HOMILETICS. Vers. ~1:-46.-.The stolen b[e,Ssing: a domestic drama.-4. Rebekah and Esau, or fratruide frustrated. I. THE MURDEROUS DESIGN 01!' EsAu. 1. The oste:nsi.ble reason. "Beca11se of the blessing wherewith his father had blessed Jacob." No argument can jn'3iify wilful and deliberate homicide ; least of all an excuse so lame and feeble as that of Esau. The blessing Jacob had obtained was one which he himself had formerly despised and practically sold: If Jacub had been guilty of stealing it from hiiil, as he imagined, it was only what he ·had been attempting to do with reference to Jacob. Besides, in so far as the blessing was an object of desire to Esau, viz., for its material advantages, he had himself received a blessing not greatly dissimilar. There was therefore no sufficient cause for Esau's hostility towards his brother. 2. The impelling motive. "Hate "-the esseptial spirit of murder (Matt. v. 22; 1 John iiL 15). Esau's causeless hatred of Jacob was typical of the world's enmity against the Church: in its ground, the Church's enjoyment of the blessing ; in its spirit, bitter and implacable ; in its manifestation, persecution and oppression (1 John iiL 13). 3. .The decorous re,Straint. "The days of mourn- ing for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother." Wicked men who resist all the influences of piety are not always able to surmount the barriers of public opinion. Though Esau had no scruples on the score of conscience as to killing Jacob, he had some scruples on tbe ground of decency as to doing it while his father lived. Persons who have no religion not unfrequently do homage to the appearance of religion. 4. The providential discovery. Though Esau originally resolved on Jacob's murder in secret, he appears to have inadvertently disclosed his purpose to another, who forthwith communicated his intention to Rebekllh. Those who have secrets to keep should tell them to no one; but Divine providence has wisely and mercifully arranged that guilty secrets should be ill to keep. "Murder will out." 5. .The inglori,oWJ defeat. The information brought to Rebekah enabled her to counterwork Esau's design, and thus a second time was Esau outwitted by ll woman. It is obvioua that some sons are not so clever as their mothers. II. THE PRUDENT COUNSEL OF REDEKAH. 1. Hastily formed. The shrewd sagacity of Isaac's wife at once perceived an outlet from the snare. The woman's wit that had cheated Isaac was not likely to be baffled with blustering Esau. Calling Jacob from the herds, she told him of hie brother's murderous design, and detailed her own FJcheme for his protection. 2. Clearly explained. He should immediately betake himself to Haran, and seek shelter for a season beside his uncle Laban and his cousins. Though Rebekah does not mention the propriety of looking for e. wife, it is apparent that the possibility of Jacob'e finding one was present to her thoughts. 8. Skilfully urged. Arguments were not long in coming to Rebekah's aid. (1) His brother's anger would soon bum out. (2) His absence accordin~ly would not require to be long. (8) If he did not go he was certain to he killed, m which oase OB. XXV!ll. 1-9,j THE BOOK OF GENESiB.
Esnu would fall n victim to judicial retribution, and she, a heart-broken mother, would be deprived of both her sons in one day. (4) She was his mother, and her advice should be received with filial reverence and submission. 4. Adroiely carried th,,.ough. Securing her son's compliance, there was still the difficulty how to obtain the assent of Isaac. This she does by leading Isaac himself to suggest tho propriety of Jacob's going north to Padan-aram in BP,arch of a wife; and to this sho turns the thoughts of Isaac by expressing the hope that Jacob will not imitate his brother by marrying daughters of the land, a calamity, she informs her husband, which would render her ulready miserable life scarcely worth retaining. It was prudent in Rebekah to direct the mind of Isaac to the propriety of getting Jacob married, but there is not wanting a trace of that craftiness which was Rebekah's peculiar infirmity. Leam-1. That the world's hostility to the Church is wholly unreasonable and unjustifiable. 2. That wicked devices against God's people are sure eventually to be overturned. 3. That bad men sometimes wear a semblance of religion. 4. That good mothers grieve for the wickedness of bad, and work for the safety of good, sons. 5. That while wicked matches in their children are a burden to gracious parents, it should be a parent's aim to secure pious wives for their sons, and Chris- tian husbands for their daughters.
HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Ver. 46.-Rebekah, the disappointed. "What good shall my life do me? " Rebekah as a mother doubtless promised herself much joy in her children. They grew up. Esau becomes wayward, Jacob becomes a wanderer. Rebekah yielded to favourit- ism (ver. 13), and schemed to carry her point. She cherished a treacherous spirit, and led Jacob to ein. She was ambitious not for herself, but for Jacob. This is like woman ; she 1ives in others. She was reckless us to results, but when they came she found them bitter. " She loved Jacob more than truth, more than God." This was idolatry. No wonder she utters the exclamation, "What good shall my life do me ? " She was a disappointed woman. Her favourite son was in hiding from the wrnth of a wronged brother, and Esau was induferent towards her and angry. If life is not to be a disappointment we must beware of- L UNSCRUPULOUS SCHEMING. JI. AFFECTIONS TJIAT OARE MORE FOR HAPPINESS THAN HONOUR. III. OF IDOLATRY, COVETOUSNESS, AND NEGLECT OF Goo's CLAIMS. IV. OF IGNORING THE RIGHTS OF OTHERS. V. OF IGNORANCE AS TO THE TRUE ELEMENTS OF SUCCESS. Rebekuh began well. Her advent unto the encampment was o. "comfort " to Isnnc. She seems to have been "weary of life," and nsks "whut good it shall do her." Some who ask at this dny "whether life is worth living" may find n suggestion in Rebeknh's conduct ns to the reuson wherefore they nsk the question.-H.