sent

27 And Isaac said unto them, Wherefore come ye to me, seeing ye hate me, and have me away from you?

the

28 And they said, 8 We saw certainly that LORD f was with thee: and we said, Let there be now an oath betwixt us, even betwixt us and thee, and let us make a covenant with thee; 299 That thou wilt do us no hurt, as we have not touched thee, and as we have done unto thee nothing but good, and have sent thee away in peace: thou art now the blessed of the LORD. 30 And he made them a feast, and they did eat and drink.

31 And they rose up betimes in the morning, and sware one to another: and Isaac sent them away, and they departed from him in peace. 32 And it came to pass the same day, that Isaac's servants came, and told him concerning the well which they had digged, and said unto him, We have found water.

33 And he called it 10 Shebah: therefore the name of the city is 11 Beer-sheba unto this day. 34 And Esau was forty years old when he took to wife Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Bashemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite:

35 Which were 12 a grief of mind unto Isaac and to Rebekah.

11, 7.

e And Jephthah said unto the elders of Gilead, Did not ye hate me, and expel me out of myfather's house? and why are ye come unto me now when ye are in distress? Judges, Seeing we saw. at that time, that Abichief captain of his host saying, God is with thee now therefore that thou wilt not deal falsely with me, nor my son's son: but acthat I have done unto me, and to the land

f And it came to pass melech and Phichol the

spake unto Abraham,

that thou doest;

unto me here by God

with my son, nor with cording to the kindness thee, thou shalt do unto wherein thou hast sojourned. Gen. 21, 22, 23, 9 If thou shalt, etc. g Ye are blessed of the ven and earth. Psalm

twelve tribes of Israel: and this is it that their father spake unto them,

and blessed them; every one according to his blessing heblessed them. is the blessing, where

Genesis, 49, 28. And this with Moses the man

of

blessed the children of Israel before his death. Deuteronomy, 33, 1. By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau

come. Hebrews, 11, 20. e See verse 13. f See verse 4.

And he blessed Joseph, and said, God, before whom my fathers Abra

ham and Isaac did walk, the God which fed me all my life long unto

this day, etc. Gen. 48,15. out red, all over like an

h And the first came

hairygarment; and they called his name Esau Genesis, 25, 25.

i See verse 22

And he said, Cursed servants shall he be 35%. Cursed be he that wander out of the way. And all the people shali

be Canaan; a servant of

unto his Gen.

9,

See chapter 27, 46. And Isaac called Jacob, and blessed him, and unto him, Thou shalt charged him, and said

not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan... And Esau seeing that

the daughters of Canaan pleased not Isaac his father, etc. Genesis,

he

28, 1, 8.

2 And he said, Behold now, I am old, I know not the day of my death. 3 Now

therefore take, I pray thee, thy

12 bitterness of spirit. CHAP. 7.-B. C. 1760.

a Now the eyes of Is

rael were dim for age,

so

that he could not see.

Genesis, 48, 10. And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in and

his eyes began to wax

for it. At length, he removed to a quiet settlement, cleaving to his peaceable principle, rather to fly than fight, unwilling to dwell with them that hated peace, Ps. 120, 6. He preferred quietness to victory. He digged a well, and for that they strove not, v. 22. Note, Those that follow peace, sooner or later, shall find peace; those that study to be quiet, seldom fail of being so. How unlike was Isaac to his brother Ishmael, who, right or wrong, would hold what he had, against all the world! ch. 16, 12. And which of these would we be found the followers of? This well they called Rehoboth, Enlargements, room enough: in the two former wells we may see what the earth is, straitness and strife; men cannot thrive, for the throng of their neighbours: this well shows us what heaven is; it is enlargement and peace, room enough there, for there are many mansions. -H. A FOOLISH MARRIAGE.-Here is, 1. Esau's foolish marriage; foolish, some think, in marrying two wives together, for which, perhaps, he is called a fornicator, Heb. 12, 16, or rather in marrying Canaanites, who were strangers to the blessing of Abraham, and subject to the curse of Noah, for which he is called profane; for hereby he intimated that he neither desired the blessing, nor dreaded the curse, of God. 2. The grief and trouble it created to his tender parents. (1.) It grieved them, that he married without asking, or at least, without taking, their advice and consent: see whose steps those children tread in, who either contemn or contradict their parents in disposing of themselves. (2.) It grieved them, that he married among those who had no religion among them; for Esau knew what were his father's care and mind concerning him, that he should by no means marry a Canaanite. (3.) It should seem, the wives he married were provoking in their conduct towards Isaac and Rebekah: those children have little reason to expect the blessing of God, who do that which is a grief of mind to their good parents.-H.

CHAP. XXVII. MAKING THE WILL.-Old people should be reminded by the growing infirmities of age, to do quickly, and with all the little might they have, what their hand finds to do. See Josh. 13, 1. The consideration of the uncertainty of the time of our departure out of the world, (which God has wisely kept us in the dark about,) should quicken us to do the work of the day in its day. The heart and the house should both be set and kept in order, because in such an hour as we think not, the Son of man comes; because we know not the day of our death, we are concerned to mind the business of life. He bids him to get things ready for the solemnity of executing his last will and testament, by which he designed to make him his heir, v. 3, 4. Esau must go a hunting, and bring some venison, which his father will eat of, and then bless him. In this, he designed, not so much the refreshment of his own spirits, that he might give the blessing in a lively manner, as it is commonly taken, but rather the receiving of a fresh instance of his son's filial duty and affection to him, before he bestowed this favour upon him. Perhaps Esau, since he was married, had brought his venison to his wives, and seldom to his father, as formerly, (ch. 25, 28,) and therefore Isaac, before he would bless him, would have him show this piece of respect to him. Note, It is fit, if the less be blessed of the greater, that the greater

Jacob instructed by Rebekah.

weapons, thy quiver and thy bow, and go out to the field, and 1 take me some venison;

4 And make me savoury meat, such as I love, and bring it to me, that I may eat; that my Sould may bless thee before I die.

5 And Rebekah heard when Isaac spake to Esau his son. And Esau went to the field to hunt for venison, and to bring it.

6 T And Rebekah spake unto Jacob her son, saying, Behold, I heard thy father speak unto Esau thy brother, saying,

7 Bring me venison, and make me savoury meat, that I may eat, and bless thee before the LORD before my death.

8 Now therefore, my son, obey my voice according to that which I command thee.

9 Go now to the flock, and fetch me from thence two good kids of the goats; and I will make them savoury f meat for thy father, such as he loveth:

10 And thou shalt bring it to thy father, that he may eat, and that he may bless thee before his death.

11 And Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, Behold, Esau my brother is a hairy man, and I am a smooth man:

I

shall seem to him as a deceiver; and I shall 12 My father peradventure will feel me, and bring a curse upon me, and not a blessing. 13 And his mother said unto him, Upon me thou require him: if I be thy curse, my son: only obey my voice, and and set him before thee, go fetch me them.

say, Amen. Deut. 27, 18. k I will be surety for him; of my hand shalt

bring him not untothee,

then let me bear the blame for ever. Gen.43,9.

The soul that sinneth,

14 And he went, and fetched, and brought

it shall die. The son them to his mother: and his mother made

shall not bear the ini

quity of the father,

neither shall the father Savoury meat, such as his father loved. 15 And Rebekah took 2 goodly raiment of

bear the iniquity of the

son: the righteousness

of the righteous shall

m

be upon him, and the her eldest son Esau, which were with her in the

wickedness of the wick

ed shall be upon him. house, and put them upon Jacob her younger son: 16 And she put the skins of the kids of the

Ezekiel, 18, 20. Then answered all the people,

and said, His blood be

on

us, and on our chil-goats upon his hands, and upon the smooth of I See verses 4 and 9. his neck:

dren. Matthew, 27,

2 desirable.

m See verse 27.

17 And she gave the savoury meat and the

should be served and honoured by the less. Observe, he says, That my soul may bless thee before I die. Note, 1. Prayer is the work of the soul, and not of the lips only; as the soul must be employed in blessing God, (Ps. 103, 1,) so it must be in blessing ourselves and others: the blessing will not come to the heart, if it do not come from the heart. 2. The work of life must be done before we die, for it cannot be done afterward; (Eccl. 9, 10,) and it is very desirable, when we come to die, to have nothing else to do but to die. Isaac lived above forty years after this; let none, therefore, think that they shall die the sooner, for making their wills, and getting ready for death.-H.

REBEKAH'S DECEPTIONS.-She endeavours to deceive Isaac's sense of tasting, by dressing some choice pieces of kid, seasoning it, serving it up, so as to make him believe it was vension; which was no hard matter to do. See the folly of those that are nice and curious in their appetite, and take a pride in humouring it. It is easy to impose upon them with that which they pretend to despise and dislike, so little, perhaps, does it differ from that to which they give a decided preference. Solomon tells us that dainties are deceitful meat; for it is possible for us to be deceived by them, more ways than one, Prov. 23, 3.

2. His sense of feeling and smelling: she put Esau's clothes upon Jacob, his best clothes, which, it might be supposed, Esau would put on, in token of joy and respect to his father, when he was to receive the blessing. Isaac knew these, by the stuff, shape, and smell, to be Esau's. If we would obtain a blessing from our heavenly father, we must come for it in the garments of our elder Brother, clothed with his righteousness, who is the First-born among many brethren. Lest the smoothness and softness of Jacob's hands and neck should betray him, she covered them, and probably part of his face, with the skins of the kids that were newly killed, v. 16. Esau was rough indeed, when nothing less than these would serve to make Jacob like him. Those that affect to seem rough and rugged in their carriage, put the beast upon the man, and really shame themselves, by thus disguising themselves.

And, lastly, It was a very rash word which Rebekah spake, when Jacob objected the danger of a curse; Upon me by thy curse, my son, v. 13. Christ indeed, who is mighty to save, because mighty to bear, has said, Upon me be the curse, only obey my voice; he has borne the burthen of the curse, the curse of the law, for all those that will take upon them the yoke of the command, the command of the gospel. But it is too daring for any creature to say, Upon me be the curse, unless it be that curse causeless, which we are sure shall not come, Prov. 26, 2.-H.

LYING.-Lying is soon learned. The Psalmist speaks of those who, as soon as they are born, speak lies, Ps. 58, 3; Jer. 9, 5. I wonder how honest Jacob could so readily turn his tongue to say, (v. 19,) I am Esau, thy first-born; nor do I see how the endeavour of some to bring him off, with that equivocation, I am made thy first-born, namely, by purchase, does him any service; for, when his father asked him, (v. 24,) Art thou my very son Esau? he said, I am. How could he say, I have done as thou badest me, when he had received no command from his father, but was doing as his mother bade him? How could he say, Eat of my venison, when

20 And Isaac said unto his son, how is it that thou hast found it so quickly, my son? And he said, Because the LORD thy God brought 3 to me.

it

21 And Isaac said unto Jacob, Come near, I pray thee, that I may feel thee, my son, whether thou be my very son Esau or not.

22 And Jacob went near unto Isaac his father; and he felt him, and said, The voice is Jacob's voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau. 23 And he discerned him not, because "his hands were hairy, as his brother Esau's hands: so he blessed him.

24 And he said, Art thou my very son Esau? And he said, "I am.

t

25 And he said, Bring it near to me, and I will eat of my son's venison, that my soul may bless thee. And he brought it near to him, and he did eat: and he brought him wine, and he drank. 26 And his father Isaac said unto him, Come near now, and kiss me, my son.

27 And he came near, and kissed him: and he smelled the smell of his raiment, and blessed him, and said, See, "the smell of my son is as the smell of a field which the LORD hath blessed:

of

name in vain. Exod.

3 before me.

See verse 12.

r See verse 16.

chapter

away

man truth with his

neighbour. Eph. 4, 25.

t See verse 4.

u His branches shall

Esau's complaint.

с

tree, and his smell as Lebanon. Hosea, 14, 6. For the earth, which drinketh in the rain

it,

that cometh oft upon herbs meet for them by

and bringeth forth

whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God. Heb. 6, 7.

v By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau con

cerning things to come.

Hebrews, 11, 20.

w And of Joseph he said, Blessed of the

LORD be his land, for

the precious things of heaven, for the dew, and for the deep that

coucheth beneath... Issafety alone: the founupon a land of corn and

rael then shall dwell in

of Jacob shall be

wine; also his heavens shall drop down dew.

Deut. 33, 13, 28.

z All the best of the

oil, and all the best of

the wire, and of the wheat, the first-fruits of them which they shall

them have I given thee.

offer unto the LORD, Numbers, 18, 12 earth, and waterest it: est it with the river

Thou visitest the

thou greatly enrich

of

God, which is full of water: thou preparest them corn, when thou

hast so provided for

it.

6

Kings, 8, 20.

28 Therefore Psalm 85, Fo V God give thee of the "dew heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and rent is his beauty plenty of corn and wine: Corn shall make the

y

bow

29 Let people serve thee, and nations down to thee: be lord over thy brethren, and let" thy mother's sons bow down to thee: cursed beb every one that curseth thee, and blessed he that blesseth thee.

be

30 ¶ And it came to pass, as soon as Isaac had made an end of blessing Jacob, and Jacob was yet scarce gone out from the presence of Isaac his father, that Esau his brother came in from his hunting.

31 And he also had made savoury meat, and brought it unto his father, and said unto his

two manner of people shall be separated from

thy bowels: and the one

people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger. Genesis, 25, 23.

a

and very sore lamentation: and he made a

38 And Esau said unto his father, Hast thou but one blessing, my father? bless me, even me also, O my father! And Esau lifted up his voice, and wept.

8

seven days. Gen 50, 10,

And I will bless them

that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee; and in thee shall

he knew it came not from the field, but from the fold? But, especially, I wonder how he could have the assurance to father it upon God, and to use his name in the cheat, (v. 20,) The Lord thy God brought it to me. Is this Jacob? Is this Israel indeed without guile? It is certainly written, not for our imitation, but for our admonition. Let him that thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. Good men have sometimes failed in the exercise of those graces for which they have been most eminent.-H.

THE BLESSING. This was an extraordinary blessing; and Providence so ordered it, that Isaac should bestow it upon Jacob ignorantly and by mistake,|| that it might appear he was beholden to God for it, and not to Isaac. Three things Jacob is here blessed with; 1. Plenty; (v. 28,) heaven and earth concurring to make him rich. 2. Power; (v. 29,) particularly dominion over his brethren, namely Esau and his posterity. 3 Prevalency with God, and a great interest in heaven; Cursed be every one that curseth thee. Let God be a friend to all thy friends, and an enemy to all thine enemies." More is certainly comprised in this blessing than appears prima facie at first sight; it must amount to an entail of the promise of the Messiah, and the church: that was, in the patriarchal dialect, the blessing; something spiritual, doubtless, is included in it. First, That from him should come the Messiah, who should have a sovereign dominion on earth, It was that top-branch of his family, which people should serve, and nations bow down to. See Numb. 24, 19. Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion, the Star and Sceptre, v. 17. Jacob's dominion over Esau was to be only typical of this, ch. 49, 10. Secondly, That from him should come the church, that should be particularly owned and favoured by Heaven. It was part of the blessing of Abraham, when he was first called to be the father of the faithful, ch. 12, 3, I will bless them that bless thee; therefore, when Isaac afterward confirmed the blessing to Jacob, he called it the blessing of Abraham, ch. 28, 4. Balaam explains this too, Numb. 24, 9. Note, It is the best and most desirable blessing, to stand in relation to Christ and his church, and to be interested in Christ's power, and the church's favours.-H. UNAVAILING REPENTANCE.-He that made so light of the birthright would now have inherited the blessing, but he was rejected, and found no place for repentance in his father, though he sought it carefully with tears, Heb. 12, 17. Observe, 1. How carefully he sought it. He prepared the savoury meat, as his father had directed

selves in an evil mat

They encourage themter: they commune of ter: they commune of

42 And these words of Esau her elder son were told to Rebekah: and she sent and called Jacob her younger son, and said unto him, Behold, thy brother Esau, as touching thee, doth "comfort himself, purposing to kill thee. 43 Now therefore, my son, obey my voice; and unto Haran, and dwelt arise, flee thou to Laban my brother to Haran;

him, and then begged the blessing which his father had encouraged him to expect, v. 31. When he understood that Jacob had got it surreptitiously, he cried with a great and exceeding bitter cry, v. 34. No man could have laid the disappointment more to heart than he did; he made his father's tent to ring with his grief, and again (v. 38,) lifted up his voice, and wept. Note, the day is coming, when those that now make light of the blessings of the covenant, and sell their title to them for a thing of nought, will, in vain, be importunate for them. Those that will not so much as ask and seek now, will knock shortly, and cry, Lord, Lord. Slighters of Christ will then be humble suitors to him. 2. How he was rejected. Isaac, when first made sensible of the imposition that had been practised on him, trembled exceedingly, v. 33. Those that follow the choice of their own affections, rather than the dictates of the divine will, involve themselves in such perplexities as these. But he soon recovers himself, and ratifies the blessing he had given to Jacob. I have blessed him, and he shall be blessed; he might, upon very plausible grounds, have recalled it, but now, at last, he was sensible that he was in error, when he designed it for Esau. Either himself recollecting the divine oracle, or rather having found himself more than ordinarily filled with the Holy Ghost when he gave the blessing to Jacob, he perceived that God did, as it were, say Amen to it.-H.

ESAU'S BLESSING.-Bless me also, v. 34. Hast thou not reserved a blessing for me? v. 36. Note, 1. The worst of men know how to wish well to themselves; and even those who profanely sell their birthright, seem piously to desire the blessing; faint desires of happiness, without a right choice of the end, and a right use of the means, deceive many into their own ruin. Multitudes go to hell with their mouth full of good wishes. The desire of the slothful and unbelieving kills them. Many will seek to enter in, as Esau, who shall not be able, because they do not strive, Luke, 13, 24. 2. It is the folly of most men, that they are willing to take up with any good, (Ps. 4, 6,) as Esau here, who desired but a second-rate blessing, a blessing separated from the birthright. Profane hearts think any blessing as good as that from God's oracle: Hast thou but one? As if he had said, "I will take up with any: though I have not the blessing of the church, yet let me have some blessing." This he had; and let him make his best of it, v. 39, 40. It was a good thing, and better than he deserved. It was promised him, (1.) That he should have a competent livelihood; The fatness of the earth, and the dew of

ND Isaac called Jacob, and blessed "him, and charged him, and said unto him, Thou shalt not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan. 2 Arise, go to Padan-aram, to the house of Bethuel thy mother's father; and take thee wife from thence of the daughters of Laban thy mother's brother.

3 And God Almighty bless thee, and make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, that thou mayest be a multitude of people;

I

anites, among whom dwell. Genesis, 21,

3.

I

e And I will make thee

God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a

daughters of the Ca

I dwell. Genesis, 24, 3.

3

etc.

wife unto my son of the nites, among whom were evil in the eyes, 4 And give thee the blessing of Abraham, ton chapter 36, 3, she thee, and to thy seed with thee; that thou mayest inherit the land 2 wherein thou art a d stranger, which God gave unto Abraham.

5 And Isaac sent away Jacob: and he went to Padan-aram unto Laban, son of Bethuel the Syrian, the brother of Rebekah, Jacob's and Esau's mother.

6¶ When Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob, and sent him away to Padan-aram, to take him a wife from thence; and that, as he blessed him, he gave him a charge, saying, Thou shalt not take a wife of the daughters Canaan;

7 And that Jacob obeyed his father and mother, and was gone to Padan-aram;

is called Bashemath. And these are the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their names,

according to

their generations: the Nebajoth,

chaoth, etc. Genesis,

h Called Charran, in

Acts, 7, 2

i See Job, 33, 15.

And he saith unto say unto you, Hereafopen, and the angels of scending upon the Son

him, Verily, verily, I ter ye shall see heaven God ascending and de

man. John, 1, 51

And God said unto Beth-el, and dwell there:

Jacob, Arise, go up to

and make there an altar unto God, that appeared unto thee when

thy

seed also, be inumbered. Genesis, 13, 16.

4 break forth.

o The LORD thy God

shall enlarge thy bor mised thee. Deut. 12, 20.

der, as he hath pro

p And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that thee shall all families

curseth thee: and in of the earth be blessed

Genesis, 12, 3.

q See Genesis, 31, 3. The Angel which redeemed me from all

evil bless the lads. Ge

nesis, 48, 16. The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy

LORD

right hand. The Lon

all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. 121, 5, 7.

Psalm

His vision at Beth-el.

unto the wives which he had f Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael, Abraham's son, the sister of Nebajoth, to be his wife.

10 T And Jacob went out from Beer-sheba and went toward Haran.

h

11 And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep.

12 And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set i up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it.

ገቢ

0

13 And, behold! the LORD stood above it, and said, I am the LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: " the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed; 14 And "thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth; and thou shalt 4 spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and 2 in thy seed shall him. Genesis, 35, 6. all the families of the earth be blessed. 15 And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep" thee in all places whither thou goest, and

8 So Jacob came to land of Canaan, that is, Beth-el, he, and all the

Luz, which is in the

people that were with

t Be strong, and of a

good courage, fear not,

nor be afraid of them;

he

for

it is that doth go the LORD thy God,

he will

8

fail thee, nor forsake Will bring thee again into this land; for I will thee. Deuter. 31, 6. not leave thee, " until I have done that which I that he should lie; nei- have spoken to thee of.

u God is not a man,

ther the son of man,

hath he said, and shall

that he should repent: 16 And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he not do it? or hath he he said, Surely the LORD is in

spoken, and shall he

not make it good? I knew it not.

Numbers, 23, 19.

not nigh hither: put off

v

this place; and

And he said, Draw 17 And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful 28 this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.

heaven. Note, those that come short of the blessings of the covenant, may yet have a very good share of outward blessings. God gives good ground, and good weather, to many that reject his covenant, and have no part or lot in it. (2.) That, by degrees, he should recover his liberty: if Jacob must rule, (v. 29,) Esau must serve; but he has this to comfort him, he shall live by his sword; he shall serve, but he shall not starve; and, at length, after much skirmishing, he shall break the yoke of bondage, and wear the marks of freedom. This was fulfilled (2 Kings, 8, 20, 22,) when the Edomites revolted.-H. JACOB'S BLESSING.-For him God had reserved some better thing. 1. In Jacob's blessing, the dew of heaven is put first, as that which he most valued and desired, and depended upon; in Esau's, the fatness of the earth is put first, for that was it which he had the first and principal regard to. 2. Esau has these, but Jacob has them from God's hand. God give thee the dew of heaven, v. 28. It was enough to Esau to have the possession; but Jacob desired it by promise, and to have it from covenant love. 3. Jacob shall have dominion over his brethren; for the Israelites often ruled over the Edomites. Esau shall have dominion, that is, he shall gain some power and interest, but shall never have dominion over his brother; we never find that the Jews were sold into the hands of the Edomites, or that they oppressed them; but the great difference is, that there is nothing in Esau's blessing that points at Christ; nothing that brings him or his into the church and covenant of God; and, without that, the fatness of the earth, and the plunder of the field, will stand him in little stead. Thus Isaac, by faith, blessed them both, according as their lot should be. Some observe that Jacob was blessed with a kiss, (v. 27,) so was not Esau.-H.

REBEKAH'S FEARS AND HOPES.-Observe here, 1. What Rebekah feared; lest she should be deprived of them both in one day; (v.45,) deprived, not only of the murdered, but of the murderer, who, either by the magistrate, or by the immediate hand of God, would be sacrificed to justice; which she herself must acquiesce in, and not obstruct: or, if not so, yet thenceforward she would be deprived of all joy and comfort in him. Those that are lost to virtue, are in a manner lost to all their friends. With what pleasure can a child be looked upon, that can be looked upon as no other than a child of the devil? 2. What Rebekah hoped. That if Jacob for a while kept out of sight, the affront which his brother resented so fiercely, would by degrees go out of mind. The strength of passions is weakened and taken off by the distances both of time and place. She promised herself, that his brother's anger would turn away. Note, Yielding pacifies great offences; and even those that have a good cause, and God, on their side, must yet use that with other prudent expedients for their own preservation.-H. PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS.-Ver. 30-46. They, who profanely despise spiritual blessings, may one day bewail their folly, with unavailing lamentations: nay, even in this world, there are seasons when the most ungodly perceive and envy, though

18 And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put for his pillows, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it.

19 And he called the name of that" place 5 Beth-el; but the name of that city was called Luz at the first.

20 And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and with content. 1 Tim. raiment to put on,

And having food and

raiment let us be there

6, 8.

they will not seek for, the superior felicity of believers.-Impenitent sinners blame any rather than themselves; and, in the abundance of worldly enjoyments, they soon forget the folly and misery of forfeiting spiritual blessings.-A pious man, when reminded and convinced of the will of God, will submit his inclination to it, though before he were otherwise minded.-The wicked indeed, being the seed of the old serpent, implacably and without cause hate the righteous: but sometimes the misconduct of the latter furnishes them with a pretext, and draws forth their enmity into more immediate malice and murder; and it behoves us to be very circumspect, that we may not thus become their tempters.-There is much wickedness in the world; but far more in the heart of man; which is restrained by fear, natural affection, shame, conscience, or human laws; without which the earth would be a mere field of blood: for that heart must be truly diabolical, which can seek comfort in a brother's murder.-Though the Lord overruled the conduct of the parties concerned in the transactions here recorded, to the accomplishment of his own purposes; yet we may learn his judgment respecting it, from Isaac's trembling and consternation, and the subsequent discord in his family; from the anguish of Rebekah, when she heard of Esau's murderous intentions, and when she parted with her beloved Jacob, probably no more to meet with him on earth; from Jacob's tedious exile, and great and many hardships; and from his fear long after, lest enraged Esau should smite the mother with the children, (32, 11.)-We would commend Rebekah for her prudent care to prevent the fatal effects of her son's anger; for her tenderness to Isaac, and for her dislike to the ill behaviour of Esau's wives: yet, it is hard to express abhorrence of evil, without some mixture of impatience; for, life may be valuable and useful, though the world, and even our near relatives, be wicked and ungrateful.-S.

CHAP. XXVIII. A FUGITIVE.-Jacob had a hard lodging; (v. 11,) the stones for his pillows, and the heavens for his canopy and curtains. As the usage then was, perhaps this was not so bad as it seems now to us; but we should think, 1. He lay very cold; the cold ground for his bed, and, which, one would suppose, made the matter worse, a cold stone for his pillow, and in the cold air. 2. Very uneasy; if his bones were sore with his day's journey, his night's rest would but make them sorer. 3. Very much exposed; he forgot that he was fleeing for his life; for had his brother, in his rage, pursued, or sent a murderer after him, here he lay ready to be sacrificed, and destitute of shelter and defence: we cannot think it was by reason of his poverty that he was so ill accomodated, but, (1.) It was owing to the plainness and simplicity of those times, when men did not take so much state, and consult their ease, so much as in these later times of softness and effeminacy. (2) Jacob had been particularly used to hardships, as a plain man dwelling in tents; and, designing now to go to service, he was the more willing to inure himself to it; as it proved it was well, ch. 31, 40. (3.) His comfort in the divine blessing, and his confidence in the divine protection, made him

Rachel's grief for her barrenness.

I

Surely the LORD hath looked upon my affliction; now therefore my husband will love me. 33 And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Because the LORD hath heard that was hated, he hath therefore given me this son also: and she called his name Simeon. 34 And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Now this time will my husband be joined unto me, because I have born him three sons: therefore was his name called 10 Levi. 35 And she conceived again, and bare a son: and she said, Now will I praise the LORD: therefore she called his name 11 Judah: and 12 left bearing.

AND

CHAPTER XXX.

and

25

or

the tribe of Levi, the tribe of thy father, tribe of thy father, unto thee, and minister

that they may be joined unto thee. And they shall be joined unto thee, and keep the

charge of the tabernacle all the service of the tashall not come nigh

of the congregation, for

bernacle: and a stranger unto you. Numbers, 18, 2, 4.

11 That is, Praise.

12 stood from bearing. CHAP. 30.-B. C. 1749. a See chapter 29, 31. envied him, but this

in

fa

ther observed the saying. Genesis, 37, 11.

e For wrath killeth the foolish man, and envy

slayeth the silly one. Job, 5, 2.

Zilpah beareth Gad and Asher.

CHAP. 30.-B. C. 174: I wrestled with my sister, and I have prevailed: me from the deceitful and she called his name 4 Naphtali.

godly nation: O deliver and unjust man. Psalm 43, 1. O LORD, thou hast seen my wrong: judge

thou my cause. Lam

2 That is, Judging. 3 wrestlings of God.

Called Nephthalim, in Matthew, 4, 13.

9 When Leah saw that she had left bearing, she took Zilpah her maid, and gave her Jacob to wife. 10 And Zilpah, Leah's maid, bare Jacob a son. 11 And Leah said, A troop cometh: and she

4 That is, My wrestling. called his name 5 Gad.

5 That is, A troop, or, company.

6 In my happiness. k Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and

he praiseth her. Prov. the only one of her defiled is but one; she

31, 28. My dove, my un

is

mother, she is the choice one of her that

bare her. The daughters

her; yea, the queens saw her, and

and the concubines,

and they praised her. Song, 6, 9.

7 That is, Happy.

for thee, O my beloved.

12 And Zilpah, Leah's maid, bare Jacob a second son.

13 And Leah said, 6 Happy am I, for the daughters will call me blessed: and she called his name 7 Asher.

14 T And Reuben went in the days of wheat harvest, and found mandrakes 'in the field, and brought them unto his mother Leah. Then Rachel said to Leah, Give me, I pray thee, of thy son's mandrakes.

15 And she said unto her, " Is it a small matter that thou hast taken my husband? and wouldest thou take away my son's mandrakes also? And Rachel said, Therefore he shall lie with thee tonight for thy son's mandrakes.

aim's children of the the son of Manasseh

children also of Machir

were brought up upon Joseph's knees. Gen.

knees, prevent me? or

why the breasts that I should suck? Job, 3, 12.

g See Genesis, 16, 2.

1 be built by her.

ht And it came to pass,

when Israel dwelt in that land, that Reuben went and lay with

Bilhah his father's conit. Genesis, 35, 22. my God, according to

cubine: and Israel heard

i Judge me, O LORD

thy righteousness; and let them not rejoice over

me. Psalm 35, 24. Judge me, O God, and plead

8 And Rachel said, With great wrestlings have my cause against an unwards appropriated by the law to the priests: so that we may reasonably suppose, the patriarchs had some traditional or immediate intimations of the will of God in this particular.-S.

CHAP. XXIX. JACOB'S LOVE.-He served seven years for Rachel: if Rachel still continued to keep her father's sheep as she did, (v. 9,) his innocent and religious conversation with her, while they kept the flocks, could not but increase their mutual acquaintance and affection; (Solomon's song of love is a pastoral;) if she now left it off, his easing her of that care was very obliging. Jacob honestly served out his seven years, and did not forfeit his indentures, though he was old; nay, he served them cheerfully, they seemed to him but a few days, for the love he had to her. As if it was more his desire to earn her than to have her. Note, Love makes long and hard services short and easy; hence we read of the labour of love, Heb. 6, 10. If we know how to value the happiness of heaven, the sufferings of this present time will be as nothing to us, in comparison of it. An age of work will be but as a few days to those that love God, and long for Christ's appearing.-H. RETRIBUTION.-It is easy to observe here how Jacob was paid in his own coin. He had cheated his own father when he pretended to be Esau, and now his father-in-law cheated him. Herein, how unrighteous soever Laban was, the Lord was righteous; as Judg. 1, 7. Even the righteous, if they take a false step, are sometimes thus recompensed in the earth. Many that are not, like Jacob, disappointed in the person, soon find themselves, as much to their grief, disappointed in the character. The choice of that relation, therefore, on both sides, ought to be made with good advice and consideration, that if there should be a disappointment, it may not be aggravated by a consciousness of mismanagement. -H. POLYGAMY.-One sin is commonly the inlet of another. They that go in by one door of wickedness, seldom find the way out but by another. The polygamy of the patriarchs was, in some measure, excusable in them, because, though there was a reason against it as ancient as Adam's marriage, (Mal. 2, 15,) yet there was no express command against it; it was in them a sin of ignorance, it was not the product of any sinful lust, but for the building up of the church, which was the good that Providence brought out of it: but it will by no means justify the like practice now, when God's will is plainly made known, that one man and one woman only must be joined together, 1 Cor. 7, 2. The having of many wives suits well enough with the carnal sensual spirit of the Mahometan imposture, which allows it; but we have not so learned Christ. Dr. Lightfoot makes Leah and Rachel to be figures of the two churches, the Jews under the law, and the Gentiles under the gospel: the younger, the more beautiful, and more in the thoughts of Christ when he came in the form of a servant; but the other, like Leah, first embraced; yet, in this, the allegory does not hold, that the Gentiles, the younger, were more fruitful, Gal. 4, 27.-H.

RACHEL'S WEEK.-The language of the narration evidently determines, that Jacob waited till the seven years were expired before his marriage. This interpretation has indeed been objected to, both on account of Jacob's age, and also as not allowing time enough before he went to Egypt, for the several events which intervened: but the objection does not seem well grounded, nor the difficulty insurmountable. (Note, xlvi, 21.) The promise of an innumerable posterity was first given to Abraham; yet he was very old before he had any child, and a hundred years of age before Isaac was born. It was again made to Isaac, who

was childless till the age of sixty; and then it was ratified to Jacob, who did not marry till he was about eighty-three or four years old. These circumstances were suitable evidences or exercises of their faith: but it might be expected, that afterwards the progenitors of such a numerous posterity would marry and have children as soon as possible.-S.

PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS.-Ver. 16-35. Love, whatever be its object, is a most active and powerful principle; and not only engages a man in hard and difficult services, but even renders them delightful. If then the Lord possess our supreme love, we shall greatly delight in his commandments, and all other affections will be regulated and subordinated by it, and rendered lawful and useful: yet times may come, when we must, in the superiority of our love to him, be called to disregard our dearest friends, as if we hated them. But, on the other hand, if they have our supreme regard, we shall for their sakes despise and neglect the Lord. How often in providence are men reminded of their sin in their punishment, and corrected by others much worse than themselves! One cannot but lament to see Jacob cheated into polygamy, after living so many years unmarried; and indeed the malice and artifice of Satan are clearly discernible in the transaction. The Lord, however, so sets one thing against another, that there is less difference in the comparative happiness of mankind, than superficial observers imagine: and in the most ordinary circumstances of private life, his hand should be acknowledged; especially, when he relieves our distresses, and answers our prayers.-And let us always remember, that "children and the fruit of the womb are an heritage and gift that cometh of the Lord," and should be received as from his hand, and trained up for his service.-S.

CHAP. XXX. A CONJUGAL REBUKE.-It was a very grave and pious reply which Jacob gave to Rachel's peevish demand: Am I in God's stead? The Chaldee paraphrases it well, Dost thou ask sons of me? Oughtest thou not to ask them from before the Lord? The Arabic reads it, "Am I above God; can I give thee that which God denies thee?" This was said like a plain man. Observe, 1. He acknowledges the hand of God in the affliction which he was a sharer with her in. He hath withheld the fruit of the womb. Note, Whatever we want, it is God that withholds it, a sovereign Lord, most wise, holy, and just, that may do what he will with his own, and is debtor to no man; that never did, nor ever can do, any wrong to any of his creatures. The keys of the clouds, of the heart, of the grave, and of the womb, are four keys which God has in his hand, and which (the rabbins say) he trusts neither with angel nor seraphim. See Rev. 3, 7: Job, 11, 10; Job, 12, 14. 2. He acknowledges his own inability to alter what God had appointed, "Am I in God's stead? What! Dost thou make a God of me?" He to whom we offer supplications is to us a God. Note, There is no creature that is, or can be, to us, in God's stead. God may be to us instead of any creature, as the sun instead of the moon and stars; but the moon and all the stars will not be to us instead of the sun. No creature's wisdom, power, and love, will be to us instead of God's.-H.

MANDRAKES.-Reuben, a little lad, five or six years old, playing in the field, found mandrakes, dudaim. It is uncertain what they were, the critics are not agreed about them; we are sure they were some rarities, either fruits or flowers, that were very pleasant to the smell, Cant. 7, 13. Note, The God of nature has provided, not only for our necessities, but for our delights: there are products of the earth in the exposed fields, as well as in the planted, protected gardens, that are very valuable and useful. How plentifully is nature's