Jacob and Esau
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sensibilities of the soul. If you tell them they cannot have Heaven, and
these hurtful indulgences, and that they should deny their appetites,
and cleanse themselves from all filthiness of the flesh, and the spirit,
perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord, they are offended, look
sorrowful, and conclude that if the way is so strait that they cannot
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indulge in their gross appetites, they will not walk any longer in it.
Especially will the corrupt passions control the mind of those who
value heaven of so little worth. Health will be sacrificed, the mental
faculties enfeebled, and heaven will be sold for these pleasures, as
Esau sold his birthright. Esau was a reckless person. He made a
solemn oath that Jacob should have his birthright. This case is left on
record as a warning to others. As Esau learned that Jacob had obtained
the blessing which would have belonged to him, had he not rashly
sold it, he was greatly distressed. He repented of his rash act, when
it was too late to remedy the matter. Thus will it be with sinners in
the day of God, who have bartered away their heirship to heaven for
selfish gratifications, and hurtful lusts. They will then find no place for
repentance, although they may seek it, like Esau, carefully and with
tears.
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
realized the deception that had been practiced upon him, and that Leah
had acted her part in deceiving him, he could not love Leah. Laban
wished to retain the faithful services of Jacob a greater length of time,
therefore deceived him by giving him Leah, instead of Rachel. Jacob
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reproved Laban for thus trifling with his affections, in giving him Leah,
whom he had not loved. Laban entreated Jacob not to put away Leah,
for this was considered a great disgrace, not only to the wife, but to
the whole family. Jacob was placed in a most trying position, but he
decided to still retain Leah, and also marry her sister. Leah was loved
in a much less degree than Rachel. Laban was selfish in his dealings
with Jacob. He only thought of advantaging himself by the faithful
labors of Jacob. He would have left the artful Laban long before, but
he was afraid of encountering Esau. He heard the complaint of Laban’s
sons, saying, “Jacob hath taken away all that was our father’s, and of
that which was our father’s hath he gotten all this glory. And Jacob