patriarchs and prophets-第51章
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granted to Jacob worldly wealth； in addition to the higher good that he had
sought。 The possessions of the two brothers 〃were more than that they might
dwell together； and the land wherein they were strangers could not bear them
because of their cattle。〃 This separation was in accordance with the divine
purpose concerning Jacob。 Since the brothers differed so greatly in regard
to religious faith； it was better for them to dwell apart。
Esau and Jacob had alike been instructed in the knowledge of God； and both
were free to walk in His commandments and to receive His favor； but they had
not both chosen to do this。 The two brothers had walked in different ways；
and their paths would continue to diverge more and more widely。
There was no arbitrary choice on the part of God by which Esau was shut out
from the blessings of salvation。 The gifts of His grace through Christ are
free to all。 There is no election but one's own by which any may perish。 God
has set forth in His word the conditions upon which every soul will be
elected to eternal lifeobedience to His commandments； through faith in
Christ。 God has elected a character in harmony with His law； and anyone who
shall reach the standard of His requirement will have an entrance into the
kingdom of glory。 Christ Himself said； 〃He that believeth on the Son hath
everlasting life： and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life。〃
John 3：36。 〃Not everyone that saith unto Me； Lord； Lord； shall enter into
the kingdom of heaven； but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in
heaven。〃 Matthew 7：21。 And in the Revelation He declares；
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〃Blessed are they that do His commandments； that they may have right to the
tree of life； and may enter in through the gates into the city。〃 Revelation
22：14。 As regards man's final salvation； this is the only election brought
to view in the word of God。
Every soul is elected who will work out his own salvation with fear and
trembling。 He is elected who will put on the armor and fight the good fight
of faith。 He is elected who will watch unto prayer； who will search the
Scriptures； and flee from temptation He is elected who will have faith
continually； and who will be obedient to every word that proceedeth out of
the mouth of God。 The provisions of redemption are free to all； the results
of redemption will be enjoyed by those who have complied with the
conditions。
Esau had despised the blessings of the covenant。 He had valued temporal
above spiritual good； and he had received that which he desired。 It was by
his own deliberate choice that he was separated from the people of God。
Jacob had chosen the inheritance of faith。 He had endeavored to obtain it by
craft； treachery； and falsehood； but God had permitted his sin to work out
its correction。 Yet through all the bitter experience of his later years；
Jacob had never swerved from his purpose or renounced his choice。 He had
learned that in resorting to human skill and craft to secure the blessing；
he had been warring against God。 From that night of wrestling beside the
Jabbok； Jacob had come forth a different man。 Self…confidence had been
uprooted。 Henceforth the early cunning was no longer seen。 In place of craft
and deception； his life was marked by simplicity and truth。 He had learned
the lesson of simple reliance upon the Almighty Arm； and amid trial and
affliction he bowed in humble submission to the will of God。 The baser
elements of character were consumed in the furnace fire； the true gold was
refined； until the faith of Abraham and Isaac appeared undimmed in Jacob。
The sin of Jacob； and the train of events to which it led； had not failed to
exert an influence for evilan influence that revealed its bitter fruit in
the character and life of his sons。 As these sons arrived at manhood they
developed serious faults。 The results of polygamy were manifest in the
household。 This terrible evil tends to dry up the very springs of love； and
its influence weakens the most sacred ties。 The jealousy of the several
mothers had
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embittered the family relation； the children had grown up contentious and
impatient of control； and the father's life was darkened with anxiety and
grief。
There was one； however； of a widely different characterthe elder son of
Rachel； Joseph； whose rare personal beauty seemed but to reflect an inward
beauty of mind and heart。 Pure； active； and joyous； the lad gave evidence
also of moral earnestness and firmness。 He listened to his father's
instructions； and loved to obey God。 The qualities that afterward
distinguished him in Egyptgentleness； fidelity； and truthfulnesswere
already manifest in his daily life。 His mother being dead； his affections
clung the more closely to the father； and Jacob's heart was bound up in this
child of his old age。 He 〃loved Joseph more than all his children。〃
But even this affection was to become a cause of trouble and sorrow。 Jacob
unwisely manifested his preference for Joseph； and this excited the jealousy
of his other sons。 As Joseph witnessed the evil conduct of his brothers； he
was greatly troubled； he ventured gently to remonstrate with them； but only
aroused still further their hatred and resentment。 He could not endure to
see them sinning against God； and he laid the matter before his father；
hoping that his authority might lead them to reform。
Jacob carefully avoided exciting their anger by harshness or severity。 With
deep emotion he expressed his solicitude for his children； and implored them
to have respect for his gray hairs； and not to bring reproach upon his name；
and above all not to dishonor God by such disregard of His precepts。 Ashamed
that their wickedness was known； the young men seemed to be repentant； but
they only concealed their real feelings； which were rendered more bitter by
this exposure。
The father's injudicious gift to Joseph of a costly coat； or tunic； such as
was usually worn by persons of distinction； seemed to them another evidence
of his partiality； and excited a suspicion that he intended to pass by his
elder children； to bestow the birthright upon the son of Rachel。 Their
malice was still further increased as the boy one day told them of a dream
that he had had。 〃Behold；〃 he said； 〃we were binding sheaves in the field；
and； lo； my sheaf arose； and also stood upright； and； behold； your sheaves
stood round about； and made obeisance to my sheaf。〃
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〃Shalt thou indeed reign over us？ or shalt thou indeed have dominion over
us？〃 exclaimed his brothers in envious anger。
Soon he had another dream； of similar import； which he also related：
〃Behold； the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me。〃
This dream was interpreted as readily as the first。 The father； who was
present； spoke reprovingly〃What is this dream that thou hast dreamed？
Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to
thee to the earth？〃 Notwithstanding the apparent severity of his words；
Jacob believed that the Lord was revealing the future to Joseph。
As the lad stood before his brothers； his beautiful countenance lighted up
with the Spirit of inspiration； they could not withhold their admiration；
but they did not choose to renounce their evil ways； and they hated the
purity that reproved their sins。 The same spirit that actuated Cain was
kindling in their hearts。
The brothers were obliged to move from place to place to secure pasturage
for their flocks； and frequently they were absent from home for months
together。 After the circumstances just related； they went to the place which
their father had bought at Shechem。 Some time passed； bringing no tidings
from them； and the father began to fear for their safety； on account of
their former cruelty toward the Shechemites。 He therefore sent Joseph to
find them； and bring him words as to their welfare。 Had Jacob known the real
feeling of his sons toward Joseph； he would not have trusted him alone with
them； but this they had carefully concealed。
With a joyful heart； Joseph parted from his father； neither the aged man nor
the youth dreaming of what would
