My father loves
him best because he brings him in venison; but I know the value of
the honour which is before my family. Surely the one of us who
cares most about the birthright will be most fit to have it, and
ought to have it; and Esau cares nothing for it, while I do.'
So Jacob, in his cunning, bargaining way, took advantage of his
brother's weak, hasty temper, and bought his birthright of him, as
the text tells.
That story shows us what sort of a man Esau was: hasty, careless,
fond of the good things of this life. He had no reason to complain
if he lost his birthright. He did not care for it, and so he had
thrown it away. Perhaps he forgot what he had done; but his sin
found him out, as our sins are sure to find each of us out. The day
came when he wanted his birthright and could not have it, and found
no place for repentance--that is, no chance of undoing what he had
done--though he sought it carefully with tears. He had sown, and he
must reap; he had made his bed, and he must lie on it. And so must
Jacob in his turn.
Now this, I think, is just what the story teaches us concerning God.
God chooses Abraham's family to grow into a great nation, and to be
a peculiar people.
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