Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/113

 the same  whom  Thou  hast  provided  for  thy  servant  Isaac;  and by this  I shall  understand  that  Thou  hast  shown  kindness  to  my master."

He had  not  yet  ended  his  prayer  when  Rebecca,  a beautiful and modest  maiden,  came  out,  carrying  a pitcher. She went down to  the  well,  filled  the  pitcher,  and  was  returning,  when Eliezer ran  to  meet  her  and  said: “Give  me  a little  water  to  drink out of  thy  pitcher."  She  answered  him  kindly:  “Drink,  my  lord." And quickly  she  let  down  the  pitcher  upon  her  arm,  and  gave him to  drink. And when  he  had  drunk,  she  said:  “I  will  draw water for  thy  camels  also  till  they  all  drink."  Then,  pouring  water into  the  troughs,  she  let  the  camels  drink.  After  they  had  drunk, the  servant  presented  her  with  golden  ear-rings  and  bracelets, saying  to  her:  “Whose  daughter  art  thou?  Tell  me,  is  there  any place  in  thy  father’s  house  to  lodger"  She  answered:  “I  am  the daughter of  Bathuel,  the  son  of  Nachor. We have  a good  store of both  straw  and  hay,  and  a large  place  to  lodge  in."  Then Eliezer  bowed  down  and  adored  the  Lord,  saying:  “Blessed  be the  Lord  God  of  Abraham,  who  hath  not  taken  away  His  mercy and  truth  from  him,  and  hath  brought  me  the  straight  way  into the  house  of  my  master’s  brother!"

He was  then  invited  to  the  house,  and  bread  was  set  before him, but  he  refused  to  eat,  until  he  had  delivered  his  message. When he  had  stated  the  object  of  his  coming,  Laban,  the  brother of Rebecca,  and  Bathuel,  her  father,  answered:  “The  word  hath proceeded from  the  Lord :  we  cannot  speak  any  other  thing  but His pleasure. Behold! Rebecca is  before  thee:  take  her  and  go thy  way,  and  let  her  be  the  wife  of  thy  master’s  son,  as  the Lord hath  spoken."  Then  the  servant  bowed  down  to  the  ground, adored  the  Lord  and,  bringing  forth  vessels  of  gold  and  silver, with  garments  of  the  finest  texture,  presented  them  to  Rebecca. He  also  presented  rich  gifts  to  her  brother  and  mother.  Then, full  of  joy,  he  partook  of  the  refreshments  offered  to  him.  Next morning,  after  Rebecca  had  received  the  blessing  of  her  parents