Semi-weekly Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1897-1901, 1901-10-18
EPWORTH LEAGUE.
Tonic For the Week beginning Oct
20, - Bad nnrGnin"-Text'
Gen. XIV, 40-t4.

"IIe sold his birthright unto JACOB.
! Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pot
tage of lentils."
/ 1t was bad business all around-cov-
etousncss and craft Oh the part OIL
jacob: irreverence and anger on the
part of Esau. Both parties to the
transaction were wrong; both paid TOO
dearly for what they got Jacob got
birthright and blessing, which should
naturally have given him sheikship oil
the tribe and the larger share OF his
fathers goods. These were of little
value after he had got them, since he
was Il fugitive from home for long
wears of exile and worked hard Tor
cattle and possessions, so that when
he and Esau met in manhood he made
princely present to his brother and
meekly took the place OF younger
brother. Hardship and fear had hum
bled him. His desire for Gods pres
ence and blessings was gratifed, but
not In any measure that we can dis
cover did it depend on birthright, bless
ing or bargain with his brother.
Esau is called profane person in
the book of Hebrews. Perhaps the
word irreverent more exactly expresses
the trait of character most prominent
in his part of this transaction and In
the other incidents we have of his life.
His life in the desert as hunter was
not of necessity less worthy than that
of Jacob, who lived among the tents
and sheep. But it followed as matter
of course that lie would have less re-
gard for the affairs of the tribe alsi
value too lightly the privileges and
obligations that came with birthright.
He was hungry Jacobs cooking only
made his hunger greater He asked
for some of the food. Common cour-
tesy demanded that Jacob give ii, but
there appears an utter lack of that
quick sympathy and close companion
ship usually seen between brothers,
especially twin brothers. What made
Jacob think of brthright at that time!
Had they discussed the matter before,
and had it seemed cruel TO Jacob that
the difference In twin birth should
make such a difference in family
rights? Had Esau shown contempt for
his superior position and disregard for
its obligations? Did Jacob know that
Esau put little or no value on such
things: Did he not know all this well!
And was there not also In his soul
deep reverence for godly things and
faith in the God of his fathers which
made him prize headship in the fam
lily for the religious part of its duties
more than for all else? The clew 10
All the story is seen in the differences
In after life Of the two men.
Jacob is faulty but he is an earnest
seeker after God. He does many
things which look bad in the light Of
our later centuries. but he was ever
religious man and far in advance Of his
times.
Esau exhibits no marks Of piety. He
is hungry. He will sell his birthright
for a mess of soup with as little care
as he would swap weapon or his
game He follows his appetite. Mo
rality and piety are little in his line.
What are you getting in lifeE 1t is
a bad thing TO go through this world
with an appetite only for its pottage
and venson. There are affairs. and
sacrifice. and visions, ard wrestlings'
and vows and divine revealngs. Be
sure that in your bargaining you get
some of these. But be sure also that
you do not cheat your brother In try
ing 10 secure Gods favor.