Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1918-10-31

LESSON TEAI-GeneS1S EC:Zl-34
GOLDEN TExT-Every man that striv-
eth for the mastery Is temperate in all |
things. Now they do it to obtain a cor
ruptible crown, but we an incorruptible.-
Corinthians 9:25.
DEVOTIONAL READING-Romans IA:
1873. 81
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL FOR
,TEACHERS-I Corinthians lS:1-13; 10:2s-33:
Hebrews 12:15-17.
I. Boys With Difference ". 27.
Esau and Jacob were in decided con-
trast. They differed in appearance
and disposition. Esau was cunning
hunter, man of the field. Jacob was
q plain man, dwelling in tents. They
were born that way. Every child born
into the world possesses peculiar
bent which we call indi iduality. No
two are exactly alike, even twins like
Esau and Jacob. The wise parent,
the wide-awake teacher, the educator.
seeks diligently to discover that Pc
culiar individuality, and to give it d.
rection according to the laws Of its
own being. This bent is the basis Of
character. Neither Esau nor Jacob
is an ideal personality. Both are
selfish.
II. Parental Favoritism ". 2S).
Isaac loved Esau because he did
eat Of his venison. He ought to have
loved him because he was his son:
but it is sad commentary upon ia
Their that his love for his Son had such
sordid basis as that of his stomach.
Isaac, however, was like many today
whose love is secured through their ap-
petites. Rebecca loved Jacob, though
we are not told why. Perhaps it was
because of his cunning. In this re-
spect he was like his mother, who
practiced craftiness to finish on her
husband. Cleverness is bond which
strongl- binds together many people.
Many hold the respect Of their friends
because of their shrewdness, irrespec.
tive Of their moral qualities. Parents
should treat their children alike. To
show partially is both unwise and
unjust. Even when children possess
peculiar qualities which call forth pa
rental affection, it should never be made
manifest that preference is made.
III. A Birthright Sold wv. 29-34).
1. Esau's profanity (Heb. 12:16-17).
He sold his birthright for bowl
of pottage. The birthright was the
right of being at the head of the patri-
archal family, position of honor and
or Of double portion of the fathers
estate. This being q gift of God
should not be despised. He came from
hunting physically exhausted. In this
moment of distress, he thought only
of that which promised Immediate sat
isfaction. He was willing to relin-
quish all claim upon the future, If
only his present desire could be graft.
fed. A profane person is one who
for the enjoyment of the present will
forfeit all claim upon the future. He
sould gladly gain both worlds, but
seeing that mess of pottage he lets &C
of the future for the present. Swear
ing is profanity, but not the most com
mon. To be under the sway of appe
tite is to be profane. What profan
ity about us! For moments sin
full pleasure men and women are
throwing away innocence, happiness
and their souls eternally. This /.
most serious, for acts are irrevocable
q Jacobs cunning. 1t was right thai
Jacob should have the birthright, fol
1t was according to Gods plan which
had been pronounced ". 23), but hi.
scheme to get it is to be condemned
He took advantage Of his brother'
weakness to drive sharp bargain
The same thing is practiced when I'm
der the force of necessity unlawful in
terest is exacted, or property is bongh
under price because one is obliged t,
sell.
To get rich at the expense of anoth
er is to practice Jacobs sin. Moderl
competitive business methods to dc
cided extent are Of this type. Let eacl
one ask: 'Is my name Jacob?" TIL
end never justif1es the means. CO.
said that the elder should serve tn
younger. It was his plan that Jaco
should be at the head, but God wa
able to bring his own plans to pass
He did. not need the scheming Of Js
cob and his mother to further hi
plans. To do evil that good may com
is always wrong.
T. Z