Page images
PDF
EPUB

12. History of Isaac. He blesses his Sons.

Genesis xxv. 17-xxvi. 23; xxvii; xxviii.

Twenty years after Isaacs and 'Rebekah were married they had two sons. The Lord told Rebekah before they were born, that the elder should serve the younger. This was fulfilled many years after in their descendants. Esau was the firstborn, and Jacob was the younger son. Esau was a 'cunning hunter, a man of 'the field. Jacob was a 'plain man, dwelling in 'tents. Esau came from the field 'weary and faint. He asked Jacob for his 'red pottage; Jacob would not give it to him except for his birthright. Esau thought his birthright was of little use, so he 'sold it to Jacob for a mess of pottage. They were then thirty years of age.

There was a famine again in Canaan,3 and Isaac went to 'Gerar.9 God confirmed to Isaac the promises he had made to Abraham. Isaac told the men of Gerar that Rebekah was his sister. Abimelech reproved him for his deceit. Isaac's flocks and herds increased very much. The herdsmen of Gerar 'quarrelled with Isaac's herdsmen, about the 'wells of water. Isaac left Gerar, and dwelt at Beersheba.9 Some years after, Ishmael 'died in the presence of all his brethren.

66

When Isaac was old his eyes were dim, and he could not see. He called his son Esau, to bless him. Rebekah wished Jacob to have the blessing, and she and Jacob 'deceived Isaac. Isaac gave Jacob the firstborn's blessing, saying, "God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine; let people serve thee, and nations bow down to thee; be lord over thy brethren, and let thy mother's sons bow down to thee; cursed be every one that curseth thee, and blessed be he that blesseth thee." When Esau came in, Isaac knew that he had been deceived, and he blessed Esau also, saying, Behold, thy dwelling shall be the fatness of the earth, and of the dew of heaven from above; and by thy sword shalt thou live, and shalt serve thy brother; and it shall come to pass when thou shalt have the dominion, that thou shalt break his yoke from off thy neck." Esau hated Jacob for having obtained their father's greatest blessing; and he said he would slay Jacob. Jacob fled to Laban, his mother's brother, at "Padan-aram; on his way thither he had a vision at Bethel.6 God appeared to him, and 'renewed the promises he had made to Abraham and to Isaac. He also promised to protect and bless him in all places, and to bring him again into Canaan.

GEOGRAPHICAL NOTE.

Padan-aram-a district in the northern part of Mesopotamia in which some of Abraham's kindred were settled. Les. 10.

EXPLANATIONS. Isaac-was remarkable for gentleness and kindness; he was of a retiring and meditative disposition, and unambitious in his hopes and pursuits.

told, &c.-all things are known to Godpast, present, and future. The communication was probably made in a dream, or in answer to prayer. descendants-the Israelites and the Edomites.

deceived-because they lacked a spirit of patient trust in God. bow down, &c.-this was fulfilled when the Edomites were made subject to Israel in the reign of David. Les. 57.

Rebekah-was characterized for her piety. break, &c.-this occurred in the reign of Jehoram. Les. 93, a vision-a significant dream as he lay asleep on the ground. renewed, &c.-though Jacob had adopted a wrong course with respect to Esau, God would not prove unfaithful to his promises.

Esau-like a hairy moth.'
Jacob-a supplanter.'
cunning-skilful, clever.

the field-the unenclosed country.
plain man-his skin was smooth.
tents a way of expressing the pastoral
mode of life. The plural refers to the
tents of his servants as well as his own
tent.

weary and faint-having been unsuccess-
ful in the chase, he was at that moment
"at the point to die."
rcd-hence Esau was called "Edom," red.
sold it-thus he despised his right to those
peculiar privileges which belonged to
the firstborn. 1. Authority over his
brother. 2. A double or more abundant
portion of his father's land and sub-
stance. 3. A religious supremacy over
the family, including God's blessing.
These great privileges might be trans-
ferred to a younger son, if the firstborn
grew up an irreligious man.
Gerar-at this place Abraham had sinned.
promises, &c.-that his seed should possess
the land of Canaan; that he should be
the head of a great nation, &c.
quarrelled-in these quarrels the meek-
ness of Isaac was beautifully exhibited.
wells-contentions respecting wells are

not uncommon in the East. died, &c.-not as an outcast; but as the venerated head of a large and powerful tribe. See 'a great nation,' Les. 9. brethren-the children of Keturah, Abraham's second wife. Les. 10.

CONTEMPORARY CHARACTERS. ABIMELECH-this was probably the official name of the kings of Gerar, for he was not the same king whom Abraham deceived. Les. 9.

PHICHOL-the official title of the chief captain of Abimelech's host; he witnessed, with Ahuzzath, a covenant of peace between Isaac and Abimelech, when Isaac had left Gerar and removed to Beersheba.

QUESTIONS.

What communication was made to Rebe-
kah previous to the birth of Esau and
In whom was this fulfilled?
[Jacob?
What were the respective occupations of
Esau and Jacob?
What does 'dwelling in tents' mean?
What did Jacob purchase from Esau ?
Why did Esau sell it?

How old were they at this time?
What drove Isaac into Gerar?
Of what crime was he there guilty?
Who blamed him?

Who quarrelled at this time?
Whither did Isaac remove?
Between whom was a covenant of peace

made?

In whose presence did Ishmael die?
Narrate the circumstances of Isaac's
benediction.
When were the Edomites made subject to
When did they revolt?
[Israel?
Tell me the sequel of Jacob's deceit.
Where was Padan-aram?

PRECEPTIVE LESSONS.

From Esau's disregard of the future blessing of his father, we learn not to barter our title to heaven for sensual gratification; for, the " pleasures of this life" can never serve as an equivalent for the enduring blessings of the life to come. Isaac erred at Gerar as did his father, hence parents are to take warning, lest their conduct should be imitated by their children. The methods adopted by Rebekah and Jacob to obtain that which Esau had already bartered, because he despised it, were as unnecessary as criminal. We should learn not to "do evil that good may come," nor to seek to obtain our rights by unlawful means. "Though (the blessing) tarry, wait for it."

13. Jacob serves Laban. He returns to Canaan.

Genesis xxix.—xxxiv.

Jacob12 came into the land of the people of The East5; he inquired for Laban, the grandson of Nahor, when he had come to a well12 at Haran.6 To this well Rachel, a daughter of Laban, came to water her father's sheep. Jacob made himself known to Rachel, and Laban, his uncle, received him with much kindness. Jacob kept the flocks of Laban, and he agreed to serve him seven years for his younger daughter, Rachel. Laban deceived him, and gave him Leah. He served again other seven years for Rachel. So he married both Laban's daughters, and had many children. God blessed Jacob and his flocks and herds increased. Laban and his sons envied Jacob, because of his riches. Jacob left Laban, and took with him his wives and children. Laban 'followed him, and overtook him on Mount Gilead; but God came to Laban by night in a 'dream' and said to him, "Take heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad."

Rachel had stolen her father's 'images. Laban searched for them, but found them not, for she sat upon them. Jacob was 'angry with Laban; and said, "What is my trespass? what is my sin, that thou hast so hotly pursued after me?" He also said, "This twenty years have I been with thee; thy ewes and thy she goats have not cast their young, and the rams of thy flock have I not eaten. That which was torn of beasts I brought not unto thee; I bare the loss of it; of my hand didst thou require it, whether stolen by day, or stolen by night. Thus I was; in the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night; and my sleep departed from mine eyes. Thus have I been twenty years in thy house; I served thee fourteen years for thy two daughters, and six years for thy 'cattle; and thou hast changed my wages ten times. Except the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely thou hadst sent me away now empty. God hath seen mine affliction and the labour of my hands, and rebuked thee yesternight." Laban and Jacob 'covenanted not to do harm to each other.

The angels of God met Jacob at Mahanaim. Jacob heard that his brother Esau was coming towards him, and he feared to meet him; so he prayed to God to deliver him from Esau's hand; he also sent messengers before him with a 'present. At **Peniel God changed Jacob's name to ISRAEL. The two brothers met, and were reconciled to each other. Jacob journeyed to Succoth; he bought a parcel of land from the Shechemites, and erected an altar there. Dinah, the daughter of Jacob, was taken by the prince of Shechem. For this wickedness her brothers, Simeon and Levi, *deceitfully slew the Shechemites, and spoiled their city.

GEOGRAPHICAL NOTES.

Mount Gilead-'heap of witness'; the mountains of Gilead lie east of the Jordan, and extend from Anti-libanus into Arabia Petrea. On one of these hills was "Galeed," the heap of witness of Jacob and Laban.

Mahanaim-two hosts,' a Levitical city beyond the Jordan, between Mount Gilead and the brook Jabbok; the name was given to it by Jacob because the angels of God met him there.

Peniel-the face of God,' a place east of the Jordan, near the ford of the brook
Jabbok, at which place Jacob rested on his return into Canaan.
Succoth-booths,' a city of Gilead at which Jacob dwelt before he went to Shechem.
Shechem-see 'Sichem,' Les. 6.

EXPLANATIONS.

a well-the best place for obtaining accurate information. to water, &c.-she assisted in taking care of the sheep, as many of the Eastern women do to this day. to serve, &c.-daughters in an Eastern family are a source of wealth to their parents, who obtain money or services

for them when they marry.

permitted in those times is opposed to

Dinah... was taken, &c.-Leah was her mother. Dinah had imprudently gone beyond the protection of her father's house and people, under pretence of seedeceitfully, &c.-the Shechemites had ing the daughters of the land. honourably submitted to the terms proposed which greatly aggravated the crime of Simeon and Levi. CONTEMPORARY CHARACTERS.

both, &c.-a plurality of wives, though LABAN-the brother of Rebekah, and the father of Jacob's two wives, Leah and Rachel. LEAH-the first wife of Jacob, and the mother of Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah,

God's will and to man's happiness. envied-they were jealous and malignant. "Who is able to stand before envy?" followed him-with the intention of depriving him of much of his property. dream-as he did to Abimelech. images-or idols; these household gods were objects of superstitious veneration to the women. The possession of such gods showed that idolatry had taken root

Les. 9.

among Shem's posterity.

angry-he was naturally mild, but being conscious of his innocence he became indignant at Laban's unjust suspicions. not cast, &c.-from want of care, Jacob had tenderly preserved them from injury. not eaten-he had not killed them for the

use of himself and his family. frost, &c.-hot days are commonly succeeded by cold nights in many parts of the East. cattle-these also he had received in payment for his services. Except, &c.-Jacob is bold in the assertion of God's watchful care over those who serve him in sincerity. "He that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about." covenanted made a solemn agreement, and ratified it by a sacrifice. angels... met Jacob-to strengthen him for a new trial. coming, &c.-probably with unfriendly designs. present-to conciliate his warrior-brother; a present denoted submission. ISRAEL or princely prevailer' with

God.

Issachar, Zebulun, and Dinah, RACHEL-the beloved wife of Jacob; and the mother of Joseph and Benjamin. BILHAH-the handmaid of Rachel, whom she gave to Jacob; she was the mother of Dan and Naphtali. ZILPAH-the handmaid of Leah, whom she gave to her husband; she had two sons, Gad and Asher. SHECHEM-the son of Hamor, the prince of Shechem, who first defiled Dinah, and then asked her in marriage. Her brothers made a treacherous agreement with the Shechemites, and afterwards executed a cruel revenge. QUESTIONS. With whom had Jacob an interview at a well at Haran? How did her father receive him? What dowry did Jacob agree to pay for Rachel?

Why did he marry the two sisters?
Who caused him to prosper?
To whom was he an object of envy?
What course did their envy drive him to?
Who overtook Jacob on Mount Gilead?
How did it now appear that Jacob was
under the care of God?
What had Rachel stolen, and why?
Tell me what occurred on the Mount.
What event took place at Mahanaim?
What, at Peniel?

Were Jacob and Esau reconciled?
Among what people did Jacob settle?
What transaction took place?

PRECEPTIVE LESSONS.

In this lesson the dignity of honest labour is exemplified in Rachel, who performed the duties of a shepherdess; from the reception of Jacob into Laban's house we see the kindness of God in arranging the minute events of a good man's life; the unloveliness of an avaricious character is shown in the conduct of Laban, who took every advantage of his son-in-law for its gratification; the punishment which awaits transgressors was felt by Jacob, who having deceived his father, is now the dupe of Laban; but the simplicity of Jacob's character was rewarded, while the selfish plans of his covetous uncle were over-ruled. The return of Jacob to the land of promise had high moral purposes to serve; his family had to be weaned from the Syrian idolatry, and his faith in the promise of the ultimate possession of Canaan had to be sustained.

14. Benjamin born. Joseph's early History.

Genesis xxxv.-xxxvii.; xxxix, 1-20.

After Jacob12 had lived some time at Shechem13 God commanded him to remove to Bethel; he put away the 'strange gods from his household; came to Bethel, and built an altar there. At this place God had appeared8 to him when he fled from Esau on his way to Padan-aram.12 Here also God appeared to him again, and blessed him, and called his name ISRAEL,13 and God said, "The land which I gave Abraham and Isaac," to thee I will give it, and to thy seed after thee will I give the land." As Jacob journeyed from Bethel to "Ephrath, 'Benjamin was born. Rachel died, and was buried at Ephrath. After this Jacob came to Isaac, his *father, at Mamre. Esau became very rich, and had many children; his descendants were called Edomites. The descendants of Jacob were afterwards called 'ISRAELITES, from his new name ISRAEL. The names

of Jacob's twelve sons were Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph and Benjamin. (Gen. xxix. 32 -xxx.24; xxxv. 16-18.)

Jacob loved Joseph more than his other children, but his 'brothers hated him. Joseph dreamed dreams, showing that his father and his brethren should bow down before him. His brethren hated him the more for these dreams; and they sold him to a company of Midianites, who came from "Gilead with their camels bearing spicery, balm, and myrrh, which they were carrying down into Egypt.5 His brothers dipped his coat in the blood of a kid which they killed, and brought it to their father. When Jacob saw it he believed an evil beast had devoured Joseph. The Midianites took Joseph into Egypt, and sold him as a slave to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, king of Egypt. The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man. His master saw that the Lord was with him, and that the Lord made all he did prosper in his hand. Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him; and he made him overseer in his house, and all that he had he put into his hand. And it came to pass from the time that he had made him governor in his house, and over all that he had, that the Lord blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of the Lord was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field. And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand, and he knew not aught he had, save the bread which he did eat. Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured. Potiphar's wife spoke falsely of him, and had him 'cast into 'prison. While Joseph was in prison in Egypt, Isaac died at Mamre. His sons Esau and Jacob buried him in the cave of Machpelah. The age of Isaac was a hundredand-fourscore years.

GEOGRAPHICAL NOTES.

Ephrath-abundance,' the ancient name of Bethlehem, on the way to which place Benjamin was born, and Rachel died and was buried.

Midianites-descendants of Midian. See Les. 10. The merchants who bought Joseph of his brethren are called Midianites and also Ishmaelites; the party was probably composed of descendants of both Midian and Ishmael.

Gilead-that is the land of Gilead. which includes the whole country east of the Jordan to Arabia.

« PreviousContinue »