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infirm and blind, the kind attentions of this long-absent son were a
comfort during years of loneliness and bereavement.
Jacob and Esau met at the deathbed of their father. Once the elder
brother had looked forward to this event as an opportunity for revenge,
but his feelings had since greatly changed. And Jacob, well content
with the spiritual blessings of the birthright, resigned to the elder
brother the inheritance of their father’s wealth—the only inheritance
that Esau sought or valued. They were no longer estranged by jealousy
or hatred, yet they parted, Esau removing to Mount Seir. God, who
is rich in blessing, had granted to Jacob worldly wealth, in addition
to the higher good that he had sought. The possessions of the two
brothers “were more than that they might dwell together; and the land
wherein they were strangers could not bear them because of their
cattle.” This separation was in accordance with the divine purpose
concerning Jacob. Since the brothers differed so greatly in regard to
religious faith, it was better for them to dwell apart.
Esau and Jacob had alike been instructed in the knowledge of God,
and both were free to walk in His commandments and to receive His
favor; but they had not both chosen to do this. The two brothers had
walked in different ways, and their paths would continue to diverge
more and more widely.
There was no arbitrary choice on the part of God by which Esau
was shut out from the blessings of salvation. The gifts of His grace
through Christ are free to all. There is no election but one’s own by
which any may perish. God has set forth in His word the conditions
upon which every soul will be elected to eternal life—obedience to His
commandments, through faith in Christ. God has elected a character
in harmony with His law, and anyone who shall reach the standard
of His requirement will have an entrance into the kingdom of glory.
Christ Himself said, “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life:
and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life.”
John 3:36
. “Not
everyone that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom
of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven.”
Matthew 7:21
. And in the Revelation He declares, “Blessed are they
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that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life,
and may enter in through the gates into the city.”
Revelation 22:14
. As
regards man’s final salvation, this is the only election brought to view
in the word of God.