10 The servant took ten of his master's camels and, loaded with gifts from his master, traveled to Aram Naharaim and the city of Nahor. 11 Outside the city, he made the camels kneel at a well. It was evening, the time when the women came to draw water. 12 He prayed, "O God, God of my master Abraham, make things go smoothly this day; treat my master Abraham well! 13 As I stand here by the spring while the young women of the town come out to get water, 14 let the girl to whom I say, 'Lower your jug and give me a drink,' and who answers, 'Drink, and let me also water your camels' - let her be the woman you have picked out for your servant Isaac. Then I'll know that you're working graciously behind the scenes for my master." 15 It so happened that the words were barely out of his mouth when Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel whose mother was Milcah the wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother, came out with a water jug on her shoulder. 16 The girl was stunningly beautiful, a pure virgin. She went down to the spring, filled her jug, and came back up. 17 The servant ran to meet her and said, "Please, can I have a sip of water from your jug?" 18 She said, "Certainly, drink!" And she held the jug so that he could drink. 19 When he had satisfied his thirst she said, "I'll get water for your camels, too, until they've drunk their fill." 20 She promptly emptied her jug into the trough and ran back to the well to fill it, and she kept at it until she had watered all the camels. 21 The man watched, silent. Was this God's answer? Had God made his trip a success or not? 22 When the camels had finished drinking, the man brought out gifts, a gold nose ring weighing a little over a quarter of an ounce and two arm bracelets weighing about four ounces, and gave them to her. 23 He asked her, "Tell me about your family? Whose daughter are you? Is there room in your father's house for us to stay the night?" 24 She said, "I'm the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah and Nahor. 25 And there's plenty of room in our house for you to stay - and lots of straw and feed besides." 26 At this the man bowed in worship before God 27 and prayed, "Blessed be God, God of my master Abraham: How generous and true you've been to my master; you've held nothing back. You led me right to the door of my master's brother!" 28 And the girl was off and running, telling everyone in her mother's house what had happened.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 24:10-28
Commentary on Genesis 24:10-28
(Read Genesis 24:10-28)
Abraham's servant devoutly acknowledged God. We have leave to be particular in recommending our affairs to the care of Divine providence. He proposes a sign, not that he intended to proceed no further, if not gratified in it; but it is a prayer that God would provide a good wife for his young master; and that was a good prayer. She should be simple, industrious, humble, cheerful, serviceable, and hospitable. Whatever may be the fashion, common sense, as well as piety, tells us, these are the proper qualifications for a wife and mother; for one who is to be a companion to her husband, the manager of domestic concerns, and trusted to form the minds of children. When the steward came to seek a wife for his master, he did not go to places of amusement and sinful pleasure, and pray that he might meet one there, but to the well of water, expecting to find one there employed aright. He prayed that God would please to make his way in this matter plain and clear before him. Our times are in God's hand; not only events themselves, but the times of them. We must take heed of being over-bold in urging what God should do, lest the event should weaken our faith, rather than strengthen it. But God owned him by making his way clear. Rebekah, in all respects, answered the characters he sought for in the woman that was to be his master's wife. When she came to the well, she went down and filled her pitcher, and came up to go home with it. She did not stand to gaze upon the strange man his camels, but minded her business, and would not have been diverted from it but by an opportunity of doing good. She did not curiously or confidently enter into discourse with him, but answered him modestly. Being satisfied that the Lord had heard his prayer, he gave the damsel some ornaments worn in eastern countries; asking at the same time respecting her kindred. On learning that she was of his master's relations, he bowed down his head and worshipped, blessing God. His words were addressed to the Lord, but being spoken in the hearing of Rebekah, she could perceive who he was, and whence he came.