The stolen blessing: a domestic drama.-3. Isaac and Esau, or the hunter's lamentation.
I. Isaac's STARTLING DISCOVERY.
1. Unexpectedly made. The return of Esau from the hunting-field with a dish of venison was a sudden and most unpleasant revelation to the aged patriarch, showing that in some inexplicable manner he had been out-maneuvered, and, as it were, constrained against his will to bestow the blessing upon Jacob. So in common life it is not infrequently seen that the unexpected is that which happens, that wicked schemes prove abortive, that the deceiver is himself deceived—"the engineer hoist on his own petard,"—and that men are often made the involuntary and unconscious instruments of furthering the will of Heaven.
2. Tremblingly received. Apprehending what had taken place, the blind old invalid "feared a great fear exceedingly," saddened with an inward horror, not through disappointment at the failure of his scheme, or indignation at the wicked craft and heartless duplicity of Rebekah's favorite, but alarm at his own sinful intention which God had thus manifestly seen and thwarted. It is well when the soul trembles at a discovery of its own wickedness. Gracious souls dread nothing "Thy more than standing on the verge of sin."
3. Pathetically acknowledged. Thy brother came with subtlety, and hath taken away thy blessing;" and, "I have blessed him: yea, and he shall be blessed." It becomes parents to commiserate their children's misfortunes, and especially to sorrow if they miss the blessings of salvation. They who lack these, even when they do not wish to obtain them, are objects of profoundest pity.
4. Meekly acquiesced in. Recognizing the hand of God in the remarkable transaction in which he had been an actor, with true humility and faith the venerable patriarch bowed before the will of the Supreme. Neither Esau's prayers and tears, nor his own paternal affections, could stimulate so much as a wish to undo what had been done. To a truly pious heart the will of God is final. "Thy will be done" is the language of faith.
II. ESAU'S SINGULAR BEHAVIOUR.
1. His bitter lamentation for himself. Esau's "great and exceeding bitter cry" was expressive not of heartfelt grief for his sinful levity in parting with the birthright, or guileful behavior in attempting to secure the blessing; but
2. His wrathful indignation against his brother. "Is he not rightly named Jacob for he hath supplanted me these two times. A statement not quite accurate; but angry men are seldom remarkable for accuracy of statement; a statement also expressive of hatred against Jacob, and incensed brothers often call each other bad names. Good men should be angry and sin not. Indignation, even when righteous, should be restrained.
3. His tearful request to his father. "Bless me, me also, O my father!" Having lost the blessing of the covenant, he was still desirous of possessing some sort of blessing. Wicked men often covet the material advantages of religion who have no desire to share in its spiritual enrichments.
III. ISAAC'S SOLEMN DECLARATION.
1. Of Esau's subjection to Jacob. "Behold, I have made him thy lord." A prediction of
2. Of Esau's portion from God.
1. The blessing of the covenant is not of him that willeth or of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy.
2. Those who despise God's salvation in youth cannot always obtain it in manhood or age.
3. Those who finally come short of eternal life will have no one to blame but themselves.
4. No one need sue in vain for Heaven's favor, since the blessing is not now for one, but for all.
5. There is a difference between penitence and remorse.
6. Though no man can hope to change the mind of God, it is within the power of all men to desire and to effect a change upon their own hearts.
7. The prediction of a nation's or a person's future does not interfere with the free operation of the human will