. 1. The sense of instant duty. 2. A recognition of God's gracious dealings. 3. A solemn sense of responsibility. (1) To man. (2) To God. II. ITS ECONOMIC ELEMENT. The steward gives an account of Abraham's wealth and position (ver. 35). He knew that the parents of this well-bred damsel would never consent to give their daughter to a man of mean circumstances and living one hundred miles away, nor to one of ignoble or degraded family. He takes care, therefore, to state that his master is rich, and that the bride would have a suitable home and congenial society. Still, with that pious feeling which marked him hitherto, he takes equal care to note that the riches of his master were righteously gotten. "The Lord hath blessed my master greatly" (ver. 35). He also gave suitable presents (ver. 47). He treats her as one who is to enter such a distinguished family. In all this transaction the religious and the economic elements are mixed in due proportion. The men who most believed in the supernatural, and who had most abundant witness of it, were the men who used the most care in the employment of common prudence and skill. This man does not blindly rely upon miracles alone, but uses human means and proprieties to their proper extent and trusts for the blessing of God. (T H. Leale.) Parallel Verses KJV: And the man came into the house: and he ungirded his camels, and gave straw and provender for the camels, and water to wash his feet, and the men's feet that were with him. |
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