THE K I N G ’ S B U S I NE S S
982
bols of the blessings of the kingdom of grace and glory.— Rambach. Do Mother and Father think more of one of your brothers or sisters than they do of you? How it hurts! That iS' what makes some children leave home. The sin of partiality is one M.Y of the most damaging rela- GIRLS tions existing between par ents and children, destroy ing all confidence and cordiality between the children themselves and between the children and their parents, and not infrequently between the parents. I always think of this lesson, as an illus tration of “ the sin of partiality in the home” rather than “ Jacob’s deception.” Esau and Jacob have grown to man hood. Esau is the father’s favorite. Isaac prepares to pass the father’s blessing and with it doubtless the birth right on to Esau (27:1-5), although God had distinctly said before their birth that the family birthright was to be Jacob’s (25:23). When we try to do things contrary to what God has ordered we are only breeding trouble for ourselves and others. It is hard to understand Isaac’s partiality going to the extent of attempting to thwart God’s purpose and revealed plan. We will see later in the lesson the results of his endeavor to do this coupled with the results of Rebekah’s favoritism for Jacob. Immediately Rebekah learns that Isaac is preparing to bless his favorite son she makes plans to get the blessing for her favorite son by deception. She too knew of God’s promise to Jacob, for the Lord had spoken directly to her. (25:23) Foolish woman! She could not wait for God to work out His announced, plan. (Ps. 37:4-5; Ps. 27: 14). She may have thought that she was helping God to get the blessing placed on Jacobi She made a mess of it. This is usually the result when we think God’s plans are going to mis carry unless we step in. Of course
enough— enough for faith but not enough for nature which must ever adapt its own ways and know nothing of what it is to wait on God.— C. H. M. v. 20. Isaac said. It is quite common to place Rebekah and Jacob too much in ' the shadows of sin in comparison with Isaac. A want of divine providence may be tecognized through all his actions. The manner in which Isaac intended to bless Esau places his offense in a clearer light. It is a woman’s shrewdness that crosses the shrewdly calculated project of Isaac. Lange. God brought it to me. The meanest of all deceivers and liars is the one who decorates his falsehood with pious protestations.— Torrey. v. 21. Come near that I may feel thee. If you are deprived of the eyes of your body, see that you do not lose the eye of faith.— Cramer. v. 22. He felt him. This is the only case in the Bible whe?e any one went by his feelings, and this one went wrong.— Torrey. The hands are Esau’s. His voice is Jacob’s voice but his hands are Esau’s. He speaks the language of a saint but it is the work of a sinner.— Henry. v 27. The smell of the field. The aromatic odors of the Syrian fields often impart a strong fragrance to the person and clothes, as has been noticed by many travelers.-J. F. & B. The scent of Lebanon (Hosea 14:7; Song of Sol. 4:11) was distinguished.—Knobel. v. 28. Isaac much against his will blessed him whom Jehovah designed to bless.— Schroder. Whoever observes Jacob’s life after he had surreptitiously obtained his father’s blessing will per- ' eeive that he enjoyed very little real felicity. Wonderful and instructive are the ways of Providence!—C. H. M. Jacob had not deceived, he would have secured the blessing without the curse. --Torrey. Three things Jacob is here blessed with— plenty (v. 2^> P°w®r (v. 29), and prevalency with Goa. Henry. Dew, corn and wine are sym
Made with FlippingBook Online newsletter