Genesis 35:8 But Deborah Rebekah's nurse died, and she was buried beneath Bethel under an oak: and the name of it was called Allonbachuth. Here is a servant remaining in the same family through four generations, leaving Laban's house with Rebekah, when a young bride, going with her into a distant country, living and serving in that family till one after another are conveyed to the grave. First, the elements of character in servants; second, the elements of character in the employer that would help to form and lead to the appreciation and honour of such a character in the employed. I. I will begin by detailing SOME OF THE MORE IMPORTANT ELEMENTS OF CHARACTER IN SERVANTS. 1. There must be in the servant a sense of responsibility to God. 2. Then you have another characteristic, that of willingly and cheerfully doing her work. 3. Then servants must be truthful. 4. Then faithfulness — just let us look at this. Faithfulness is to action what truthfulness is to word. 5. Faithfulness also implies frugality. 6. Then with regard to the influence on little children; as, you know, nursery rhymes and nursery talk cling to the child, when it has forgotten things that he had acquired in maturer life. 7. Then another thing is obedience. II. Now, a few remarks in regard to THE CHARACTER OF EMPLOYERS. 1. He too must have the fear of God in his heart, as the ground of all his obligations, not only to God, but to his fellow-creatures. 2. Then there must be justice done by the employer to the employed. 3. In the next place, there must be order on the part of the employer. 4. Then next there must be right example before the servants on the part of the master and mistress. 5. Benevolence should be another part of the master's character. Finally, I would direct the employer and employed to that world where the faithful servant of God will receive an inheritance that will never pass away, and a crown that will never perish, and where both masters and servants, who have followed the Lord in their lives, will become priests and kings unto God for ever. (T. Thomas.) Parallel Verses KJV: But Deborah Rebekah's nurse died, and she was buried beneath Bethel under an oak: and the name of it was called Allonbachuth. |
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