Page 74 - The Story of Redemption (1947)

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The Story of Redemption
younger,” and she knew that Esau had lightly regarded his birthright
and sold it to Jacob. She persuaded Jacob to deceive his father and
by fraud receive the blessing of his father, which she thought could
not be obtained in any other way. Jacob was at first unwilling to
practice this deception, but finally consented to his mother’s plans.
Rebekah was acquainted with Isaac’s partiality for Esau, and
was satisfied that reasoning would not change his purpose. Instead
of trusting in God, the Disposer of events, she manifested her lack
of faith by persuading Jacob to deceive his father. Jacob’s course in
this was not approbated by God. Rebekah and Jacob should have
waited for God to bring about His own purposes in His own way,
and in His own time, instead of trying to bring about the foretold
events by the aid of deception.
If Esau had received the blessing of his father, which was be-
stowed upon the first-born, his prosperity could have come from God
alone; and He would have blessed him with prosperity, or brought
upon him adversity, according to his course of action. If he should
love and reverence God, like righteous Abel, he would be accepted
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and blessed of God. If, like wicked Cain, he had no respect for God
nor for His commandments, but followed his own corrupt course, he
would not receive a blessing from God but would be rejected of God,
as was Cain. If Jacob’s course should be righteous, if he should love
and fear God, he would be blessed of God, and the prospering hand
of God would be with him, even if he did not obtain the blessings
and privileges generally bestowed upon the first-born.
Jacob’s Years of Exile
Rebekah repented in bitterness for the wrong counsel which
she gave to Jacob, for it was the means of separating him from her
forever. He was compelled to flee for his life from the wrath of Esau,
and his mother never saw his face again. Isaac lived many years
after he gave Jacob the blessing, and was convinced, by the course
of Esau and Jacob, that the blessing rightly belonged to Jacob.
Jacob was not happy in his marriage relation, although his wives
were sisters. He formed the marriage contract with Laban for his
daughter Rachel, whom he loved. After he had served seven years
for Rachel, Laban deceived him and gave him Leah. When Jacob