Avraham was elderly, coming along in days. (Bereishis 24:1)
We all know the story. Avraham was elderly, and he sent Eliezer to find a wife for Yitzchak.
But what's the connection between Avraham's age and Yitzchak's shidduch? What's one got to do with another?
The Mefarshim say that since Avraham was already getting old, and he didn't have the strength to go himself to find a wife for his son Yitzchak, that's why he needed to send Eliezer.
We could add another level of understanding to this, although it is not quite the simple, straightforward explanation. First, let's push the question a little. Finding a fitting wife for Yitzchak was surely a matter of supreme importance. Why didn't Avraham make the extra effort, despite his advanced age, and at least come along? Why did he rely completely on Eliezer?
Chazal say that Avraham had previously complained to Hashem that people couldn't tell him and Yitzchak apart, as old age had not yet come into existence, and they looked exactly alike. Avraham asked Hashem to do something about it, and Hashem created old age.
Avraham is thus the one who brought old age to the world. He was not just an elderly man, but the very prototype of old age. He was old age itself.
Avraham's old age was very intense. He was not like other people his age, who could put themselves out and make an extra effort if they really needed to travel. Avraham was totally incapable of going to find a wife for Yitzchak.
1 Bava Metzia 87a.
