Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/115

 and brother,  she  set  out  with  her  maidens  for  her  destined  home, and on  arriving  there  became  the  wife  of  Isaac. Abraham lived many years  after  Isaac’s  marriage. He died,  aged  one  hundred and seventy-five  years,  and  was  buried  by  his  son  at  Hebron , where Sara,  his  wife,  had  been  buried  before.

Unity of  faith  the  chief  thing  in  married  life.  Almighty  God  chose Abraham in  order  that  through  him  and  his  descendants  the  true  faith might be  preserved  and  spread. Therefore Abraham  was  very  particular to  choose  for  his  son  Isaac  a wife  who  believed  in  and  served the true  God. He was  resolved  that  Isaac  should  not  marry  any  of the  daughters  of  the  heathen  Chanaanites,  however  beautiful  or  rich they might  be,  for  fear  that  either  he  or  his  children  should  become weak and  wavering  in  their  faith. His first  care  was  that  his  son’s wife should  hold  the  true  faith. It should  likewise  be  the  first  thought of all  Catholics,  for  unity  of  faith  is,  above  all  things,  necessary  to  a happy  marriage. Married people  who  look  on  religion  as  a secondary consideration are  on  the  high  road  to  indifference  about  their  faith,  and even to  the  loss  of  it  altogether.

Eliezer the  model  of  a faithful  servant.  Eliezer  fulfilled  his  master’s commission not  only  with  prudence,  but  also  with  zeal,  for  he  would not even  eat  until  he  had  delivered  his  message,  and  wished  to  return to his  master  as  soon  as  possible  after  having  done  so  He,  like Abraham, was  remarkable  for  his  piety  and  confidence  in  God. He prayed fervently  for  guidance  in  making  a good  choice,  and  thanked God for  the  gracious  guidance  vouchsafed  to  him.

The virtues  displayed  by  Rebecca.  She  was  kind  and  hospitable  to Eliezer,  and  compassionate  towards  the  thirsty  camels. She voluntarily offered to  draw  water  for  the  beasts,  without  waiting  for  Eliezer  to  ask her to  do  so. He knew  by  this  action  that  she  had  a kind  heart,  as well  as  that  she  was  the  bride  desdned  by  God  for  Isaac. God looks to the  heart  and  not  to  the  outward  appearance,  and  chose  Rebecca, on account  of  her  virtues,  to  be  the  wife  of  the  patriarch  Isaac,  from whom the  Divine  Redeemer  was  to  descend.

A summary of  Abraham's  virtues.  Faith  and  hope,  love  of  God and his  neighbour,  hospitality,  obedience,  love  of  peace,  disinterestedness and final  perseverance.