July 15

Genesis xxvii.—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 savory meat, and brought it unto his father; and said unto his father, Let my father arise and eat of his son's venison, that thy soul may bless me.

32. And Isaac his father said unto him, Who art thou? And he said, I am thy son, thy first-born, Esau.

33. And Isaac trembled very exceedingly, and said, Who? where is he that hath taken venison, and brought it me, and I have eaten of all before thou camest, and have blessed him? yea, and he shall be blessed.

34. And, when Esau heard the words of his father, he cried with a great and exceeding bitter cry, and said unto his father, Bless me, even me also, O my father!

35. And he said, Thy brother came with subtlety, and hath taken away thy blessing.

36. And he said, Is not he rightly named Jacob? for he hath supplanted me these two times: he took away my birth-right; and, behold, now he hath taken away my blessing. And he said, Hast thou not reserved a blessing for me?

37. And Isaac answered, and said unto Esau, Behold, I have made him thy lord, and all his brethren have I given to him for servants; and

with corn and wine have I sustained him: and what shall I do now unto thee, my son?

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.

39. And Isaac his father answered, and said unto him, Behold, thy dwelling shall be the fatness of the earth, and of the dew of heaven from above;

40. 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.

41. And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob.

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 arise, flee thou to Laban my brother, to Haran.

44. And tarry with him a few days, until thy brother's fury turn away;

45. Until thy brother's anger turn away from thee, and he forget that which thou hast done to him: then I will send, and fetch thee from thence. Why should I be deprived also of you both in one day?

In those early times, and especially in the families of the patriarchs, the parental blessing was believed to have the force of a prophecy. Esau, to be sure, had parted with his right to the blessing as the elder son, and his marriage to an idolater shewed that he was indifferent to the religious ties and hopes bound up in "the blessing of Abraham." The Scriptures speak of him as a "profane" or reckless person, deserving condemnation. Yet, when he saw what he had lost, he was filled with anguish, remorse, and rage, and begged and strove to recover a privilege that he had so lightly thrust away. What a

warning to youth not to trifle with mercies, which, once rejected, may never return!

Jacob received the promise of temporal abundance, of superiority among the nations, and of lordship over his brethren. These promises were fulfilled in the history of his descendants. The prediction concerning Esau, in verse 39, should read, "Thy dwelling shall be away from the fatness of the earth." He should lead a roving, warlike life, alternately in subjection and in revolt; and such has been the history of his posterity. The Bedouin of to-day fitly represents this "desert-ranger."

APPROPRIATE HYMNS.]

Prayer.

[Nos. 95, 103.

O Lord Jesus! we do hunger for thy Word; we do thirst for thy Spirit. Weak, empty, perishing, in ourselves, we cry unto thee for the bread of heaven, for the water of life. With longings for good that this world can never satisfy, we turn to thy fulness that we also may be filled. Confessing our folly in forsaking thee, mourning our sin in grieving thee, we come with broken and contrite hearts, and entreat thee to grant us forgiveness, comfort, and peace. Oh! strengthen us to resist temptation, to overcome evil, to renounce the world.

Most merciful God, who in Jesus Christ thy Son hast revealed thyself as our reconciling Father,

grant us grace, we beseech thee, to be followers of God as dear children. Have compassion, O Lord! upon the erring, the outcast, and the sorrowing; deliver the persecuted and the oppressed; have mercy upon all prisoners and captives. Grant us grace to endure with patience any trials and afflictions that may come upon us, and to conquer the world by faith. And do thou, O Lord! forgive our enemies, and forgive us as we forgive them. O Lord our Preserver, who hast kept us through the perils of the night! keep us from evil this day and always; and finally bring us unto thy heavenly kingdom, through Jesus Christ, our Mediator and Redeemer. Amen.