January 22

JANUARY 22.—“Deborah Rebekah’s nurse died, and she was buried beneath Beth-el under an oak: and the name of it was called Allon-bachuth.”—Genesis 35:8.

She was one of his mother’s servants. When Rebekah married, she took Deborah along with her. She had therefore attended Jacob in his infancy; and after his mother’s death he seems to have sent for her, and she came and lived with him, and rendered herself useful to his own children. She must now have been very aged. In those earlier days domestics retained their relation to their masters and mistresses much longer than they now do; unless they married; and sometimes, even then, they commonly died in the families in which they lived. Now, the connexion is frequently but for the year or month. “Ah,” it is said, “servants are not now what they were formerly.” We believe it; but the principal reason perhaps is, because their masters and mistresses are not the same. Corruption, like every other stream, does not run upward, but downward. Fashions descend from the high to the low; and morals do the same. From the state of the hall, we may generally ascertain the previous state of the parlour.

Old domestics, who have been faithful and useful in their generation, should not be disregarded as hirelings who have filled their day, but be treated as humble relations—“Thine own friend and thy father’s friend forsake not.”

No mention is made of Rebekah’s dissolution or interment; but we are informed of the death and burial of her nurse. As all could not have a place in his word, the pleasure of God is seen in the distinguished notice taken of some individuals above others. Yet he has not acted arbitrarily in this case. He bestows his favours freely; but honour is dispensed according to rule, and that rule he has himself laid down—“Them that honour me, I will honour.” And this may be done in any station, or condition of life. And the Lord is no respecter of persons. He seeth not as man seeth; and often chooses things that are not, to bring to nought things that are, that no flesh may glory in his presence.

The weeping here was so great that it gave a name to the place. Nothing could more strongly show the worth of this old female, and the place she held in the esteem and affection of the whole family. Every tear that dropped from every eye said, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” There are some who draw forth no blessing while they live, or tears when they die—a dry funeral is a hateful sight.

She was buried upon the spot, under “the oak of weeping.” Burying-places are of natural, not of religious consideration. Where the tree falleth, it may lie. But let us not fail to observe how little we know of the circumstances in which we may be called to die—whether among careless strangers or sobbing friends, whether at home or abroad, whether in the chamber or on the road. Therefore, says Wisdom, “be ye always ready, for in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of man may come.” We can ascertain where we began life, but there is only one Being who can tell where we shall end it. But we may well leave it to our Heavenly Father to choose the lap of earth on which we shall repose. Wherever it may be, it will be alike safe and comfortable, if we fall asleep in Jesus.