it{ — - But, if you make light of God's promised blessings,
whatever may be the immediate means of your privation, you shall never enjoy them, nor ever so much as taste the banquet which your Lord and Saviour has prepared8.]
2. Those who desire the Birthright —
[Seek it in a humble simple dependence upon God. In this both Jacob and Rebekah failed : they could not leave God to accomplish his promises in his own time and way. Hence they resorted to such unworthy expedients. But as Abraham felt assured, that, though the promised seed should be slain and reduced to ashes, the promises should yet be verified in him, so should we expect assuredly the fulfilment of God's promises to us. Happy had it been for Jacob if he had thus believed: he might have enjoyed the birthright without any of the subsequent afflictions. Let us then guard against an unbelieving and impatient spirit. Let us commit our every concern to God, and expect, that in the mount of difficulty his interposition shall be seen. This is our wisdom and our happiness : for " His counsel shall stand, and he will do all his will," even though earth and hell should be confederate against him. Let us comply with that important precept, " He that believeth shall not make haste11," and we shall secure beyond the possibility of failure the blessing we seek after: for "he that believeth in God shall not be ashamed or confounded world without end."]
e ver. 38. with Heb. xii. 16, 17. f 1 Pet. i. 4, 5.
b Luke xiv. 18, 24. h Isai. xxviii. 16.