And it came to pass, as the camels had finished drinking, that the man took a golden earring of half a shekel weight, and two bracelets for her hands of ten shekels weight of gold;
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Ambrose of Milan
AD 397
For this also is evidence of familiar association with the virtues, that each person walks about in the innocence of … heart, in no wise involves himself in earthly vices, and with the mind’s unhindered step takes the path that is without reproach and does not open up any place in himself to corruption. Such was Isaac as he awaited Rebekah’s coming and made ready for a spiritual union. For she came already endowed with heavenly mysteries. She came bearing mighty adornments in her ears and on her arms, because in her hearing and in the works of her hands there is clearly revealed the beauty of the church, and we note that it was rightly said to her, “May you become thousands of myriads, and may your seed possess the cities of their enemies.” Therefore the church is beautiful, for it has acquired sons from hostile nations. But this passage can be interpreted in reference to the soul, which subdues the bodily passions, turns them to the service of the virtues and makes resistant feelings ...
The servant brought gold earrings and gold bracelets and gave them to Rebekah. Those gold earrings signify the divine words; the gold bracelets signify good works, because works are designated by the hands. Let us observe, brothers, how Christ also gave these gifts to the church. For this reason the servant brought gold earrings for adorning Rebekah’s face, while Christ put into the church’s ears divine words that are of greater value than all pearls. The servant put bracelets on Rebekah’s wrists, while Christ put good works into the church’s hands. Consider, dearly beloved, and rejoice, giving thanks to God because what was prefigured in them has been fulfilled in us by Christ’s gift. Moreover, just as Rebekah could not have had the earrings or bracelets if Isaac had not sent them through his servant, so also the church could not have had divine words in her ears or good works in her hands if Christ by his grace and through his apostles had not conferred them. Furthermore, the fact th...
