Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/117

 will the  first  birthright  avail  me?”  Jacob  answered:  “Swear, therefore, to  me.”  Esau  swore  and  sold  his  birthright. And taking bread  and  the  mess  of  pottage,  he  ate  and  drank  and  went away, making  little  account  of  having  sold  his  birthright.

Now Isaac  was  old  and  had  lost  his  eyesight. One day  he called  Esau,  his  son,  and  said  to  him:  “My  son,  thou  seest  I am old,  and  I know  not  the  day  of  my  death. Take thy  arms,  thy quiver and  bow,  and  go  abroad ;  and  when  thou  hast  taken something by  hunting,  make  me  savoury  meat  thereof,  as  thou knowest I like,  and  bring  it  that  I may  eat,  and  my  soul  may bless thee  before  I die.”  Esau  promptly  obeyed  the  command  of his  father,  and  went  to  the  fields  to  hunt. Rebecca had  overheard the  words  of  Isaac,  and  fearing  that,  contrary  to  the  will of God,  Esau  might  be  preferred  to  Jacob,  she  said  to  him: “Now, my  son,  follow  my  counsel. Go to  the  flock  and  bring me two  of  the  best  kids,  that  I may  make  of  them  meat  for  thy father, such  as  he  gladly  eateth;  so  that,  after  having  eaten  it, he may  bless  thee  before  he  die.”  Jacob  hastened  to  the  flock and brought  two  kids. Rebecca prepared  them  as  though  they were game,  and  then  clothed  Jacob  in  Esau’s  best  garments,  and covered his  neck  and  hands  with  the  skin  of  the  kids,  and  sent him to  his  father  with  the  meats  she  had  prepared. Isaac asked: “Who art  thou,  my  son?”  Jacob  answered:  “I  am  Esau,  thy first-born; I have  done  as  thou  hast  commanded;  arise,  sit,  and eat of  my  venison  that  thy  soul  may  bless  me.”  Isaac  said  again: