patriarchs and prophets-第43章
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and persecution may be the result。 With the spirit of love and meekness；
this fidelity may have an influence to win the unbelieving one。 But the
marriage of Christians with the ungodly is forbidden in the Bible。 The
Lord's direction is； 〃Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers。〃
2 Corinthians 6：14； 17； 18。
Isaac was highly honored by God in being made inheritor of the promises
through which the world was to be blessed； yet when he was forty years of
age he submitted to his father's judgment in appointing his experience；
God…fearing servant to choose a wife for him。 And the result of that
marriage； as presented in the Scriptures； is a tender and beautiful picture
of domestic happiness： 〃Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent； and
took Rebekah； and she became his wife； and he loved her： and Isaac was
comforted after his mother's death。〃
What a contrast between the course of Isaac and that pursued by the youth of
our time； even among professed Christians！ Young people too often feel that
the bestowal of their affections is a matter in which self alone should be
consulteda matter that neither God nor their parents should in any wise
control。 Long before they have reached manhood or womanhood they think
themselves competent to make their own choice； without the aid of their
parents。 A few years of married life are usually sufficient to show them
their error； but often too late to prevent its baleful results。 For the same
lack of wisdom and self…control that dictated the hasty choice is permitted
to aggravate the evil； until the marriage relation a galling yoke。 Many have
thus wrecked their happiness in this life and their hope of the life to
come。
If there is any subject which should be carefully considered and in which
the counsel of older and more experienced persons should be sought； it is
the subject of marriage； if ever the Bible was needed as a counselor； if
ever divine guidance should be sought in prayer； it is before taking a step
that binds persons together for life。
Parents should never lose sight of their own responsibility for the future
happiness of their children。 Isaac's deference to his
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father's judgment was the result of the training that had taught him to love
a life of obedience。 While Abraham required his children to respect parental
authority； his daily life testified that that authority was not a selfish or
arbitrary control； but was founded in love； and had their welfare and
happiness in view。
Fathers and mothers should feel that a duty devolves upon them to guide the
affections of the youth； that they may be placed upon those who will be
suitable companions。 They should feel it a duty； by their own teaching and
example； with the assisting grace of God； to so mold the character of the
children from their earliest years that they will be pure and noble and will
be attracted to the good and true。 Like attracts like； like appreciates
like。 Let the love for truth and purity and goodness be early implanted in
the soul； and the youth will seek the society of those who possess these
characteristics。
Let parents seek； in their own character and in their home life； to
exemplify the love and beneficence of the heavenly Father。 Let the home be
full of sunshine。 This will be worth far more to your children than lands or
money。 Let the home love be kept alive in their hearts； that they may look
back upon the home of their childhood as a place of peace and happiness next
to heaven。 The members of the family do not all have the same stamp of
character； and there will be frequent occasion for the exercise of patience
and forbearance； but through love and self…discipline all may be bound
together in the closest union。
True love is a high and holy principle； altogether different in character
from that love which is awakened by impulse and which suddenly dies when
severely tested。 It is by faithfulness to duty in the parental home that the
youth are to prepare themselves for homes of their own。 Let them here
practice self…denial and manifest kindness； courtesy； and Christian
sympathy。 Thus love will be kept warm in the heart； and he who goes out from
such a household to stand at the head of a family of his own will know how
to promote the happiness of her whom he has chosen as a companion for life。
Marriage； instead of being the end of love； will be only its beginning。
（177）
Chapter 16
Jacob and Esau
Jacob and Esau； the twin sons of Isaac； present a striking contrast； both in
character and in life。 This unlikeness was foretold by the angel of God
before their birth。 When in answer to Rebekah's troubled prayer he declared
that two sons would be given her； he opened to her their future history；
that each would become the head of a mighty nation； but that one would be
greater than the other； and that the younger would have the pre…eminence。
Esau grew up loving self…gratification and centering all his interest in the
present。 Impatient of restraint； he delighted in the wild freedom of the
chase； and early chose the life of a hunter。 Yet he was the father's
favorite。 The quiet； peace…loving shepherd was attracted by the daring and
vigor of this elder son； who fearlessly ranged over mountain and desert；
returning home with game for his father and with exciting accounts of his
adventurous life。 Jacob； thoughtful； diligent； and care…taking； ever
thinking more of the future than the present； was content to dwell at home；
occupied in the care of the flocks and the tillage of the soil。 His patient
perseverance； thrift； and foresight were valued by the mother。 His
affections were deep and strong； and his gentle； unremitting attentions
added far more to her happiness than did the boisterous and occasional
kindnesses of Esau。 To Rebekah； Jacob was the dearer son。
The promises made to Abraham and confirmed to his son were held by Isaac and
Rebekah as the great object of their desires and hopes。 With these promises
Esau and Jacob were familiar。 They were taught to regard the birthright as a
matter of great importance； for it included not only an inheritance of
worldly wealth but spiritual pre…eminence。 He who received it was to be the
priest of his family； and in the line of his posterity the Redeemer of the
world would come。 On the other hand； there were obligations resting upon the
possessor of the birthright。 He
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who should inherit its blessings must devote his life to the service of God。
Like Abraham； he must be obedient to the divine requirements。 In marriage；
in his family relations； in public life； he must consult the will of God。
Isaac made known to his sons these privileges and conditions； and plainly
stated that Esau； as the eldest； was the one entitled to the birthright。 But
Esau had no love for devotion； no inclination to a religious life。 The
requirements that accompanied the spiritual birthright were an unwelcome and
even hateful restraint to him。 The law of God； which was the condition of
the divine covenant with Abraham； was regarded by Esau as a yoke of bondage。
Bent on self…indulgence； he desired nothing so much as liberty to do as he
pleased。 To him power and riches； feasting and reveling； were happiness。 He
gloried in the unrestrained freedom of his wild； roving life。 Rebekah
remembered the words of the angel； and she read with clearer insight than
did her husband the character of their sons。 She was convinced that the
heritage of divine promise was intended for Jacob。 She repeated to Isaac the
angel's words； but the father's affections were centered upon the elder son；
and he was unshaken in his purpose。
Jacob had learned from his mother of the divine intimation that the
birthright should fall to him； and he was filled with an unspeakable desire
for the privileges which it would confer。 It was not the possession of his
father's wealth that he craved； the spiritual birthright was the object of
his longing。 To commune with God as did righteous Abraham； to offer the
sacrifice of atonement for his family； to be the prog
