The Yale expositor., 1913-04-03
INTERNATIONAL
SUNMS(nOOl
LESSON
LESSON FOR APRIL 6
JACOB AND EsAu.
by Y. o. SELLERS. Director OF Even.
ing Department The Moody Bible In
stitute OF Chicago.)

| for him." lisa. D:lS.
Jacob is one OF the great figures
presented to us in the book OF Gene
sis. His birth and purchase OF the
birthright are recorded in Chapter %,
and in chapter '27 we have presented
his great sin.
1t is absolutely necessary to read
carefully all OF this chapter before we
can properly present this lesson
Moses did not record Jacobs decep-
ton because he commended 1t, but
rather as a warning to all who read
and ponder thereon. The Bible
spreads before us the sins Of Gods
people as we'll as their virtues, which
ought to be a comforting thought TO
US all. who are sinners saved by
grace"
l. The Deceit, w. 22-2s. Lying, du'
plicity, profanity, and compounded
felony, are presented in the prelimi-
nary verses to that section selected
for our study. Jacobs conscience re-
belled ". 12), yet he gladly listened
70 the voice of his unwiSe mother
who thought she knew best how to
circumvent Gods will; see CHI. 1898.
Is. 2S. This mothers foolish ambi'
ton and teaching had developed a
self-seeking, deceitful son. BY nature
Jacob was unlovely and the greatest
lesson we can learn from his lie is
that he, a 'cheater," should by me
grace of God be transformed into
Israel" prince, he that hath power
with God.
A Rough Man.
We first have presented the tenn
peramental difference between these
two brothers, then the story OF the
birthright. and lastly the stolen bless
Ing. Esau was a rough man OF the
chase. cunning. clever and skillful as
hunter. Jacob was a plain man
viz, one who inclined to the conven'
tionalities. He loved settled, quiet
home life. for he "dwelt in tents. y
Again when we consider the episode
Of the birthright we have set before
us another illustration of the great
contrast OF these brothers. We dc
not value birthrights as do the Orlen'
tails. and further. we must remember
this IS the story Of Gods develop
ment of a chosen race. Esau, mas
tered by his appetite. governed by
selfish instincts, gladly and tilppantly
s-"despised"-hi right. Fla
denied his responsibility to tho fu
ture of that race OF whom Abraham
was the first. and virtually said thai
nothing was of value that did moi
serve this present lifetime. Jacob
on the other hand. estimated TIL:
birthright at its supreme value. IS o
the highest importance.
From Bad Stock.
Subject as Jacob was to the rule o
a seeking, scheming. mother, yet W.
must remember that she, too, wa
actuated by the same high estimate
of the value and the importance o
the birthrlght Her mean manner o
seeking to accomplish her purpose
did not succeed, but, in fact, delayed
the desired end FOR Jacob had to Il!
for his life. Let rs look at Rebekah
She came from the same stock a
Iaban, who was fraud, cheat. ant
a liar. She taught her son to follow
those same methods and had to smar
for it. for she lost his companionshil
through long years. and never say
| him again. Is IL ever right TO d.
/ wrong? Gods word tells rs no. Sc
, Rom. S:S. Rebekah was more cor
, cerned with her Partially than Wit
= the purposes OF God. (Ch. 25:2S
Jacobs conscience was aroused as "
] see from v. 12, though IL was prot
ably not so much fear OF the error O
the act, but rather fear of be!n
: caught.
: Cod would in his way and In hi
, own time have given Jacob the prom
ised blessing without the aid of hi
4 deceit. AS 1t was Jacob engendere
= his brothers. hatred. was separate
from his home and endured multiple
suffering.
( Ii. Esau's Sorrow, w. 1884 Esa
+ had sold his birthright and sought {
e regain It, Now he is too late to 81
e cure the blessing that should accom-
pany his birthright. The brother
bartered for the birthright. On
i | brother secured Tue DlCSbiiiS anu WI
n II. Punishment The other brothe
= lost both birthrigbt ara blessing ar
!, gave vent to a bitter cry. (Heb ~
b 10 Esau was himself to blan'
!. What a wrecked home partialit
and deceit brought forth. Rebekah
{ anticipation ". 45) was never fu
G filled and her conduct with that {
4 Jacob we'll deserves the censure an
=. the punishment inflicted.
Because tho Bible records no wor
of censure some have asserted tht
\. Cod approved of Jacobs course. Eve
n casual reading of his life. of its d
3 lays. its disappointments and its mi
Il fortunes. reveals Gods vindication {
,. the moral law and that retributio
!. follows wrong. AS much as we syn
a psthize with Esau we are compelle
u to acknowledge that Jacob was III
I otter man of the two. He was ten
IL cious, self-reliant, constant in his a
n fections, devoted TO the covenant I
Il God and sensitive to spiritual inf