could only confirm the blessing he gave to Jacob, and say, Esau shall be his servant, but Esau like Ishmael was promised a measure of earthly prosperity.

How was it Isaac was able to bless his sons ?

It is written, "By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come." Why did Esau hate Jacob?

Because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him, and he said in his heart, "I will slay my brother Jacob."

When the words of Esau were repeated to Rebekah, what did she say to Jacob?

She urged his going for safety to her brother Laban at Haran.

What made Isaac unite in sending him to Haran?

He told him not to marry as Esau did a Canaanite, but to go and get a wife from among Laban's daughters, and he blessed him, and sent him away.-xxviii.

When Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob, and that he had warned him against

marrying a daughter of the land, what effort did he make to please his father?

He added to the wives he already had, a daughter of Ishmael.

What instruction may we gain from Esau's history?

The danger of despising heavenly blessings when they are within our reach, for, as "Esau found no place for repentence though he sought it carefully with tears," so will those who neglect the Salvation of Jesus Christ now, be unable to obtain it when the time comes to receive the blessings of God's chosen people.

Does it not seem from the history, that Jacob received his father's blessing through subtilty?

Yes. In obedience to his mother, Jacob went to his father disguised in Esau's clothes, and Isaac's sight being dim with years, he mistook him for his brother. Jacob's history shows he was punished for this treachery by his brother's hatred, which made him a wanderer for many years from his father's house.

Why is it said, Isaac loved Esau ?
Because he did eat of his venison.

Why did God love Jacob?

Because he had chosen him to be his servant; and had given him the faith of Abraham.

How was this shown?

In the whole history of his life, which, though marked with trials, was cheered by the continual blessing and preserving care of God; we read of seven distinct times in which he appeared to him to encourage and comfort him on his way.-xxviii.

How did God first appear to him?

In a dream after he had left his father's house. He saw a ladder reaching from the earth to heaven and the Lord at the top, and the angels ascended and descended on it. What did Jesus say to Nathaniel ?

Hereafter shall ye see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the son of man.

Of what may this ladder remind us?

Of that communication between earth and heaven Jesus has opened for the redeemed.

What promise did God make to Jacob?

He renewed the promise of the land, made to Abraham, and said, "Lo, I will be with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.xxviii. 15.

What did Jacob say on awaking?

He said, surely the Lord is in this place. And he called the name of that place Bethel, or the house of God.-17-19.

What did Jacob desire in choosing the Lord for his God?

He desired that which God had promised him, saying," If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, so that I come again to my father's house in peace; then shall the Lord be my God."

What are we told to be contented with? The Apostle says, "Having food and raiment, let us be therewith content."

Has God promised to feed and clothe his people?

Yes. "No good thing will he withhold from

them," and Jesus says, as he feeds the birds of the air and clothes the lilies of the field, he will much more clothe and feed us.-Luke xii.

Who did Jacob meet on entering Haran? Rachel, Laban's daughter.-Gen. xxix. Was he kindly treated by Laban?

Yes. He ran out to meet him and kissed him.

What engagement did he make on entering Laban's service?

He agreed to serve him seven years for his daughter Rachel.

Did Laban fulfil this engagement?

No. At the end of seven years he gave him his daughter Leah instead of Rachel, which obliged him to serve another seven years.

Why was Laban unwilling to part with Jacob?

He said, "I have learnt by experience that the Lord has blessed me for thy sake."

On what terms did Jacob consent to serve him again?

On his agreeing to give him the speckled