Chapter 12—Jacob and Esau
God knows the end from the beginning. He knew, before the birth of Jacob and Esau, just what characters they would both develop. He knew that Esau would not have a heart to obey Him. He answered the troubled prayer of Rebekah and informed her that she would have two children, and the elder should serve the younger. He presented the future history of her two sons before her, that they would be two nations, the one greater than the other, and the elder should serve the younger. The first-born was entitled to peculiar advantages and special privileges, which belonged to no other members of the family.
SR 87.1
Isaac loved Esau better than Jacob, because Esau provided him venison. He was pleased with his bold, courageous spirit manifested in hunting wild beasts. Jacob was the favorite son of his mother, because his disposition was mild and better calculated to make his mother happy. Jacob had learned from his mother what God had taught her, that the elder should serve the younger, and his youthful reasoning led him to conclude that this promise could not be fulfilled while Esau had the privileges which were conferred on the first-born. And when Esau came in from the field, faint with hunger, Jacob improved the opportunity to turn Esau's necessity to his own advantage, and proposed to feed him with pottage if he would renounce all claim to his birthright, and Esau sold his birthright to Jacob.
SR 87.2
Esau took two idolatrous wives, which was a great grief to Isaac and Rebekah. Notwithstanding this, Isaac loved Esau better than Jacob. And when he thought that he was about to die he requested Esau to prepare him meat, that he might bless him before he died. Esau did not tell his father that he had sold his birthright to Jacob and confirmed it with an oath. Rebekah heard the words of Isaac, and she remembered the words of the Lord, “The elder shall serve the younger,” and she knew that Esau had lightly regarded his birthright and sold it to Jacob. She persuaded Jacob to deceive his father and by fraud receive the blessing of his father, which she thought could not be obtained in any other way. Jacob was at first unwilling to practice this deception, but finally consented to his mother's plans.
SR 88.1
Rebekah was acquainted with Isaac's partiality for Esau, and was satisfied that reasoning would not change his purpose. Instead of trusting in God, the Disposer of events, she manifested her lack of faith by persuading Jacob to deceive his father. Jacob's course in this was not approbated by God. Rebekah and Jacob should have waited for God to bring about His own purposes in His own way, and in His own time, instead of trying to bring about the foretold events by the aid of deception.
SR 88.2
If Esau had received the blessing of his father, which was bestowed upon the first-born, his prosperity could have come from God alone; and He would have blessed him with prosperity, or brought upon him adversity, according to his course of action. If he should love and reverence God, like righteous Abel, he would be accepted and blessed of God. If, like wicked Cain, he had no respect for God nor for His commandments, but followed his own corrupt course, he would not receive a blessing from God but would be rejected of God, as was Cain. If Jacob's course should be righteous, if he should love and fear God, he would be blessed of God, and the prospering hand of God would be with him, even if he did not obtain the blessings and privileges generally bestowed upon the first-born.
SR 88.3
145
SR
The Story of Redemption
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Salvation","mp3":"\/mp3\/145\/0016_eng_f_chapter_5_the_plan_of_salvation_145_155.mp3#duration=1300&size=10495365"},{"para_id":"145.201","title":"Chapter 6\u2014Cain and Abel and Their Offerings","mp3":"\/mp3\/145\/0021_eng_f_chapter_6_cain_and_abel_and_their_offerings_145_201.mp3#duration=630&size=5137159"},{"para_id":"145.222","title":"Chapter 7\u2014Seth and Enoch","mp3":"\/mp3\/145\/0023_eng_f_chapter_7_seth_and_enoch_145_222.mp3#duration=595&size=4855483"},{"para_id":"145.245","title":"Chapter 8\u2014The Flood","mp3":"\/mp3\/145\/0025_eng_f_chapter_8_the_flood_145_245.mp3#duration=1219&size=9851307"},{"para_id":"145.295","title":"Chapter 9\u2014The Tower of Babel","mp3":"\/mp3\/145\/0030_eng_f_chapter_9_the_tower_of_babel_145_295.mp3#duration=243&size=2043709"},{"para_id":"145.306","title":"Chapter 10\u2014Abraham and the Promised Seed","mp3":"\/mp3\/145\/0031_eng_f_chapter_10_abraham_and_the_promised_seed_145_306.mp3#duration=1201&size=9706250"},{"para_id":"145.351","title":"Chapter 11\u2014The Marriage of Isaac","mp3":"\/mp3\/145\/0037_eng_f_chapter_11_the_marriage_of_isaac_145_351.mp3#duration=320&size=2653124"},{"para_id":"145.367","title":"Chapter 12\u2014Jacob and Esau","mp3":"\/mp3\/145\/0039_eng_f_chapter_12_jacob_and_esau_145_367.mp3#duration=841&size=6822521"},{"para_id":"145.401","title":"Chapter 13\u2014Jacob and the Angel","mp3":"\/mp3\/145\/0042_eng_f_chapter_13_jacob_and_the_angel_145_401.mp3#duration=820&size=6655875"},{"para_id":"145.430","title":"Chapter 14\u2014The Children of Israel","mp3":"\/mp3\/145\/0045_eng_f_chapter_14_the_children_of_israel_145_430.mp3#duration=1594&size=12851229"},{"para_id":"145.492","title":"Chapter 15\u2014God's Power Revealed","mp3":"\/mp3\/145\/0051_eng_f_chapter_15_god_s_power_revealed_145_492.mp3#duration=864&size=7005154"},{"para_id":"145.529","title":"Chapter 16\u2014Israel's Escape From Bondage","mp3":"\/mp3\/145\/0054_eng_f_chapter_16_israel_s_escape_from_bondage_145_529.mp3#duration=926&size=7503646"},{"para_id":"145.564","title":"Chapter 17\u2014Israel's Journeyings","mp3":"\/mp3\/145\/0057_eng_f_chapter_17_israel_s_journeyings_145_564.mp3#duration=1381&size=11141586"},{"para_id":"145.621","title":"Chapter 18\u2014The Law of God","mp3":"\/mp3\/145\/0063_eng_f_chapter_18_the_law_of_god_145_621.mp3#duration=1775&size=14298227"},{"para_id":"145.702","title":"Chapter 19\u2014The Sanctuary","mp3":"\/mp3\/145\/0071_eng_f_chapter_19_the_sanctuary_145_702.mp3#duration=872&size=7074272"},{"para_id":"145.738","title":"Chapter 20\u2014The Spies and Their Report","mp3":"\/mp3\/145\/0076_eng_f_chapter_20_the_spies_and_their_report_145_738.mp3#duration=836&size=6783313"},{"para_id":"145.767","title":"Chapter 21\u2014The Sin of Moses","mp3":"\/mp3\/145\/0080_eng_f_chapter_21_the_sin_of_moses_145_767.mp3#duration=709&size=5766732"},{"para_id":"145.794","title":"Chapter 22\u2014The Death of Moses","mp3":"\/mp3\/145\/0083_eng_f_chapter_22_the_death_of_moses_145_794.mp3#duration=591&size=4822517"},{"para_id":"145.818","title":"Chapter 23\u2014Entering the Promised Land","mp3":"\/mp3\/145\/0086_eng_f_chapter_23_entering_the_promised_land_145_818.mp3#duration=970&size=7855545"},{"para_id":"145.858","title":"Chapter 24\u2014The Ark of God and the Fortunes of Israel","mp3":"\/mp3\/145\/0091_eng_f_chapter_24_the_ark_of_god_and_the_fortunes_of_israel_145_858.mp3#duration=1695&size=13656237"},{"para_id":"145.923","title":"Chapter 25\u2014The First Advent of Christ","mp3":"\/mp3\/145\/0099_eng_f_chapter_25_the_first_advent_of_christ_145_923.mp3#duration=758&size=6158137"},{"para_id":"145.954","title":"Chapter 26\u2014The Ministry of Christ","mp3":"\/mp3\/145\/0104_eng_f_chapter_26_the_ministry_of_christ_145_954.mp3#duration=722&size=5869020"},{"para_id":"145.984","title":"Chapter 27\u2014The Betrayal of Christ","mp3":"\/mp3\/145\/0108_eng_f_chapter_27_the_betrayal_of_christ_145_984.mp3#duration=573&size=4683256"},{"para_id":"145.1007","title":"Chapter 28\u2014The Trial of Christ","mp3":"\/mp3\/145\/0111_eng_f_chapter_28_the_trial_of_christ_145_1007.mp3#duration=941&size=7623607"},{"para_id":"145.1041","title":"Chapter 29\u2014The Crucifixion of Christ","mp3":"\/mp3\/145\/0117_eng_f_chapter_29_the_crucifixion_of_christ_145_1041.mp3#duration=1382&size=11152116"},{"para_id":"145.1086","title":"Chapter 30\u2014The Resurrection of Christ","mp3":"\/mp3\/145\/0122_eng_f_chapter_30_the_resurrection_of_christ_145_1086.mp3#duration=1142&size=9234779"},{"para_id":"145.1131","title":"Chapter 31\u2014The Ascension of Christ","mp3":"\/mp3\/145\/0131_eng_f_chapter_31_the_ascension_of_christ_145_1131.mp3#duration=242&size=2028737"},{"para_id":"145.1142","title":"Chapter 32\u2014Pentecost","mp3":"\/mp3\/145\/0134_eng_f_chapter_32_pentecost_145_1142.mp3#duration=831&size=6747705"},{"para_id":"145.1179","title":"Chapter 33\u2014The Healing of the Cripple","mp3":"\/mp3\/145\/0139_eng_f_chapter_33_the_healing_of_the_cripple_145_1179.mp3#duration=732&size=5952673"},{"para_id":"145.1208","title":"Chapter 34\u2014Loyalty to God Under Persecution","mp3":"\/mp3\/145\/0142_eng_f_chapter_34_loyalty_to_god_under_persecution_145_1208.mp3#duration=676&size=5505103"},{"para_id":"145.1231","title":"Chapter 35\u2014Gospel Order","mp3":"\/mp3\/145\/0145_eng_f_chapter_35_gospel_order_145_1231.mp3#duration=318&size=2643753"},{"para_id":"145.1242","title":"Chapter 36\u2014Death of Stephen","mp3":"\/mp3\/145\/0146_eng_f_chapter_36_death_of_stephen_145_1242.mp3#duration=751&size=6102024"},{"para_id":"145.1274","title":"Chapter 37\u2014The Conversion of Saul","mp3":"\/mp3\/145\/0149_eng_f_chapter_37_the_conversion_of_saul_145_1274.mp3#duration=1008&size=8162510"},{"para_id":"145.1313","title":"Chapter 38\u2014The Early Ministry of Paul","mp3":"\/mp3\/145\/0154_eng_f_chapter_38_the_early_ministry_of_paul_145_1313.mp3#duration=496&size=4064501"},{"para_id":"145.1335","title":"Chapter 39\u2014The Ministry of Peter","mp3":"\/mp3\/145\/0157_eng_f_chapter_39_the_ministry_of_peter_145_1335.mp3#duration=1379&size=11132918"},{"para_id":"145.1392","title":"Chapter 40\u2014Peter Delivered From Prison","mp3":"\/mp3\/145\/0164_eng_f_chapter_40_peter_delivered_from_prison_145_1392.mp3#duration=1205&size=9739525"},{"para_id":"145.1433","title":"Chapter 41\u2014In the Regions Beyond","mp3":"\/mp3\/145\/0168_eng_f_chapter_41_in_the_regions_beyond_145_1433.mp3#duration=1181&size=9546931"},{"para_id":"145.1480","title":"Chapter 42\u2014Paul's Years of Ministry","mp3":"\/mp3\/145\/0173_eng_f_chapter_42_paul_s_years_of_ministry_145_1480.mp3#duration=725&size=5894942"},{"para_id":"145.1507","title":"Chapter 43\u2014Martyrdom of Paul and Peter","mp3":"\/mp3\/145\/0177_eng_f_chapter_43_martyrdom_of_paul_and_peter_145_1507.mp3#duration=760&size=6178490"},{"para_id":"145.1529","title":"Chapter 44\u2014The Great Apostasy","mp3":"\/mp3\/145\/0179_eng_f_chapter_44_the_great_apostasy_145_1529.mp3#duration=757&size=6151672"},{"para_id":"145.1555","title":"Chapter 45\u2014The Mystery of Iniquity","mp3":"\/mp3\/145\/0182_eng_f_chapter_45_the_mystery_of_iniquity_145_1555.mp3#duration=1256&size=10143060"},{"para_id":"145.1598","title":"Chapter 46\u2014Early Reformers","mp3":"\/mp3\/145\/0186_eng_f_chapter_46_early_reformers_145_1598.mp3#duration=548&size=4481504"},{"para_id":"145.1623","title":"Chapter 47\u2014Luther and the Great Reformation","mp3":"\/mp3\/145\/0189_eng_f_chapter_47_luther_and_the_great_reformation_145_1623.mp3#duration=666&size=5426209"},{"para_id":"145.1651","title":"Chapter 48\u2014Progress of the Reformation","mp3":"\/mp3\/145\/0192_eng_f_chapter_48_progress_of_the_reformation_145_1651.mp3#duration=796&size=6463720"},{"para_id":"145.1689","title":"Chapter 49\u2014Failure to Advance","mp3":"\/mp3\/145\/0195_eng_f_chapter_49_failure_to_advance_145_1689.mp3#duration=270&size=2253076"},{"para_id":"145.1700","title":"Chapter 50\u2014The First Angel's Message","mp3":"\/mp3\/145\/0196_eng_f_chapter_50_the_first_angel_s_message_145_1700.mp3#duration=960&size=7777781"},{"para_id":"145.1740","title":"Chapter 51\u2014The Second Angel's Message","mp3":"\/mp3\/145\/0200_eng_f_chapter_51_the_second_angel_s_message_145_1740.mp3#duration=563&size=4604027"},{"para_id":"145.1765","title":"Chapter 52\u2014The Midnight Cry","mp3":"\/mp3\/145\/0202_eng_f_chapter_52_the_midnight_cry_145_1765.mp3#duration=781&size=6348002"},{"para_id":"145.1791","title":"Chapter 53\u2014The Sanctuary","mp3":"\/mp3\/145\/0204_eng_f_chapter_53_the_sanctuary_145_1791.mp3#duration=577&size=4709976"},{"para_id":"145.1811","title":"Chapter 54\u2014The Third Angel's Message","mp3":"\/mp3\/145\/0207_eng_f_chapter_54_the_third_angel_s_message_145_1811.mp3#duration=731&size=5946670"},{"para_id":"145.1838","title":"Chapter 55\u2014A Firm Platform","mp3":"\/mp3\/145\/0210_eng_f_chapter_55_a_firm_platform_145_1838.mp3#duration=351&size=2907956"},{"para_id":"145.1852","title":"Chapter 56\u2014Satan's Delusions","mp3":"\/mp3\/145\/0212_eng_f_chapter_56_satan_s_delusions_145_1852.mp3#duration=691&size=5625729"},{"para_id":"145.1873","title":"Chapter 57\u2014Spiritualism","mp3":"\/mp3\/145\/0214_eng_f_chapter_57_spiritualism_145_1873.mp3#duration=787&size=6395854"},{"para_id":"145.1901","title":"Chapter 58\u2014The Loud Cry","mp3":"\/mp3\/145\/0217_eng_f_chapter_58_the_loud_cry_145_1901.mp3#duration=352&size=2912242"},{"para_id":"145.1913","title":"Chapter 59\u2014The Close of Probation","mp3":"\/mp3\/145\/0218_eng_f_chapter_59_the_close_of_probation_145_1913.mp3#duration=523&size=4281845"},{"para_id":"145.1929","title":"Chapter 60\u2014The Time of Jacob's Trouble","mp3":"\/mp3\/145\/0220_eng_f_chapter_60_the_time_of_jacob_s_trouble_145_1929.mp3#duration=339&size=2810533"},{"para_id":"145.1941","title":"Chapter 61\u2014Deliverance of the Saints","mp3":"\/mp3\/145\/0222_eng_f_chapter_61_deliverance_of_the_saints_145_1941.mp3#duration=521&size=4260373"},{"para_id":"145.1959","title":"Chapter 62\u2014The Saints\u2019 Reward","mp3":"\/mp3\/145\/0225_eng_f_chapter_62_the_saints_reward_145_1959.mp3#duration=255&size=2135374"},{"para_id":"145.1967","title":"Chapter 63\u2014The Millennium","mp3":"\/mp3\/145\/0226_eng_f_chapter_63_the_millennium_145_1967.mp3#duration=284&size=2369941"},{"para_id":"145.1978","title":"Chapter 64\u2014The Second Resurrection","mp3":"\/mp3\/145\/0227_eng_f_chapter_64_the_second_resurrection_145_1978.mp3#duration=295&size=2457045"},{"para_id":"145.1989","title":"Chapter 65\u2014The Coronation of Christ","mp3":"\/mp3\/145\/0228_eng_f_chapter_65_the_coronation_of_christ_145_1989.mp3#duration=793&size=6442160"},{"para_id":"145.2016","title":"Chapter 66\u2014The Second Death","mp3":"\/mp3\/145\/0231_eng_f_chapter_66_the_second_death_145_2016.mp3#duration=474&size=3887026"},{"para_id":"145.2030","title":"Chapter 67\u2014The New Earth","mp3":"\/mp3\/145\/0233_eng_f_chapter_67_the_new_earth_145_2030.mp3#duration=538&size=4399173"}]