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Trembling with astonishment and distress； the blind old father learned the
deception that had been practiced upon him。 His long and fondly cherished
hopes had been thwarted； and he keenly felt the disappointment that must
come upon his elder son。 Yet the conviction flashed upon him that it was
God's providence which had defeated his purpose and brought about the very
thing he had determined to prevent。 He remembered the words of the angel to
Rebekah； and notwithstanding the sin of which Jacob was now guilty； he saw
in him the one best fitted to accomplish the purposes of God。 While the
words of blessing were upon his lips； he had felt the Spirit of inspiration
upon him； and now； knowing all the circumstances； he ratified the
benediction unwittingly pronounced upon Jacob： 〃I have blessed him； yea； and
he shall be blessed。〃
Esau had lightly valued the blessing while it seemed within his reach； but
he desired to possess it now that it was gone from him forever。 All the
strength of his impulsive； passionate nature was aroused； and his grief and
rage were terrible。 He cried with an exceeding bitter cry； 〃Bless me； even
me also； O my father！〃 〃Hast thou not reserved a blessing for me？〃 But the
promise given was not to be recalled。 The birthright which he had so
carelessly bartered he could not now regain。 〃For one morsel of meat；〃 for a
momentary gratification of appetite that had never been restrained； Esau
sold his inheritance； but when he saw his folly； it was too late to recover
the blessing。 〃He found no place of repentance； though he sought it
carefully with tears。〃 Hebrews 12：16； 17。 Esau was not shut out from the
privilege of seeking God's favor by repentance； but he could find no means
of recovering the birthright。 His grief did not spring from conviction of
sin； he did not desire to be reconciled to God。 He sorrowed because of the
results of his sin； but not for the sin itself。
Because of his indifference to the divine blessings and requirements； Esau
is called in Scripture 〃a profane person。〃 Verse
16。 He represents those who lightly value the redemption purchased
for them by Christ； and are ready to sacrifice their heirship to heaven for
the perishable things of earth。 Multitudes live for the present； with no
thought or care for the future。 Like Esau
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they cry； 〃Let us eat and drink； for tomorrow we die。〃 1 Corinthians 15：32。
They are controlled by inclination； and rather than practice self…denial；
they will forgo the most valuable considerations。 If one must be
relinquished； the gratification of a depraved appetite or the heavenly
blessings promised only to the self…denying and God…fearing； the claims of
appetite prevail； and God and heaven are virtually despised。 How many； even
of professed Christians； cling to indulgences that are injurious to health
and that benumb the sensibilities of the soul。 When the duty is presented of
cleansing themselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit； perfecting
holiness in the fear of God； they are offended。 They see that they cannot
retain these hurtful gratifications and yet secure heaven； and they conclude
that since the way to eternal life is so strait； they will no longer walk
therein。
Multitudes are selling their birthright for sensual indulgence。 Health is
sacrificed； the mental faculties are enfeebled； and heaven is forfeited； and
all for a mere temporary pleasurean indulgence at once both weakening and
debasing in its character。 As Esau awoke to see the folly of his rash
exchange when it was too late to recover his loss； so it will be in the day
of God with those who have bartered their heirship to heaven for selfish
gratifications。
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Chapter 17
Jacob's Flight and Exile
Threatened with death by the wrath of Esau； Jacob went out from his father's
home a fugitive； but he carried with him the father's blessing； Isaac had
renewed to him the covenant promise； and had bidden him； as its inheritor；
to seek a wife of his mother's family in Mesopotamia。 Yet it was with a
deeply troubled heart that Jacob set out on his lonely journey。 With only
his staff in his hand he must travel hundreds of miles through a country
inhabited by wild； roving tribes。 In his remorse and timidity he sought to
avoid men； lest he should be traced by his angry brother。 He feared that he
had lost forever the blessing that God had purposed to give him； and Satan
was at hand to press temptations upon him。
The evening of the second day found him far away from his father's tents。 He
felt that he was an outcast； and he knew that all this trouble had been
brought upon him by his own wrong course。 The darkness of despair pressed
upon his soul； and he hardly dared to pray。 But he was so utterly lonely
that he felt the need of protection from God as he had never felt it before。
With weeping and deep humiliation he confessed his sin； and entreated for
some evidence that he was not utterly forsaken。 Still his burdened heart
found no relief。 He had lost all confidence in himself； and he feared that
the God of his fathers had cast him off。
But God did not forsake Jacob。 His mercy was still extended to His erring；
distrustful servant。 The Lord compassionately revealed just what Jacob
neededa Saviour。 He had sinned； but his heart was filled with gratitude as
he saw revealed a way by which he could be restored to the favor of God。
Wearied with his journey； the wanderer lay down upon the ground； with a
stone for his pillow。 As he slept he beheld a ladder； bright and shining；
whose base rested upon the earth； while the top reached to heaven。 Upon this
ladder angels were ascending and descending； above it was the Lord of glory；
and from
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the heavens His voice was heard： 〃I am the Lord God of Abraham thy father；
and the God of Isaac。〃 The land whereon he lay as an exile and fugitive was
promised to him and to his posterity； with the assurance； 〃In thee and in
thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed。〃 This promise had
been given to Abraham and to Isaac； and now it was renewed to Jacob。 Then in
special regard to his present loneliness and distress； the words of comfort
and encouragement were spoken： 〃Behold； I am with thee； and will keep thee
in all places whither thou goest； and will bring thee again into this land；
for I will not leave thee； until I have done that which I have spoken to
thee of。〃
The Lord knew the evil influences that would surround Jacob； and the perils
to which he would be exposed。 In mercy He opened up the future before the
repentant fugitive； that he might understand the divine purpose with
reference to himself； and be prepared to resist the temptations that would
surely come to him when alone amid idolaters and scheming men。 There would
be ever before him the high standard at which he must aim； and the knowledge
that through him the purpose of God was reaching its accomplishment； would
constantly prompt him to faithfulness。
In the vision the plan of redemption was presented to Jacob； not fully； but
in such