McNairy County independent. (Selmer, McNairy County, Tenn.) 1902-1969, 1913-04-04
INTERNATIONAL
SUNDGSCHOOL
LESSON
ing Department The Moody Bible In
stitute of Chicago.)
LESSON FOR APRIL 6
JACOB ANS EsAu.

birthright are recorded in Chapter 2b,
and in chapter 81 we have presented
his great sin.
It 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 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 comforting thought to
US all. who are sinners saved by
grace"
I. 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
to the voice Of his unwise mother
who thought she knew best how to
circumvent Gods will; see CHI. 1928,
25, rs. This mothers foolish ambi-
ton and teaching had developed
self-seeking, deceitful son. BY nature
Jacob was unlovely and the greatest
lesson we can learn from his life Is
that he, a 'cheater," should by the
grace OF God be transformed into
Israel" a 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 rough man Of the
chase. cunning. clever and skillful as
a hunter. Jacob was q plain man.
viz, one who inclined to the conven-
tionalities. He loved settled, quiet
home life, for he "dwelt in tents"
Again when we consider the episode
OF the birthright we have set before
us another illustration Of the great
contrast of these brothers. We. DO
not value birthrights as do the Orien-
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 fippantly
spurns-"d espised'-h right. He
denied his responsibility to the I'll.
ture Of that race of whom Abraham
was the first, and virtually said that
nothing was Of value that did not
serve this present lifetime. Jacob.
on the other hand, estimated this
birthright at It's supreme value, as Of
the highest importance, but his man
ner of securing the same was the way
of the scheming, self-seeking world
1t was not Gods way.
From Bad Stock.
Subject as Jacob was to the rule Of
a seeking, scheming, mother, yet we
must remember that she, too, was
actuated by the same high estimate
of the value and the importance OF
the birthright. Her mean manner OF
seeking to accomplish her purpose
did not succeed. but, in fact. delayed
the desired end for Jacob had to fly
for his life. Let US look at Rebekah.
She came from the same stock as
Laban. who was fraud, cheat. and
a liar. She taught her SON to follow
those same methods and had to smart
for it, for she lost his companionship
through long years. and never saw
him again. Is 1t ever right to do
wrong? Gods word tells US mo- see
Rom. s:S. Rebekah was more con-
cerned with her partially than with
the purposes of God. (Ch. 2b:2s)
Jacobs conscience was aroused rs we
see from v. IL, though It was prob
ably not so much fear Of the error Of
the act, but rather fear Of being
caught. This we infer by the readi.
ness with which he stilled his con.
science, Wv. 10. IA Then to cover up
his deceit Jacob cloaked It under
pious fraud, v. 20. The meanest
fraud on this earth is the man who
hides his evil deeds behind the mask
Of assumed piety. The Savior's fierc:
est anathemas were directed against
the hypocrite. Attention has been
directed to Isaac In this instance.
that though he recognized the voice
as that Of Jacob. he allowed himself
to be governed by his feelings. v. ~,
and bestowed the blessing. rs he
thought, upon the wrong person.
Feelings, emotions. certainly have an
important place In our religious lives,
but not to the extent Of allowing
them to absolutely govern our &C.
lions. II we do. we will surely smart
for It. Conscience and the word Of
God will never lead US astray.
God would In his way and in his
own time have given Jacob the prom
Used blessing without the aid Of his
deceit. As It was Jacob engendered
his brothers hatred, was separated
from his home and endured multiplied
suffering.
Isaac's words OF prophecy w. 2s. 20
have literally been fulfilled though OF
course not in their largest and fullest
meanings. No one can read history
without being impressed with this
fact.
II. Esau's Sorrow, w. 30-34. Esau
had sold his birthright and sought to
regain It. Now he Is too late to 50
cure the blessing that should accom-
pany his birthright. The brothers
bartered for the birthright One
brother secured the blessing and with
Il. banishment The other brother
lost both birthright and blessing and
gave vent to bitter CRY. (Heb. II:
III Esau was himself to blame
what wrecked home partially