THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
Consider the discernment of the servant: he understood the extraordinary love of the patriarch and recognized that the young woman he was to find needed to embody the same virtuous qualities as the righteous man. Thus, the servant sought no other sign but aimed to reveal the young woman's character through her hospitality. He thought: if she shows kindness to me, by offering to draw water when I request it, and goes beyond that by offering to water my camels, she will demonstrate her good nature through her willingness to provide.
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Reflect, dear ones, on the significance of the gentle maiden who drew water; she did not simply comply with the servant's request but generously lowered her jug and allowed a stranger, an unfamiliar person, to drink. Moreover, she extended her kindness to his camels as well, thus revealing her noble spirit. Are we not aware that many who are married often decline such simple requests? Consider this: when people hold lit candles and are asked to pause momentarily for someone to light their own, they often refuse, despite the fact that the flame will remain unchanged, even with numerous individuals waiting to share it. Yet here we find a woman—a maiden carrying her jug—not only accepting the request but exceeding it: she willingly quenched the thirst of the traveler and hastily tended to the needs of the camels.
Observe the wisdom of the servant, a noteworthy sign he proposes. He did not specify, “Let her be one who rides mules, transported in a chariot, accompanied by a retinue of attendants and adorned with physical beauty,” as the one appointed for his master. Rather, he said, "I will request, 'Tilt your pitcher, so that I may drink.'" What does this signify, you might wonder? For your master, do you seek a wife so humble, so engaged in the act of drawing water, so inclined to converse with you? Indeed, he affirms, for my mission is not to seek vast wealth or noble lineage but to find a woman of noble character. Often, those who carry water possess commendable virtue, while some who reside in opulence might be wholly unsuitable.
Moreover, how does one discern that she is virtuous? By the sign I have described. What is this indicator of virtue? It stands as the most definitive—the sign of hospitality, the greatest and most apparent. What he conveys, albeit not in identical phrases, is this: I search for a maiden so welcoming that she spares no effort in rendering kindness. It was for good reason that he sought this quality; he came from a heritage renowned for its hospitality, and thus he initially endeavored to discover a maiden who would mirror the disposition of his masters. His intention was to bring her to a home that welcomed travelers; therefore, to avoid discord—should her husband share his resources with others, like his father, embracing guests and she, in her excessive caution, refuse and withhold him, as frequently occurs in many households—he longed to ascertain her hospitable nature, for we owe all favors to this virtue. In this way, his lord also gained a bride, became a father; he sacrificed a calf and was blessed with a son, he prepared meals and received from God the promise of descendants as numerous as the stars. As all good things arose from this spirit of hospitality, I prioritize my search accordingly. Let us not dwell on the request for water alone, but recognize that it is emblematic of a truly hospitable heart, one that not only provides what is needed but generously offers more than what is asked.