Page:An Exposition of the Old and New Testament (1828) vol 1.djvu/164

132 light, and choose to be clandestine; but they that design honestly in their bargains, care not who are witnesses to them. Our law countenances sales made in market-overt, and by deed enrolled.

I. Abraham, without fraud, covin, or further delay, pays the money: v. 16. he pays it readily, without hesitation; pays it in full, without diminution; and pays it by weight, current money with the merchant, without deceit. See how anciently money was used for the help of commerce; and see how honestly money should be paid where it is due. Observe, Though all the land of Canaan was Abraham's by promise, yet the time of his possessing being not come, what he had now occasion for, he bought and paid for. Note, Dominion is not founded in grace. The saints' title to an eternal inheritance does not entitle them to the possessions of this world, nor justify them in doing wrong.

II. Ephron honestly and fairly makes him a good title to the land, v. 17, 18, 20. The field, with all its appurtenances, is conveyed to Abraham and his heirs for ever, in open court, (not by writing, it does not appear that writing was then used,) by such a public solemn declaration before witnesses as was sufficient to pass it. Note, As that which is bought must be honestly paid for; so that which is sold, must be honestly delivered and secured.

III. Abraham, thereupon, takes possession, and buries Sarah in the cave or vault, (whether framed by nature or art, is not certain,) which was in the purchased field. It is probable that Abraham had buried servants out of his family, since he came to Canaan, but the graves of the common people (2 Kings 23. 6.) might suffice for them; now that Sarah was dead, a peculiar place must be found for her remains. It is worth noting, 1. That a burying-place was the first spot of ground Abraham was possessed of in Canaan. Note, When we are entering into the world, it is good to think of our going out of it; for as soon as we are born, we begin to die. 2. That it was the only piece of land he was ever possessed of, though it was all his own in reversion. Those that have least of this earth find a grave in it. Abraham provided, not cities, as Cain and Nimrod, but a sepulchre, (1.) To be a constant memorandum of death to himself and his posterity, that he and they might learn to die daily. This sepulchre is said to be at the end of the field, v. 9, for, whatever our possessions are, there is a sepulchre at the end of them. (2.) To be a token of his belief and expectation of the resurrection; for why should such care be taken of the body, if it be thrown away for ever, and must not rise again? Abraham, in this, said plainly that he sought a better country, that is, a heavenly. Abraham is content to be still flitting, while he lives, but secures a place where, when he dies, his flesh may rest in hope.

CHAR XXIV. Marriages and funerals are the changes of families, and the common news among the inhabitants of the villages. In the foregoing chapter, we had Abraham burying his wife, here, we have him marrying his son. These stories concerning his family, with their minute circumstances, are largely related, while the histories of the kingdoms of the world then in being, with their revolutions, are buried in silence; for the Lord knows them that are his. The subjoining of Isaac's marriage to Sarah's funeral (with a particular reference to it, v. 67.) shows us, that as one generation passes away, another generation comes; and thus the entail both of the human nature, and of the covenant, is preserved. Here is, I. Abraham's care about the marrying of his son, and the charge he gave to his servant about it, v. 1..9. II. His servant's journey into Abraham's country, to seek a wife for his young master among his own relations, v. 10..14. III. The kind providence which brought him acquainted with Rebekah, whose father was Isaac's cousin-german, v. 15..28. IV. The treaty of marriage with her relations v. 29..49. V. Their consent obtained, v. 50..60. VI. The happy meeting and marriage between Isaac and Rebekah, v. 61..67.

ND Abraham was old, and well-stricken in age; and the had blessed Abraham in all things. 2. And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh: 3. And I will make thee swear by the, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell: 4. But thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac. 5. And the servant said unto him, Peradventure the woman will not be willing to follow me unto this land: must I needs bring thy son again unto the land from whence thou camest? 6. And Abraham said unto him. Beware thou, that thou bring not my son thither again. 7. The God of heaven, which took me from my father's house, and from the land of my kindred, and which spake unto me, and that sware unto me, saying, Unto thy seed will I give this land; he shall send his angel before thee, and thou shalt take a wife unto my son from thence. 8. And if the woman will not be willing to follow thee, then thou shalt be clear from this my oath: only bring not my son thither again. 9. And the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master, and sware to him concerning that matter.

Three things we may observe here concerning Abraham.

I. The care he took of a good son, to get him married, well-married. It was high time to think of it now, for Isaac was about 40 years old, and it had been customary with his ancestors to marry at 30, or sooner, ch. 11. 14, 18, 22, 24. Abraham believed the promise of the building up of his family, and therefore did not make haste; not more haste than good speed. Two considerations moved him to think of it now, (v. 1.) 1. That he himself was likely to leave the world quickly, for he was old, and well-stricken in age, and it would be a satisfaction to him to see his son settled, before he died: and, 2. That he had a good estate to leave behind him, for the Lord had blessed him in all things: and the blessing of the Lord, that makes rich. See how much religion and piety befriend outward prosperity. Now Abraham's pious care concerning his son, was, (1.) That he should not marry with a daughter of Canaan, but with one of his kindred; because he saw by observation that the Caananites were degenerating into great wickedness, and knew by revelation that they were designed for ruin; and therefore he would not marry his son among them, lest they should be either a snare to his soul, or, at least, a blot to his name. (2.) That yet he should not leave the land of Canaan, to go himself among his kindred, nor even for the purpose of choosing a wife, lest he should be tempted to settle there. This caution is given, v. 6, and repeated, v. 8,