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sons of Heth: there was Abraham buried, and Sarah his wife.

And it came to pass after the death of Abraham, that God blessed his son Isaac, applying and confirming to him the promises made to Abraham; and Isaac dwelt by the well Lahairoi; near the place where the Lord appeared to Hagar when she fled from Sarah.

Now these [are] the generations of Ishmael, Abraham's son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah's handmaid, bare un13 to Abraham: And these [are] the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their names, according to their generations: the firstborn of Ishmael, Nebajoth; and Kedar,† and Adbeel, 14 and Mibsam, And Mishma, and Dumah, from whom came the 15 Idumeans, and Massa, Hadar, and Tema, from whom Eliphaz, 16 Job's friend, came, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah: These

[are] the sons of Ishmael, and these [are] their names, by their towns, and by their castles; twelve princes according to 17 their nations. And these [are] the years of the life of Ishmael, an hundred and thirty and seven years; and he gave up the ghost and died; and was gathered unto his people. 18 And they, Ishmael's sons, dwelt from Havilah unto Shur, that [is] before Egypt, as thou goest toward Assyria, almost across the north part of Arabia: [and] he died in the presence of all his brethren; the original is, he fell, that is, his lot fell, in the midst of his brethren, as the angel foretold to Hagar.

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REFLECTIONS.

HE death of Abraham may convince us of a future state. He was an eminently pious and good man; a friend of God, and his peculiar favourite; and, according to our Lord's reasoning, the covenant made with him extended to spiritual and eternal blessings. When God promised that he would be a God to Abraham, it intimated, that he was to live for ever in a future state; and that both soul and body were to be happy there. We can never think that so good a man as Abraham was lost in the cave; no; his desire to be buried there, spoke his hope and expectation, not only that his seed should possess the earthly Canaan, but that he should possess an heavenly one. So Paul interprets it, of seeking a better country, that is, an heavenly. The faith of this patriarch was remarkable; he looked to things unseen and eternal; and firmly believed that God had provided for him a better city. His removal from this world, after so many appearances of God to him and for him, after the

Hence Arabia is often called by the ancients, Nabatea.

† Another part of Arabia; and hence we read of dwelling in the tents of Kedar. Twelve heads of houses or tribes; and they continued so till near four hundred years after Christ. Thus the promise made to Hagar, that her seed should not be numbered for multitude, was fulfilled.

covenant so firmly established, and so many promises made, lead us to conclude, that he went to dwell with God, in that state where all his pious servants shall be happy with him, and where he was gathered to his own people. Let us firmly believe in a future state, which is so much more clearly revealed in the gospel, and give all diligence to prepare for it. It is called Abraham's bosom, because he was so intimate a friend of the most High, and therefore admitted to peculiar nearness to God; and our Lord teils us, that many shall come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of their heavenly Father.

2. We learn that there is very little in worldly grandeur. Isaac lived obscurely in tents, a solitary pastoral life, and yet was the friend of God and the heir of heaven; while Ishmael had a large and spacious country, numerous descendants, towns and castles, and his sons were all princes. One would be ready to conclude, Surely this is the heir of the promise. But when we judge by appearance, we generally judge falsely; not many wise, not many noble and mighty are called. It is so now: the best men often fare worst as to temporal things. It was so formerly, under a more equal providence! no wonder it should be so now, when we are called to live by faith and not by sight; and are to wait for our good things till hereafter. While Ishmael was so great, and made such a figure among the nations, Isaac and his family were little, and lived retired and obscure; but yet, to him were the best blessings promised; in his seed was the covenant established; while Ishmael, with all his wealth and power, was a stranger to the covenant of promise. Thus many, even now, have their riches and honours, while they are enemies of God and children of disobedience. On the contrary, holy souls, who live in retirement, in order that they may converse with God and their own hearts, have most ease and comfort; and the thoughts of having God for their God, is a noble source of joy, and a spring of unutterable delight. Shall we then foolishly choose or wish for our portion to be among the princes and lords of the earth, and envy their grandeur and power, when we see that those are happiest who want these things? Shall we seek to be rich and great, when so many better blessings are promised to us? Let us not act so stupid a part; but seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and other things, all other important blessings shall be added to us: that, like Isaac, we may dwell comfortably in the communion of God's church and people, and be preparing for the heavenly Canaan, where Isaac has his residence, and all the holy people of old their eternal dwelling.

CHAP. XXV. 19, to the end.

Contains an account of the birth and character of Isaac's sons; and of Esau selling his birthright to Jacob.

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ND these [are] the generations of Isaac, Abraham's son: Abraham begat Isaac: And Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah to wife, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Padanaram, the sister to Laban the Syrian.

And Isaac entreated, prayed fervently and continually, for near twenty years together, to the LORD for his wife, because she [was] barren; and the LORD was entreated of him, and 22 Rebekah his wife conceived. And the children, in an unusual and painful manner, struggled together within her; a presage of the enmity which would subsist between their posterity: and she said, If [it be] so, why [am] I thus? if God hath answered our prayers, why am I in danger of death: why did I con23 ceive, if I cannot be delivered? And she went to inquire of the LORD, by solemn prayer, and other acts of devotion. And the LORD said unto her, Two heads of nations [are] in thy womb; two children, different in their bodily constitution, in their temper of mind, in their course of action, and the practice of religion; and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels, the Edomites and the Israelites; and [the one] people shall be stronger than [the other] people, the Edomites shall be stronger than the Israelites for a time, but afterward it shall be otherwise; and the elder shall serve the younger. This was fulfilled in David's time, when the descendants of Esau were conquered.

24 And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, 25 [there were] twins in her womb. And the first came out red, all over like an hairy garment, a strong full grown child; and they called his name Esau, which signifies perfected, being of a more strong and perfect natural constitution, than other chil26 dren usually are; and hairy, like a man full grown. And af

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ter that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau's heel, as if he would draw him back, that he might be born first ; and his name was called Jacob, which signifies a supplanter; a divine presage of what would afterward come to pass Isaac [was] threescore years old when she bare them.

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And the boys grew and Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field, spending most of his time abroad in the fields, in hunting and the like exercises; and Jacob [was] a plain man, dwelling in tents; keeping at home, and minding household 28 affairs, and the herds and flocks of his father. And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of [his] venison, and considered the presents he brought him as tokens of respect: but Rebekah loved Jacob, because of his more mild and gentle temper, his

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And Jacob sod pottage, had prepared some rich broth or soup: and Esau came from the field, and he [was] faint, being fatigued with 30 his exercise: And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red [pottage ;*] for I [am] faint: therefore 31 was his name called Edom, that is, red. And Jacob, taking advantage of his brother's nicety and hasty temper, said, Sell 52 me this day, speedily without delay, thy birthright. And Esau said, Behold, I [am] at the point to die, always in danger of my life and what profit shall this birthright do to me 33 when I am dead? I care nothing for it. And Jacob said, Swear to me this day: and he, being a profane man, and not regarding an oath, sware unto him: and he sold his birthright 34 unto Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way, without showing any remorse or sorrow for his profane bargain, for his ingratitude to God, or the injury he had done himself and all his posterity: preferring the present and momentary gratification of his appetite before his father's blessing, and all the privileges of the birthright; thus Esau despised [his] birthright.

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REFLECTIONS.

ET us seek the blessing and counsel of God in all our affairs. These good men of old were men of prayer; they lived near to God, and conversed much with him. Let us emulate their piety, and, in every time of difficulty, seek the Lord; so Isaac did, for his wife and with her, as the word might be rendered. God is capable of giving those blessings which seem most unlikely, Let us pray in faith; waiting for the accomplishment of our desire, though it should be long delayed, God promised Isaac a numerous offspring, yet he prayed, God's promises are designed to encourage, and not to supersede our prayers; for this will I be sought unto, to do it for them, saith the Lord. Isaac prayed for near twenty years, before he was answered. Thus men ought always to pray and not to faint, being assured that God will at length be the rewarder of all them that diligently seek him. Let us thus ask that we may receive, and seek that we may find, in every affair of doubt and uncertainty. Let us in

Perhaps it was tinctured red by saffron, or some other herbs or spices; and so of an agreeable flavour and smell. Fed me with that red red, for I am faint. The word red is repeated in the original; which showed his extreme faintness, and the impatience of his appetite. Edit.

Several privileges attended this, as for instance, a double portion of the father's goods; greater authority and dignity in the family; and probably some spiritual blessings. particularly the conducting of religious services, and instructing the younger branches of it.

In the whole of this, Jacob was highly to blame, and did not act that plain and onourable part he ought to have done; he took an unfair advantage, and hurried on an unfair bargain.

quire of the Lord, as Rebekah did: and though we have no Shekinah, or visible appearance of God among us, and though dreams and visions are not to be expected, yet by his secret influences God can show us the path of life, and lead us in the right way to a city of habitation. If in all our ways we acknowledge him, he will direct our paths. He hath astonishing and unexpected methods in the course of his providence to show us our duty. Let us, therefore wait on him continually. This will be a present ease and satisfaction to the mind, amidst ten thousand uneasy struggles, and is the likeliest way to have success. The success that Isaac found in his prayer, and the answer Rebekah received to her inquiry, should teach us to be careful for nothing, that is, not to be immoderately anxious about any event, but by prayer and thanksgiving make known our requests unto God.

2. Let us learn, from the example of Esau, not to indulge sensual appetites and passions, and despise our spiritual birthright. This is Paul's reflection in Heb. xii. 16. lest there be any fornicator, or profune person among you, who, like Esau, for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. We are God's rational creatures, formed for himself, and born for eternal glory: that spiritual birthright is ours, if we do not miss of it through our own folly. Let us be thankful that we are made capable of being happy, have rational faculties, and immortal natures. Let us praise God that we are distinguished from the heathen nations, in having an assurance of a future eternal world; and that so many spiritual blessings are promised us in our way to it. May we guard against every thing that would alienate our minds from it, and make us despise the favour of God's covenant; or think lightly of his blessings, and esteem them not worth having. He will justly be displeased if we do so; and will not suffer them to be despised with impunity. Let us especially guard against fleshly lusts; all degrees of sensuality, and particularly such a love of meat and drink, as would unfit us for communion with God, and the pleasures of devotion. This many may indulge, who are not called drunkards or gluttons. What a wretched figure does Esau make! And how do we pity his folly, who for a meal of meat would sell his birthright, his worldly goods, his authority, and his father's blessing. And are not those greater fools, who sacrifice their souls for such things? Yet, alas! how many, like him, are always studying how to indulge their appetites; eager after every thing that is new, and grateful to their taste; and are ready to faint and die if their appetite be not indulged! What an unmanly temper is this! What a contemptible figure do such persons make in the eyes of all serious and thinking men! What a wretched thing is it for christians to make a god of their belly, sell their claim to eternal happiness, and sacrifice their precious souls to please their palates! What a dreadful bargain do they make! Esau, if he had possessed but a little patience and self-de

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