Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-11-09
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
JACOB DECEIvES HIS FATHER
Genesis, 27.1S-zs.
Golden Text-Speak ye the
truth each one with his neigh
bor-Ephesians. AS.
BY REV. HUGH T. STEVENSON.

By REV. HUGH 4. STEVENSON.
Last weeks lesson was in q meas
ure. a study OF the weaknesses OF
Esau. This week our attention is
focused upon the sins of the other
bother, Jacob. If the divine record
contained only the story Of how Isaac
was deceived by Jacob. with the aid
Of his mother. Rebekah, we might
well wonder how it was that Jacob
came to have such q place Of prorni-
nence in the history of his people. But
with all of the faults that we find in
Jacob in his early life we must admit
that he lived life Of spiritual prog
ress. With Esau just the reverse is
true. Endowed with natural talents.
with a pleasing personality, with the
promise of great heritage, this hairy
hunter and rover of the woods and
plains frittered away his opportuni-
ties. Gradually he sinks out of sight,
and it is significant that no one saw
fit to record his death. But Jacob.
Handicapped with faults of body.
| mind and soul, compared with his
| older brother, increases in stature,
and the close of his days finds him
| worthy descendant of Isaac and Abra-
| ham. -
AS the infirmities of years began to-
! wear heavily upon Isaac and as his
blindness increased lie began to think
of bestowing the family birthright
upon the elder son, Esau. This act
would relieve him of the actual lead
ership of the clan and would cast
the burden upon younger shoulders
more capable of carrying the load.
This leadership was not only in ma
terial matters. but also in spiritual
affairs.
1t is somewhat difficult to reconcile
the conflicting views concerning this
plan of the father. Some writers
hold that it is not at all probable that
Isaac knew anything concerning the
sale Of the birthright for a mess OF
pottage, nor of the divine promise that
1.-The elder should serve the younger"
Other authorities speak of Isaac's plan as
, being lin unaccountable and incoR-.
sstent contempt of Gods expressed
things had pointed out that Esau was
not to be the heir. Following out
this idea, they support it further by
concluding that Isaac shows undue
this time, for there were no signs
that he was about to die, and that
, he should cast his mantle upon his
son. At any rate. he lived forty
three years after the events of the
lesson.
| There is a similar difference of in
depreciation about the part of the
| veniSon in the plan of Isaac Dean
|
as an exponent of one view, speaks OF
the cheap, low form of blessing which
Isaac contemplated. 1t was to spring
from no prophetic vision or ecstasy.
but was to result mainly from the
physical stimulus of the fresh venison
and the wine. Similarly other writ
ers speak of Isaac as being a glutton
> and call it singular fact that he
before imparting to him great
spiritual blessing. On the other hand,
| it is pointed out that it was custo-
mary and natural, then as now, to
hold a great feast on sucn an oce
casion, even if Isaac could himself
: Feat only a very little of the veniSon-
f This event has been compared to the
coming of age festival among Eng
4 lish landowners or a wedding feast.
t 1t is quite easy to overlook the part
that Rebellah played in the deception
, of her husband. In the verses imme-
4 diately preceding the Sculpture laid
S down for our lesson study we read
v that it was Rebekah who overheard
Isaac telling Esau of his plan, and it
was Rebekah who proposed the plot
which was so successfully concluded
: And it was Rebekah who overcame the
objections of the fearful Jacob and who
promised to take upon herself the re
sponsioilities for their acts if be would
only obey. But, as is seen later, Jacob
was compelled to suffer his own punish
. ment; his mother could not suffer for
, his part.
Instead of the venison, Rebekah used
t two young kids from the flock of goats.
, When we remember the oriental custom
of saturating their favorite dishes with
spices, garlic, onions and then sharpen
ling them with vegetable acids or sweet
tening them with honey, we can under
stand how to a man of 1Saac'S ad-
, ivanced years it would be very difficult
to detect the deception. 1t was Re-
r bekah who brought Esau'S "goodly raj
l. L., 60. rsf 20 G
: probable that this was the official
: priestly garment which was always
q worn by the firSt-born. AS it was kept
with aromatic herbs and spices TO
e sweeten and preserve it, it was only
= NATURAL for Isaac to conclude that the
= wearer of this garment, with its well
e known fragrance, was Jacob. There
e was just one more step in Rebekah' s
plot In order that the hand of the
@ father might not identify Jacob cor
q rectly by his smooth skin. she placed
: upon his hands and his neck the skins
e of young goats. thus making him re-
:, semble the hairy Esau. 49,.
i Rebekab had planned well her scheme
4 and it succeeded in every detail. though
4 Isaac was in a measure suspicious or
+ Jacobs voice and the speed with which
his commands had been obeyed. But
!all of the evidence to the touch OF hiss
hand and the fragrance of the goodly
lraiment was sufficient to calm his sVs-
y blessing of the father. But in addition.
;, it required three direct lies upon tn"
4 part of Jacob. The most contemplate
= was the second There he couples Ms
: lie with a pious allusion to Jehovah.
Modern history finds his counterpart
:, in the German emperor. Probably the
!. world has loathed no phase of Hohen-
= zollern infamy more than the impudent
manner in which constant reference to
the God of all has been linked with foul
? deeds and shameful acts.
Shortly after, in comes Esau with
the real vension to claim his own But
lit was too late. The blessing having
!; been uttered, it could not be recalled
4 II he had been worthy Of his birthrigft,
= if he had developed his spiritual side.
: if he had not taken heather wives. We
: might have sympathy for Esau. but a.,
/, it was, we can only regard his fate as
. like those who, having rejected God. find
|, that their chance has gone, for God has
rejected them. Future lessons will show
us that Jacob did not go unpublished
and that he had to learn that what
soever man soweth. that shall he also
reap" 49,