Page images
PDF
EPUB

indeed, deep, and pungent; but he could not effect repentance, or a change of mind in his father. What Isaac had done, moved by the Spirit of God, he recognised as right, and immutable.

This whole transaction has been a subject of much remark, and discussion. The forfeiture on the part of Esau is clear. This the language of scripture recognises. It is recorded as his condemnation, and disgrace, that he sold his birthright for "a morsel of meat." He yielded to the importunity of his appetite for gratification by a delicious, and alluring meal. He may have felt the cravings of hunger, but that he was in danger of death by starvation, if the desired food had not been given, is an idle, and incredible allegation. This was not the only relief from hunger which the house of Isaac could afford. A little patience, and effort could have otherwise obtained it. It was the eagerness of impatient desire which betrayed him into this profane and dearly bought gratification. This is often the fact with drunkards, and other sensualists, who prefer death, and damnation to the manly, and virtuous self-denial which would have avoided the evil. Of this Jacob must have been aware; and though it may have been unkind in him to take this advantage of his brother's impetuous, and inordinate desire for sensual gratification; yet that his life depended on it, he could not believe; and if Esau was willing to make the bad bargain, the value of the benefit was a strong temptation to Jacob to avail himself of the opportunity of securing it. The means by which Jacob, and his mother obtained the confirmation of this bargain, and sale, were not open, and fair; especially as deception, and falsehood were employed, and an ungenerous advantage was taken of the blindness of a venerable husband, and parent. Jacob had acquired a title to the birthright. Rachel knew that fact, and Isaac might with propriety, and with a knowledge of the facts, ought, in justice, to have confirmed it voluntarily. Why then did they not endeavor to influence Isaac by a knowledge of those facts, and an appeal to the right which Jacob had acquired? They knew the father's partiality for Esau, and that he would not be induced to do it. Hence, by means which are not praise

worthy, they deceived him into the doing of that which was right to be done, and thus secured to Jacob that which belonged to him by deliberate contract. Though the sacred historian does not, expressly, censure this transaction; yet this does not imply its full vindication, nor forbid us to notice, and disapprove of what is wrong.

We had occasion, on another subject, to advert to the absolute, and controlling dominion of God over all creatures, and over all events. It was the divine purpose that Jacob should have the birthright. For permitting the fulfilment of this purpose by the means employed, there were reasons worthy of his infinite holiness, and wisdom. So it was in the case of the death of Christ, and in bringing about the intended results. In neither case did he inspire, or approve the unholy deeds, and designs of the perpetrators. They acted freely, and sinfully, from the promptings and purposes of their own hearts. God for wise reasons permitted them to do so; and by them accomplished his own sovereign and righteous designs. "He maketh the wrath of man to praise him." "There are many devices in the hearts of men; but the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand." In the history of Isaac, there is another fact deserving of special notice: The prophetic gift which he exercised in announcing to both his sons, respectively, the allotment of their posterity, and the peculiar blessings had in reserve for them. To Jacob he said, "God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and. plenty of corn, and wine: Let people serve thee, and nations bow down to thee: be lord over thy brethren, and let thy mother's sons bow down to thee: cursed be every one that curseth thee, and blessed be he that blesseth thee." To Esau he said, "Behold, thy dwelling shall be the fatness of the earth, and the dew of heaven from above and by thy sword shalt thou live, and shalt serve thy brother; and it shall come to pass when thou shalt have the dominion, that thou shalt break his yoke from off thy neck."

:

One hundred and fourscore years were the measure of the eventful life of Isaac. The record of it, though brief, contains an inexhaustible fund of instruction. His errors we are to avoid :

his meekness, patience, love of peace, faith, and good deeds we are to imitate, that we may be useful on earth, leave an honorable memorial, and in heaven inherit the promises, in the enjoyment of God, with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and all who through faith, and patience find acceptance, and salvation.

As to the special circumstances of the death of Isaac, we are not informed. The brief, and simple record is, Gen. 35:28, 29: "And the days of Isaac were an hundred, and fourscore years. And Isaac gave up the ghost, and died, and was gathered unto his people, being old, and full of days; and his sons Esau and Jacob buried him."

INFERENCES.

1st. Faith, and obedience God will honor, and graciously reward. His knowledge, truth, faithfulness, and power are the grounds, and reasons of faith. Reliance on these honors God. And this confidence he will regard and honor. "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee." Obedience is a practical acknowledgment of the divine authority, that God has a right to govern, and that his laws are "holy, just, and good." His faithful subjects he will defend, and reward. "In keeping his commandments there is great reward." "It shall be well with the righteous."

2d. No merely human character is perfect. Such is the testimony of God's word. "There is not a just man upon earth, who liveth, and sinneth not." The experience, and confessions of the most eminently pious are illustrations, and proofs of this fact. Ignorance of themselves, of God, and of the spirituality and perfection of the divine law, may cherish self-righteous pride, and leave men to think themselves "rich, and increased in goods, and having need of nothing;" but the teachings of God's spirit abase this pride, and make them feel that they "are, altogether, as an unclean thing, and even their righteousness as filthy rags." Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and Paul were not examples of sinless perfection, and were very far from accounting themselves so. They felt and confessed what their lives proved,

66

that they had not attained, nor were already perfect;" that without divine support they could not stand; and that without abounding grace they could not be saved. He who thinks that he is good enough, has no true goodness at all.

3d. Christ was the antitype of Isaac, the perfect example, the real, and only atoning sacrifice, "the seed in whom all nations of the earth are blessed." On the cross he triumphantly pronounced, "It is finished." Types, and ceremonies have now their completion. There needs not, and there must not be, any more sacrifices for sin. The redemption is accomplished. The "law is magnified, and made honorable, and everlasting righteousness brought in." By Christ all who believe are justified from all things, from which they could not be justified by the law of Moses.

SERMON XI.

CHARACTER, AND CONDITION OF JACOB.

GENESIS, XXV, 27.-Jacob was a plain man, dwelling in tents.

THE variety, differing dispositions, characters, and pursuits of men is a fact notorious, and indisputable. It is necessary. The world of mankind, like the human body, is made up of very many parts distinct from each other, and different in their character, and uses. In every community of men, the variety of choice, inclinations, and employments necessary to complete the system are undefinable, and almost innumerable. The utility, and necessity are obvious, and undeniable. That there could be no such system as the human body if all were head, or feet, or hands is not more evident, than that communities of men could have no existence, if all possessed, in common, the same talents, taste, choice of objects, and of active operations. Diversity is necessary, has always been, and ever will be so long as this world lasts. That all men are equal as to their rights of self-employment, and pursuit of happiness is true; but that an equality of talent, and of worldly condition can exist is impracticable notwithstanding the Utopian theories, and dreams of socialism.

There are, indeed, some classes of character, and employments which the world could well spare; like the peccant humors, and unnatural excrescences of the human body. These are incidental evils resulting from the present unhealthful moral nature of man; and they are the proper objects of control, purgation, and excision. But the community of men, in its best estate, and were it morally perfect, necessarily requires an undefinable variety of talent, propensity, and practical operation. In man's condition this is the fact; and is, no doubt, the will, and wise ordination of God. How, under his providence this variety is pro

« PreviousContinue »