Page images
PDF
EPUB

train of ten camels, many days' journey eastward, into Chaldea, his native country, to the residence of his brother Nahor, to propose the marriage of Isaac with one of the daughters of his family.

[graphic][ocr errors][merged small]

He arrives at the place towards evening, and reposing himself by a well of water, a little without the city, offers a silent prayer to God that the damsel, whom the divine counsels have appointed to be the wife of Isaac, may come forth with her pitcher, and draw water for the

[blocks in formation]

refreshment of himself and his camels. God by his providence accomplished the desire of the servant. Even while he was yet speaking in his heart, a young maiden named Rebekah came forth to draw water from the well. The circumstances of the interview corresponded exactly to the faithful servant's petition.

This is a remarkable instance of an immedi ate and circumstantial answer to prayer. It is also a beautiful illustration of the doctrine of a special providence.

Who was Rebekah?

She was the daughter of Bethuel, one of the sons of Nahor. Her mother was Milcah, and her brother, Laban. Isaac and Bethuel were cousins-german.

Rebekah shows great courage and decision of character. She is asked to leave her own people and her father's house, to go with strangers to a far country, which is to be her future home, and where she is to enter into new relations, in an unknown family. Yet without hesitation she says, "I will go." With suitable

attendants she went forth under the care of

[graphic][merged small]

Abraham's servant; and journeying to the land of Canaan, became the wife of Isaac.

SONS OF ISAAC.

Isaac and Rebekah had two sons.

How did they differ in person, character, and occupation?

Why did Isaac love Esau best?

Was it a worthy and honorable motive?

What other name had Esau?

The "red pottage," from which Esau obtained the name of Edom, was made of lentils. steeped in water. Lentils grow in a pod, like beans or peas, and are of a tawny, or brownish red color.

THE BIRTHRIGHT.

What was that birthright which Esau despised, and which Rebekah coveted for her favorite son Jacob?

The birthright, in general, denotes the peculiar privileges of a first-born son. In temporal things, it was the right of inheriting a double portion of the property, and of succeeding the father, as head of the family-the ruler and priest of the household. But it was also an emblem of spiritual blessings; of a heavenly inheritance, and membership in the church of God, which is styled the church of the firstborn.

The birthright sold by Esau included the promise of the Messiah to be born in his line, and the possession of the land of Canaan for his posterity.

"Thus Esau despised his birthright." GEN. 25:34.

66

Lest there be any profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright." HEB. 12:16.

By the contrivance of Rebekah, Isaac was deceived, and led to bestow on Jacob the birthright, accompanied with the solemn prophetic blessing, which could not be revoked, of glory, honor, and prosperity to his descendants-all which the patriarch had designed to bestow upon Esau.

Here was wrong-doing on all sides in Isaac, in Rebekah, and Jacob; but God overruled it for good; making the designs and actions of each and all concur in the accomplishment of his purposes, yet not holding them blameless.

It was wrong in Isaac to determine to bestow the blessing on Esau, in opposition to the revealed will of God, that "the elder should serve the younger."

It was wrong in Rebekah to prompt Jacob to deceive his father, and to contrive the means of obtaining the blessing for him by fraud.

It was wrong in Jacob to concur in the evil devices of his mother, and seek to supplant his brother by cunning and falsehood.

« PreviousContinue »