Genesis 24:50

Laban and Bethuel recognised in this the guidance of God, and said, "From Jehovah (the God of Abraham) the thing proceedeth; we cannot speak unto thee bad or good," i.e., cannot add a word, cannot alter anything (Num 24:13; Sa2 13:22). That Rebekah's brother Laban should have taken part with her father in deciding, was in accordance with the usual custom (cf. Gen 34:5, Gen 34:11, Gen 34:25; Jdg 21:22; Sa2 13:22), which may have arisen from the prevalence of polygamy, and the readiness of the father to neglect the children (daughters) of the wife he cared for least.

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 those that are his. The subjoining of Isaac's marriage to Sarah's funeral (with a particular reference to it, Gen 24:67) 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 (Gen 24:1-9). II. His servant's journey into Abraham's country, to seek a wife for his young master among his own relations (Gen 24:10-14). III. The kind providence which brought him acquainted with Rebekah, whose father was Isaac's cousin-german (Gen 24:15-28). IV. The treaty of marriage with her relations (v. 29-49). V. Their consent obtained (Gen 24:50-60). VI. The happy meeting and marriage between Isaac and Rebekah (Gen 24:61, etc.).

24:50-51 Following his testimony about God’s guidance, the servant secured the family’s blessing and permission to take Rebekah to his master’s son Isaac.