[We have seen how simply and entirely God was regarded by all the parties concerned in this affair ; by Abraham who gave the commission, by Isaac who acquiesced in it, by the servant who executed it, by Rebekah's friends who submitted to the proposal as proceeding from God, and by Rebekah her- self, who willingly accompanied the servant to Ins master's house. Happy would it be if all masters, children, servants, families, were actuated by such a spirit ! We need not limit our thoughts to the idea of marriage ; for we are told that " in all our ways we should acknowledge God, and that he will direct our paths." There is not a concern, whether per- sonal or domestic, which we ought not to commit to him. And if all our "works were begun, continued, and ended in him," we should find that God would " prosper the work of our hands upon us :" "being in his way, he would most assuredly lead us" to a happy and successful issue p.]
2. Let us execute with fidelity every trust reposed in us —
[It is the privilege both of masters and servants to know, that " they have a Master in heaven;" who accepts at their hands the most common offices of life, provided his authority is acknowledged, his honour consulted, and his will obeyed, in the execution of them. This is God's own direction to them: " Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters accord- ing to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ ; not with eye-service, as men-pleasers ; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart ; with good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men : knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. And, ye masters, do the same things unto themq." Whatever be our particular calling, it is that to which God himself has called us, and which ought to be exercised with a view to him, and as in his immediate sight. O that when we come into the presence of our Lord in the last day, we may be able to give as good an account of ourselves to him, as this servant did to his master Abraham !]
3. Let us accept the offers which are sent to us
in Jesus' name —
[The great concern typified in the history before us, is that in which we are this moment engaged. We are the ser- vants of the most high God ; and you are the people to whom we are sent. We are ambassadors from him ; and we beseech you, in Christ's stead, to be reconciled to him, and to accept
P vor. 27. q Eph. vi. 5 — 9.