SERMON XXXVIII. ABRAHAM BLESSED IN A FAITHFUL SERVANT. GENESIS XXIV. 9, 10. THE THIGH OF AND THE SERVANT PUT HIS HAND UNDER CAMELS OF THE CAMELS OF HIS MASTER, AND DEPARTED; FOR ALL THE GOODS OF HIS MASTER WERE IN HIS HAND AND HE AROSE, AND WENT TO MESOPOTAMIA, UNTO THE CITY OF NAHOR. EVERY action of our lives should originate in a holy motive, and be directed towards a holy end. The rule is equally applicable, whether the act be among the most ordinary, or the most important of our lives. But this simplicity of purpose and singleness of aim are not enough to make our conduct acceptable to God, through Jesus Christ. We must be equally scrupulous and jealous respecting the measures we adopt, and the agents whom we employ. The glory of our Heavenly Father must be supremely regarded in the choice of instruments, not less than in a selection of the objects to be pursued. Such wise and holy caution is taught us by the example of Abraham. The promised Seed in whom all nations of the earth were to be blessed must spring from Isaac. A wife therefore must be sought for him—not from any family amidst the dark and dismal idolatries, wherewith the world was overspread; but from one where Jehovah was known and worshipped and served, with whatever debasing intermixtures of superstitious devotion. On this point, Abraham is immoveable and peremptory. The wife of his son must be a believer; the land of promise must not be forsaken; lest he should despise his spiritual birthright. If no help, therefore, meet for Isaac may be found in the land and house of his kindred, he will leave the matter with God. He is assured, that although ordinary means fail, a miracle shall vindicate divine veracity; and that Isaac, whatever hindrances may appear, shall no more go childless to the grave, than himself, in whom all the divine engagements had been fulfilled to the letter. But the messenger employed to effect Abraham's holy design, must be a man after his own heart; one who will carry out his principles, be animated by his Spirit, count all other things of little moment, compared with the great duty of effecting a godly marriage for his son: and thus of perpetuating the knowledge of salvation, the love of Jehovah, and the holy walk of faith in his privileged family. For this purpose he chose the eldest, or ruling servant in his house; most probably that Eliezer of Damascus who has been already introduced to our notice, (Gen. xv. 2.) and whom he regarded almost as a son, while yet he remained childless. The proceedings of a domestic servant, in a matter of private and family interest, may appear little worth the record to a profane and unspiritual eye. And so in very truth they would be, had not the Holy Spirit been the historian. But his wisdom has chosen subjects best fitted to promote spiritual edification; if only they shall be regarded with reference to the work of faith, the pleading of prayer, and the manifest dealings of God. So connected, they demand our humble and our serious consideration. So connected, the Holy Ghost addresses us in the history. Eliezer is brought forward by Him as the Teacher, not only of such as serve in families, but of all who serve the Lord Christ, within whatever sphere of relative obligation they may be employed. Thus appealed to, there should be an answer from every heart, whom that Spirit addresses, "Speak Lord, for thy servant heareth." In prosecuting this subject, I propose to exhibit THE CHARACTER OF ELIEZER, AS A PATTERN FOR IMITATION BY SERVANTS, AND BY ALL. It is the duty of every ruler, whether called in divine providence to direct the affairs, and influence the prosperity of an empire, or to exercise controul within the more narrow, but dearer limits of a house and a family, to provide that all its members should own the authority of God, and obey his will, under the constraining motive of the love of Christ. And whether his own deep and solemn responsibilities, or the peace and welfare of his house, and its circle of domestic love be considered, the personal character of his servants is of the highest consequence. His household should be a Church of the living God, a pillar and ground of the truth throughout every degree of rank which it may contain; just as the life of God should pervade every member of the Catholic body of Christ's 11 Sam. iii. 9. visible Church, from the monarch on the throne to the beggar at his palace gate. If there is to be concord in the fellowship, wisdom in the rule, and love in the obedience of any house, the word of truth must guide, and the Spirit of charity must influence the hearts and doings of those who compose the family membership. It therefore becomes alike the duty and interest of the master or the mistress to provide, not only that their servants should be morally, or prudentially honest, truthful, peaceable, and industrious; but influenced by the love of God, and by the power of his grace, as true disciples of Jesus Christ. Such servants as these come into a Christian family, as Jacob into that of Laban; and for their sakes that house hath the visitations of heavenly favour. "I have learned by experience that the Lord hath blessed me for thy sake."1 Or as Joseph entered the family of Potiphar, " and the Lord blessed the Eyyptian's house for Joseph's sake." When Pharaoh looked around for one who might be set over the land of Egypt for its need -little as he reckoned perhaps of the true Jehovah; yet concerning a proper depository for 1 Gen. xxx. 27. 2 Gen. xxxix. 5. |