Page:A Jewish Interpretation of the Book of Genesis (Morgenstern, 1919, jewishinterpreta00morg).pdf/250

Rh ;

The Book of Ucucsis

2X2.

XVI

Lesson

A FATHER'S BLESSING

"Bless me, even

me

(Genesis

XXVII)

O my

father."

also,

(Genesis

XXVII,

34 and

38.)

A

wise son maketh a glad father But a foolish son is the grief of

Read Psalm XXIV,

The in

his

mother.

(Proverbs X.

1.)

3-5.

story of Isaac's blessing carries us one stage further

the unfolding of the Jacob drama.

It

completes the open-

two brothers, and the presentation of the problem with which the drama deals. The iniquitous conduct and selfish and deceitful nature of Jacob are clearly portrayed, and the question is suggested, "Can Jacob be purified of his evil inclination, and be made The fit for, and worthy of the birthright; and if so, how?" succeeding acts of the drama offer the positive answer to ing picture of

the

relations

of

the

this question.

The

story

of the birthright pictured Jacob as a

selfish

schemer, ready to take advantage of another's weakness and to drive a hard bargain, and tliat other his twin Yet the entire transaction was strictly within the law, and Jacob had nominally given full value for what he had received. The story of Isaac's blessing reveals the full

nee-d,

and

brother.

possibilities

He

of Jacob's evil nature.

is

guilty

of

a

greater far than that of selfishness and unbrotherliness. is

sin

He

ready to deceive a blind, helpless, trusting father, to rob

an innocent brother of that which

is

dearest to

him

in

life. \n