Page:A Jewish Interpretation of the Book of Genesis (Morgenstern, 1919, jewishinterpreta00morg).pdf/244

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TJic

Book of Genesis

he must later appear as the hero of the drama, our sympathies are with him, and we feel an almost irresistible impulse to palliate his

m whatever way w^e can. Many text-books and many teachers do this, but it is a serious mistake. Certainly the compilers depicted Jacob as they did for very definite reasons. And to present him otherwise is not only to take unwarranted liberties, but also to miss the poini; of the story entirely. It might tend to encourage the children to excuse their own selfish and wicked conduct in the most sophistic ways. However, the teacher must be careful not to overdo the picture and paint Jacob too black. His virtues and the possibilities of his character should also be properly dwelt upon. A timely hint may also be thrown out that this is only our ifirsft acquaintance with Jacob, and that later he changed completely. It may also be suggested that he had to pay dearly for his sin of selfishness and lack of brotherly feeling. Of this the children will hear later. It will serve to whet their curiosity and interest. offense

It might be asked, why did not God make Esau a good and noble man from the very beginning, or at least make Jacob so? The rabbis anticipated this question. It might in fact be answered by the equally appropriate question, why did not God create men so that they would always do right and enjoy happiness? God has, we know, purposely

created

man

as

become

he

is,

in

order that he

may

be

forced to

and not be perfect unavoidably, and without ambition or effort on his part. Perfection must be worked for and striven for. And still, even if men are not perfect, God does not reject them nor refuse to use them for His purposes. If we have a broken tool, yet need it for our work, ye first mend it and then use it. It was so with Jacob. He was the very tool which God selected, to carry on the mission of service for which He had called Abraham. And just because he was not perfect, we shall see that God mended him hrst, or rather helped him to mend himself, and then at last, when he was ready and fit, used him for His purpose of blessing. strive

to

One thought The Book

perfect,

in

])articular

of Ecclesiastes savs

this

story

of

Jacob suggests.