LESSON V. ISAAC AND JACOB. THE two succeeding patriarchs, Isaac and Jacob, are invested with an historical interest, not so much from peculiar excellences of character as from the fact that they constituted links in the series of persons through whom the Divine communications intrusted to Abraham were transmitted to his posterity. The promises given to Abraham were repeated to Isaac, and after him to Jacob. Through them, the great truth of the unity of God was preserved and handed down from generation to generation. It is a striking illustration of the fact that the human mind is dependent on God for truth, as the body is for the supply of its wants, that at this time, so far as we know, the knowledge of the true God was confined to the circle of the patriarchs' tents. The narrative is characterized by simplicity and naturalness. It is one of the striking internal proofs of its truth, (one which it possesses in common with every other part of the Bible,) that, in the accounts given of different persons, no attempt is ever made to conceal or excuse their faults or vices. Every thing is set down with fearless honesty. The evil deeds of men held most in honor by the Hebrew race are narrated with as much minuteness as their virtues. Very different from the history of the founders of states in the heathen world, the patriarchs are never magnified beyond the proportions of humanity, but always appear as men, with the weaknesses as well as excellences of human nature. Another evidence of truthfulness is found in the variety of characters, and in the consistency between character and its moral results. The traits which appear in early life bear their natural fruits with advancing years, and, what is not less instructive, the virtues and vices of education, character, and custom, which belonged to the parents, reappear in their children. The practice of polygamy is the NO. III. constant source of domestic disquiet, strife, and unhappiness. The exalted religious faith of Abraham descends to his posterity, the sentiment remaining amidst even great moral unfaithfulness. The mother of Ishmael was an Egyptian. The intriguing, partial, and untruthful character of Rebekah is Communicated to the son whom she most loves. She secures to Jacob the elder brother's portion by deceiving Isaac, and the law of retribution vindicating itself, this act makes it necessary for him to flee from his home, and Rebekah is deprived of the sight of him for many years. Through a large part of his life, Jacob is disturbed by the fear of Esau, whom he had wronged. He manifests a partiality for Joseph and Benjamin such as Rebekah had shown towards him, and this injustice of affection excites the enmity of his brethren against Joseph, and becomes the cause of Jacob's sorest afflictions. - Simply as a picture of primitive, pastoral life, the history of the patriarchs possesses a remarkable interest. Were it lost, there is nothing in ancient or modern literature which could supply its place. Thousands of years have passed, and yet so vivid is the narrative, that these early tribes their condition, their long journeyings with their flocks and herds, their resting-places and wells in the desert, their domestic customs, their intercourse with one another, their ways of thinking, their dangers, their pleasures, and all the habits of nomadic life are brought as freshly before us as if we could look upon them with our own eyes. As a record of the early ages, a Daguerreotype likeness preserving their features for us to witness, this early history would be invaluable. But still, its value in this respect is altogether incidental and subordinate. Its allengrossing interest to us is derived from the fact of its being a record of that providential series of events through which God revealed the most essential religious truths, and prepared the way for the coming of Him who is the Light of the World. Q. Of whom did Abraham, on the death of Sarab, purchase a burial-place? A. Of the sons of Heth. Gen. xxiii. Q. Can you give an account of what took place be tween the sons of Heth and Abraham? Gen. xxiii. Q. Whither did Abraham send to procure a wife for his son Isaac ? A. To Mesopotamia, to the city of Nahor, Abraham's brother. Gen. xxiv. 1-10. Q. Whose daughter was Rebekah ? A. She was daughter of Bethuel, the son of Nahor. Q. Where did Abraham's servant meet her, and what took place between them? A. He met her at the well whither she had gone to draw water. She gave the stranger to drink, and then drew water for the camels. Gen. xxiv. 15. Q. Can you describe the meeting of Isaac and Rebekah? Gen. xxiv. 61 - 67. Q. At Abraham's death, where and with whom was he buried? A. His sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field which Abraham purchased of the sons of Heth; there was Abraham buried, and Sarah his wife. Gen. XXV. 8-10. Q. What were the names of Isaac's sons? A. Esau and Jacob. Q. What promise was repeated to Isaac ? A. Unto thy seed I will give all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed. Gen. xxvi. 2-5. Q. What wells were dug by Isaac ? A. He dug again the wells which they had digged in the days of Abraham his father; for the Philistines had stopped them after the death of Abraham. Gen. xxvi. 18-32. Q. To which son did Isaac give his blessing? Q. How was Esau affected by the loss of his birthright? A. Esau hated Jacob, and resolved to kill him. Gen. xxvii. 41. Q. Whither was Jacob sent, and for what reason? A. To Laban, his uncle, who lived at Haran; and he was charged to take a wife of the daughters of Laban. Gen. xxvii. 42-46. Q. Give an account of Jacob's dream, as he slept at night, on the way to Haran. A. He dreamed that he saw a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven, and the angels of God ascending and descending on it. Gen. xxviii. 10 - 12. Q. What promise was repeated to Jacob? A. The land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed; and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed. Gen. xxviii. 13, 14. Q. On awaking, what were his words? A. He said, “Surely the Lord is in this place," and "This is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven " Gen. xxviii. 16, 17. Q. Give an account of Jacob's first meeting with Rachel in Haran? A. He came to a well where the shepherds were preparing to water their flocks; and presently Rachel came with her father's flock, for she kept them. And when Jacob saw Rachel, and learned that she was his cousin, he went near and rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the flock. And he told her who he was; and she ran and told her father. Gen. xxix. 1–14. LESSON VI. TIMES OF THE PATRIARCHS. Q. What were the names of the two wives of Jacob? A. Leah and Rachel. Gen. xxix. 16. Q. How many sons had Jacob? A. Twelve. Gen. xxxv. 23-25. Q. By what names were the sons of Rachel called? A. Joseph and Benjamin. Gen. xxxv. 24. Q. On leaving Laban and returning to Canaan, whom did Jacob meet? A. His brother Esau. Gen. xxxii. 6. Q. By what means did he endeavor to avert Esau's anger? A. He sent forward an ample present of his flocks |