patriarchs and prophets-第45章
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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 parts as were essential to him at that time。 The mystic ladder
revealed to him in his dream was the same to which Christ referred in His
conversation with Nathanael。 Said He； 〃Ye shall see heaven open； and the
angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man。〃 John 1：51。 Up
to the time of man's rebellion against the government of God； there had been
free communion between God and man。 But the sin of Adam and Eve separated
earth from heaven； so that man could not have communion with his Maker。 Yet
the world was not left in solitary hopelessness。 The ladder represents
Jesus； the appointed medium of communication。 Had He not with His own merits
bridged the gulf that sin had made； the ministering angels could have held
no communion with fallen man。 Christ connects man in his weakness and
helplessness with the source of infinite power。
All this was revealed to Jacob in his dream。 Although his mind at once
grasped a part of the revelation； its great and mysterious truths were the
study of his lifetime； and unfolded to his understanding more and more。
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Jacob awoke from his sleep in the deep stillness of night。 The shining forms
of his vision had disappeared。 Only the dim outline of the lonely hills； and
above them the heavens bright with stars； now met his gaze。 But he had a
solemn sense that God was with him。 An unseen presence filled the solitude。
〃Surely the Lord is in this place；〃 he said； 〃and I knew it not。 。 。 。 This
is none other but the house of God； and this is the gate of heaven。〃
〃And Jacob rose up early in the morning； and took the stone that he had put
for his pillows； and set it up for a pillar； and poured oil upon the top of
it。 〃In accordance with the custom of commemorating important events； Jacob
set up a memorial of God's mercy； that whenever he should pass that way he
might tarry at this sacred spot to worship the Lord。 And he called the place
Bethel； or the 〃house of God。〃 With deep gratitude he repeated the promise
that God's presence would be with him； and then he made the solemn vow； 〃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： and this stone； which I have
set for a pillar； shall be God's house： and of all that Thou shalt give me I
will surely give the tenth unto Thee。〃
Jacob was not here seeking to make terms with God。 The Lord had already
promised him prosperity； and this vow was the outflow of a heart filled with
gratitude for the assurance of God's love and mercy。 Jacob felt that God had
claims upon him which he must acknowledge； and that the special tokens of
divine favor granted him demanded a return。 So does every blessing bestowed
upon us call for a response to the Author of all our mercies。 The Christian
should often review his past life and recall with gratitude the precious
deliverances that God has wrought for him； supporting
