Ja'cob had led a happy life in his father's home, and had enjoyed many favors because of his mother's love for him. That is why it was a great trial for him to become a wanderer, facing unknown dangers in a world that was strange to him. The journey to La'ban's home in Mes-o-po-ta'mia was a long, hard trip, filled with many perils.
Still he must go out and face with courage the hardships that would come to him for many years. With staff in hand, carrying a few necessities for the long journey, he took leave of his parents and started on the strange roads to a land far to the north. Leaving Be'er-she'ba, which lay on the border of the desert in the extreme southwestern part of the land, Ja'cob walked over the hills, through the valleys, and across the plains in a northerly direction. After several days of travel had wearied him, he paused one evening at a spot in the mountains not far from Beth'el, about fifty miles from his home at Be'er-she'ba.
As Ja'cob rested his weary body upon the bare ground and looked at the countless stars overhead, many solemn thoughts filled his mind. A feeling of guilt rested heavenly upon his heart, and the loneliness of having to bear the results of wrong-doing without a mother's sympathy and good advice filled his soul with fear and worry. With the passing of the light and cheer of the sun a gloomy darkness descended upon him. As he fell into slumber his last thought was upon the need for protection and guidance from the LORD. He now realized that if the blessings promised in the Covenant with A'bra-ham were ever to be fulfilled in him they must come through the forgiving and redeeming love of God, and not the trickery or cunning fraud.
There came to Ja'cob a wonderful dream, a spiritual vision from God. Suddenly the Heavens above him were radiant with the Glory of God; he saw a stairway leading from the ground near where he slept up into the Heavens where God was dwelling, and angels were going up and coming down the stairs. Carried away by the dream, Ja'cob opened his whole mind and heart to its message. The LORD seemed to be speaking to him from the top of the stairway, renewing in every detail the Covenant which He had made with A'bra-ham.
Thursday, April 28, 2016
Wednesday, April 27, 2016
Story 21: The Crafty Scheme Of Re-bek'ah And Ja'cob To Gain The Blessing Intended For E'sau lll
As soon as I'saac had given the blessing Ja'cob hurried out of the room. Presently E'sau returned from the hunting field, cooked the venison, and came to his father to receive the blessing which belonged to him. I'saac was then forced to admit that he had just finished a meal provided by one whom he thought to be his elder son. E'sau was overcome with disappointment and sorrow, and pleaded with his father to give him the blessing. It was too late to receive the blessing of the first-born, for once it was given it could not be changed.
Realizing that he had now been twice supplanted by his brother Ja'cob, E'sau now begged his father to give him whatever blessing that could still be given. I'saac then promised that E'sau and his descendants should enjoy great prosperity and fame, and should be successful in war. With these blessings, however, there would be burden of servitude to his brother. Sometimes his descendants would triumph over the house of Ja'cob, but would then be forced again into serving them.
Although E'sau wept bitterly in his disappointment, there was no repentance in his heart for the sins which brought him so great a loss. At no time was there a word of humility or an admission of sin; all that E'sau desired was revenge. In a fit of anger he vowed to kill Ja'cob at the first opportunity. He wept, not for the sins of selling his birthright and entering marriages forbidden in the Covenant with A'bra-ham, but for the loss of the blessing.
Re-bek'ah became so alarmed by E'sau's threats against the life of Ja'cob that she decided to send her younger son to her brother's home in Mes-o-po-ta'mia until E'sau's anger had become less violent. She pretended to I'saac that her reason for sending Ja'cob away was to prevent him from repeating the error of E'sau in marrying among the women of Ca'naan. Hurried plans were made for Ja'cob's journey, and he went away with the blessings of his father and the anxious prayers of his mother. Re-bek'ah had thought that his visit would be brief, but she did not live to see his return twenty years later. Everyone who had taken part in the crafty schemes of Re-bek'ah and Ja'cob suffered greatly for the sins they had committed. Though the LORD overruled the entire affair for the accomplishment of His purposes and the glory of His name, sorrow and suffering came to all who had done wrong.
Realizing that he had now been twice supplanted by his brother Ja'cob, E'sau now begged his father to give him whatever blessing that could still be given. I'saac then promised that E'sau and his descendants should enjoy great prosperity and fame, and should be successful in war. With these blessings, however, there would be burden of servitude to his brother. Sometimes his descendants would triumph over the house of Ja'cob, but would then be forced again into serving them.
Although E'sau wept bitterly in his disappointment, there was no repentance in his heart for the sins which brought him so great a loss. At no time was there a word of humility or an admission of sin; all that E'sau desired was revenge. In a fit of anger he vowed to kill Ja'cob at the first opportunity. He wept, not for the sins of selling his birthright and entering marriages forbidden in the Covenant with A'bra-ham, but for the loss of the blessing.
Re-bek'ah became so alarmed by E'sau's threats against the life of Ja'cob that she decided to send her younger son to her brother's home in Mes-o-po-ta'mia until E'sau's anger had become less violent. She pretended to I'saac that her reason for sending Ja'cob away was to prevent him from repeating the error of E'sau in marrying among the women of Ca'naan. Hurried plans were made for Ja'cob's journey, and he went away with the blessings of his father and the anxious prayers of his mother. Re-bek'ah had thought that his visit would be brief, but she did not live to see his return twenty years later. Everyone who had taken part in the crafty schemes of Re-bek'ah and Ja'cob suffered greatly for the sins they had committed. Though the LORD overruled the entire affair for the accomplishment of His purposes and the glory of His name, sorrow and suffering came to all who had done wrong.
Tuesday, April 26, 2016
Story 21: The Crafty Scheme Of Re-bek'ah And Ja'cob To Gain The Blessing Intended For E'sau ll
Re-bek'ah overheard the words between I'saac and E'sau, and knew that whoever brought the dish of venison to her husband would receive the blessing which belonged to the first-born. She also knew that E'sau had sold his birthright to Ja'cob, but she remembered the promise of God that the heritage should be given to Ja'cob, and that E'sau was morally and spiritually unfit to carry out the deeds which God had named in His Covenant with A'bra-ham. She felt that in some way I'saac should be thwarted in his plans, and that the blessing intended for E'sau should be given to her favorite son.
In a desperate attempt to win the birthright for Ja'cob, Re-bek'ah used a cunning scheme. The scheme was unworthy of the high purposes desired, but Divine Providence permitted it for the sake of carrying on the chosen race of God. It is true that she tricked I'saac into doing what was right, but it is always wrong to deceive; both she and Ja'cob paid dearly for their acts of deception. The evil in their deeds did not cease to be evil merely because God was able to bring some good out of a wicked action.
Re-bek'ah called Ja'cob and told him to go out among the flocks and kill two young goats, explaining that she would cook the meat into a savory dish which I'saac would think was venison, and that Ja'cob should take the meat to his father and receive the blessing intended for E'sau. Ja'cob was afraid that his father would discover the trickery, even though he was almost blind, for E'sau was a very hairy man, and his clothing had a strong odor of the huntsman. Re-bek'ah then declared that she could overcome all danger by having Ja'cob wear clothes which belonged to E'sau, and by covering his hands and neck with goat skins to give the appearance of human hair.
Ja'cob finally gave in to his mother's will, and agreed to do as he had been told. The scheme was carried out perfectly, just as Re-bek'ah had predicted. In the course of the meal which he served to I'saac, Ja'cob not only represented himself as E'sau, but actually lied to his father in the name of the LORD. Tricked into believing that he was speaking with E'sau, who was still searching for venison to bring his father, I'saac pronounced upon Ja'cob the blessings of the first-born. Among these blessings were: The promise of future security in the land of Ca'naan, prosperity and increase of both goods and family, the leadership of the Chosen people of God, and supremacy over his brother and all his kinsmen.
Before these blessings were fully enjoyed by Ja'cob, he had to travel a long, hard road of trial and suffering, had to be cured of his craftiness and deceit, and had to have his name changed from that of Ja'cob, the supplanter, to Is'rael, the contender with God. Of these events we shall learn in future chapters.
In a desperate attempt to win the birthright for Ja'cob, Re-bek'ah used a cunning scheme. The scheme was unworthy of the high purposes desired, but Divine Providence permitted it for the sake of carrying on the chosen race of God. It is true that she tricked I'saac into doing what was right, but it is always wrong to deceive; both she and Ja'cob paid dearly for their acts of deception. The evil in their deeds did not cease to be evil merely because God was able to bring some good out of a wicked action.
Re-bek'ah called Ja'cob and told him to go out among the flocks and kill two young goats, explaining that she would cook the meat into a savory dish which I'saac would think was venison, and that Ja'cob should take the meat to his father and receive the blessing intended for E'sau. Ja'cob was afraid that his father would discover the trickery, even though he was almost blind, for E'sau was a very hairy man, and his clothing had a strong odor of the huntsman. Re-bek'ah then declared that she could overcome all danger by having Ja'cob wear clothes which belonged to E'sau, and by covering his hands and neck with goat skins to give the appearance of human hair.
Ja'cob finally gave in to his mother's will, and agreed to do as he had been told. The scheme was carried out perfectly, just as Re-bek'ah had predicted. In the course of the meal which he served to I'saac, Ja'cob not only represented himself as E'sau, but actually lied to his father in the name of the LORD. Tricked into believing that he was speaking with E'sau, who was still searching for venison to bring his father, I'saac pronounced upon Ja'cob the blessings of the first-born. Among these blessings were: The promise of future security in the land of Ca'naan, prosperity and increase of both goods and family, the leadership of the Chosen people of God, and supremacy over his brother and all his kinsmen.
Before these blessings were fully enjoyed by Ja'cob, he had to travel a long, hard road of trial and suffering, had to be cured of his craftiness and deceit, and had to have his name changed from that of Ja'cob, the supplanter, to Is'rael, the contender with God. Of these events we shall learn in future chapters.
Monday, April 25, 2016
Story 21: The Crafty Scheme Of Re-bek'ah And Ja'cob To Gain The Blessing Intended For E'sau l
E'sau's lack of respect for the Covenant which God had made with A'bra-ham, and for his parents' wishes was shown in his marriage. During his hunting trips he had become well acquainted with the Hit'tites, a heathen people of Canaan who were under the curse of God for worshipping idols. When he was forty years old he took two wives in this heathen land. Such a deed brought great sorrow to his father and mother, for it was a disgrace to the family name. From these unholy marriages there sprang a people known in later history as the E'dom-ites, who were always enemies of God's Chosen people.
In spite of his disobedience and scorn for True Religion, E'sau remained the favorite son of the patient, long-suffering I'saac. As the strength of I'saac began to fade and his eyesight grew dim, he felt that he should prepare for his death which might come at any moment. He was now one hundred and thirty-seven years old, his half-brother Ish'ma-el had been dead for fourteen years, and he was now so feeble that even his family thought death was near. Although he did not die until forty-three years later, he thought it wise to arrange for the division of his property. In those days it was custom for a father to make what is now called a will by giving his blessing to the sons who were to inherit his belongings. In these blessings the father would tell what each son was to inherit, and once a blessing had been given it could not be changed.
E'sau's unholy marriages to the two Hit'tite women had taken place thirty-seven years before, but he had remained in the household of I'saac during all these years, and his father had gradually forgiven his disobedience. And so I'saac planned to bestow upon E'sau, his elder son and favorite, the blessing which belonged to the first-born son, in spite of the fact that E'sau had sold his birthright to Ja'cob many years before, and had proven himself unworthy of the heritage.
One day as I'saac sat in the house, no doubt tired and worried by his feeble state of health, and believing that he might soon be called from this world, he said to E'sau "I am failing in strength, and my eyes are dim; I do not know how soon I may die. Before I die let me bestow upon you, my elder son, the blessings of the first-born. I wish you to inherit this land, and to become the head of the nation through which all the families of the earth are to be blessed. Before I give this blessing, however, take thy bow and quiver and go out into the fields. Kill a deer, and bring me the venison which I love so well.
It was the duty of E'sau to remind his father that the rights of the first-born had been sold long ago to Ja'cob, and he should have admitted his unworthiness to carry on the family from which the Mes-si'ah was to come. Instead of acting honestly in this matter, E'sau was moved by the spirit of irreverence and boldness which had marked his entire life. That is why he obeyed his father's request, not so much in the spirit of a dutiful son as in the hope of gaining the blessing which he had sold to Ja'cob for a mess of pottage.
In spite of his disobedience and scorn for True Religion, E'sau remained the favorite son of the patient, long-suffering I'saac. As the strength of I'saac began to fade and his eyesight grew dim, he felt that he should prepare for his death which might come at any moment. He was now one hundred and thirty-seven years old, his half-brother Ish'ma-el had been dead for fourteen years, and he was now so feeble that even his family thought death was near. Although he did not die until forty-three years later, he thought it wise to arrange for the division of his property. In those days it was custom for a father to make what is now called a will by giving his blessing to the sons who were to inherit his belongings. In these blessings the father would tell what each son was to inherit, and once a blessing had been given it could not be changed.
E'sau's unholy marriages to the two Hit'tite women had taken place thirty-seven years before, but he had remained in the household of I'saac during all these years, and his father had gradually forgiven his disobedience. And so I'saac planned to bestow upon E'sau, his elder son and favorite, the blessing which belonged to the first-born son, in spite of the fact that E'sau had sold his birthright to Ja'cob many years before, and had proven himself unworthy of the heritage.
One day as I'saac sat in the house, no doubt tired and worried by his feeble state of health, and believing that he might soon be called from this world, he said to E'sau "I am failing in strength, and my eyes are dim; I do not know how soon I may die. Before I die let me bestow upon you, my elder son, the blessings of the first-born. I wish you to inherit this land, and to become the head of the nation through which all the families of the earth are to be blessed. Before I give this blessing, however, take thy bow and quiver and go out into the fields. Kill a deer, and bring me the venison which I love so well.
It was the duty of E'sau to remind his father that the rights of the first-born had been sold long ago to Ja'cob, and he should have admitted his unworthiness to carry on the family from which the Mes-si'ah was to come. Instead of acting honestly in this matter, E'sau was moved by the spirit of irreverence and boldness which had marked his entire life. That is why he obeyed his father's request, not so much in the spirit of a dutiful son as in the hope of gaining the blessing which he had sold to Ja'cob for a mess of pottage.
Saturday, April 23, 2016
Story 20: E'sau Sells His Birthright To Ja'cob ll
Ja'cob's desire for the birthright was probably caused by what his mother had told him about the place he was to hold according to God's promise, and one cannot blame him for such a desire. He did wrong, however, in trying to gain the birthright before the LORD was ready to give it to him, and in the cruel bargain which he forced upon E'sau when his brother was too weak to protect his own interests. His deed showed that he did not trust in the LORD to carry out the promise as He thought best. The use of unworthy means to gain an honorable end cannot be justified in the sight of God.
The conduct of E'sau was also disgraceful. When he heard the shrewd offer of Ja'cob, he agreed to it without argument, and even spoke slightingly of his birthright. If he had been honorable enough to deserve the birthright, he would have preferred a crust of bread and a cup of water to the more satisfying food for which he was willing to give so much. He acted without any regard for his spiritual welfare, giving up all prospects of a great future inheritance for the sake of one good meal while he was hungry. The blessings promised to the descendants of A'bra-ham, the honor of being the head of God's chosen people, and all the property and wealth that would come to the one who held the birthright were exchanged for a mess of pottage.
Ja'cob afterwards suffered much because of his wrong-doing on this occasion, and E'sau lost forever all that he had sold so cheaply. Of these consequences we shall learn in future chapters.
The conduct of E'sau was also disgraceful. When he heard the shrewd offer of Ja'cob, he agreed to it without argument, and even spoke slightingly of his birthright. If he had been honorable enough to deserve the birthright, he would have preferred a crust of bread and a cup of water to the more satisfying food for which he was willing to give so much. He acted without any regard for his spiritual welfare, giving up all prospects of a great future inheritance for the sake of one good meal while he was hungry. The blessings promised to the descendants of A'bra-ham, the honor of being the head of God's chosen people, and all the property and wealth that would come to the one who held the birthright were exchanged for a mess of pottage.
Ja'cob afterwards suffered much because of his wrong-doing on this occasion, and E'sau lost forever all that he had sold so cheaply. Of these consequences we shall learn in future chapters.
Friday, April 22, 2016
Story 20: E'sau Sells His Birthright To Ja'cob l
In the course of events in the home of I'saac and Re-bek'ah, and in the strained relations between their twin sons, a small thing gave rise to circumstances which clearly foretold the separate character and destiny of each son.
E'sau, the wild, roving lover of outdoor life, had just returned from a long, hard day of pursuing game in the forest and fields. He was very tired and hungry, and for the moment his ravenous appetite outweighed all other thoughts. His brother Ja'cob, whose quiet, domestic habits had given him practical experience in home comforts, had just prepared a bowl of red pottage made of different grains and lentils beaten in a mortar and boiled into a gruel. This was a favorite dish among the Oriental people of that day, and its odor brought the pangs of hunger in the exhausted, fainting E'sau to the breaking point.
He begged his brother Ja'cob to give this bowl of pottage to him. Under the circumstances such a kindness would have been a natural expression of brotherly sympathy and love, but Ja'cob refused the request. Taking advantage of his brother's great hunger, and of his weakness at that moment, Ja'cob offered to give him the food which he requested in exchange for his birthright. It was really a cruel, unworthy thing to ask, even though Ja'cob may have had just reasons for believing that he was entitled to the rights and privileges of the firstborn.
Ja'cob's conduct was also irreverent and sacrilegious, for the birthright dealt with religious privileges which should not have been sought by driving a hard bargain, or by any kind of trickery or scheming. To think of the birthright as something which could be bought or sold was altogether wrong, and to offer a mess of pottage for it was a shameful act.
The rights of the firstborn included a double share in the property left by the father, leadership of the family, and the right to act as priest in family worship. In the case of Ja'cob and E'sau it also gave the honor of being the head of the chosen people who were later known as the children of Is'ra-el, and the right to occupy the land of Ca'naan.
E'sau, the wild, roving lover of outdoor life, had just returned from a long, hard day of pursuing game in the forest and fields. He was very tired and hungry, and for the moment his ravenous appetite outweighed all other thoughts. His brother Ja'cob, whose quiet, domestic habits had given him practical experience in home comforts, had just prepared a bowl of red pottage made of different grains and lentils beaten in a mortar and boiled into a gruel. This was a favorite dish among the Oriental people of that day, and its odor brought the pangs of hunger in the exhausted, fainting E'sau to the breaking point.
He begged his brother Ja'cob to give this bowl of pottage to him. Under the circumstances such a kindness would have been a natural expression of brotherly sympathy and love, but Ja'cob refused the request. Taking advantage of his brother's great hunger, and of his weakness at that moment, Ja'cob offered to give him the food which he requested in exchange for his birthright. It was really a cruel, unworthy thing to ask, even though Ja'cob may have had just reasons for believing that he was entitled to the rights and privileges of the firstborn.
Ja'cob's conduct was also irreverent and sacrilegious, for the birthright dealt with religious privileges which should not have been sought by driving a hard bargain, or by any kind of trickery or scheming. To think of the birthright as something which could be bought or sold was altogether wrong, and to offer a mess of pottage for it was a shameful act.
The rights of the firstborn included a double share in the property left by the father, leadership of the family, and the right to act as priest in family worship. In the case of Ja'cob and E'sau it also gave the honor of being the head of the chosen people who were later known as the children of Is'ra-el, and the right to occupy the land of Ca'naan.
Thursday, April 21, 2016
Story 19: The Birth Of The First Twins In History ll
When the two sons reached the age of maturity I'saac showed a strong preference for E'sau, to whom he intended to leave his property and family heritage. If I'saac knew of the Divine revelation to Re-bek'ah which declared that Ja'cob was to be the chosen son, he seems to have regarded it as only a wish of Re-bek'ah, and not as the voice of God.
I'saac seems also to have felt that E'sau, who was strong, bold, and active, was better fitted than Ja'cob to take possession of the land of Ca'naan for the descendants of A'bra-ham. The rights which belonged to a first-born son, the physical powers of E'sau, and I'saac's personal wishes were all in favor of E'sau as the natural heir to his property.
Re-bek'ah, on the other hand, preferred Ja'cob, feeling that his sharpness of mind, his love for domestic peace and prosperty, and the choice of God which had been announced before his birth overcame the natural preference of I'saac for E'sau.
The strong preferences on the part of I'saac and Re-bek'ah became the source of much unhappiness in the domestic life of the family, and gave rise to the jealousy and bitterness which often broke out between the two sons. Happiness and justice in the home were forgotten, and the future relations of the two sons and their descendants were turned into hatred, disputes, and warfare. Later chapters in these narratives tell the story of the sad results of these unfortunate circumstances.
I'saac seems also to have felt that E'sau, who was strong, bold, and active, was better fitted than Ja'cob to take possession of the land of Ca'naan for the descendants of A'bra-ham. The rights which belonged to a first-born son, the physical powers of E'sau, and I'saac's personal wishes were all in favor of E'sau as the natural heir to his property.
Re-bek'ah, on the other hand, preferred Ja'cob, feeling that his sharpness of mind, his love for domestic peace and prosperty, and the choice of God which had been announced before his birth overcame the natural preference of I'saac for E'sau.
The strong preferences on the part of I'saac and Re-bek'ah became the source of much unhappiness in the domestic life of the family, and gave rise to the jealousy and bitterness which often broke out between the two sons. Happiness and justice in the home were forgotten, and the future relations of the two sons and their descendants were turned into hatred, disputes, and warfare. Later chapters in these narratives tell the story of the sad results of these unfortunate circumstances.
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