Abraham and his descendants were the chosen seed of God, yet not all were accepted of God. Of Abraham's sons only Isaac was chosen as the son of promise, and all the others were rejected. Of Isaac's family, Esau was rejected and Jacob was chosen to be the father of the tribes of God.

I. ESAU SUPPLANTED (Gen. 25:27-34; 27:1-40). Although God had foretold that to Jacob belonged the inheritance, Jacob is not justified in his impatience and deception to secure it. One day when Esau was weary and faint, Jacob bought the birthright for a mess of pottage. Then when Isaac was old and sick and blind, Jacob by the help of his mother deceived Isaac and obtained the blessing.

II. JACOB'S FLIGHT (Gen. 27:41-28:10). When Esau discovered how Jacob had cheated him he was filled with wrath and determined to kill him; so Jacob fled from Beersheba, after learning of his brother's murderous intent, and went towards Haran.

III. A NIGHT AT BETHEL (Gen. 28:11-22). On his way to Haran he came to Bethel, where he took stones for his pillow and slept, and while he slept the Lord gave him a vision of a ladder reaching from earth to heaven. Angels were ascending and descending this ladder, and at the top stood the Lord himself. The Lord made a covenant with Jacob, promising to give to him the land of Canaan and to make of his seed a great people in whom all nations should be blessed. In the morning Jacob erected a pillar and named the place Bethel, the House of God.

IV. JACOB'S FAMILY.— In Haran Jacob found a home with his uncle Laban. Jacob married his two daughters, Leah and Rachel and lived in Haran about forty years. Twelve sons, — Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, ZebuIon, Joseph and Benjamin, — were born to Jacob.

V. JACOB'S TROUBLES.

1. With Laban. — Laban had deceived Jacob in regard to Rachel, giving him Leah instead. For twenty years he worked without wages, and then he separated his flocks from Laban's. When Jacob prospered Laban became envious and his sons spoke harshly to Jacob; so Jacob with his family and his flocks stole away. Laban pursued them to Mizpah and there chided Jacob for stealing his gods. But they made a covenant of peace and each went his way (Gen. 31:1-55).

2. With Esau. — Esau had not forgotten how Jacob had taken his blessing; and when he heard that Jacob was coming down to Jabbok he gathered his servants and started to make war upon him. But Jacob sent messengers to sue for peace, and sent presents in order to reconcile his brother. That night he wrestled with the Lord in prayer and in the morning he met Esau in peace (Gen. 32:1 -33:16).

3. With his Sons. — When Jacob's sons grew up there arose strife in the family, between the sons of Leah and Joseph. Jacob showed his preference for Joseph and even bought for him a coat of many colors. The envy against Joseph grew so strong that one day they sold him to the Midianites and then dipped his coat in blood, carried it to their father and told him that wild beasts had devoured him. So Jacob in his old age was deceived just as he had deceived others.

QUESTIONS.

• Who were the chosen seed of God?

• Name those that were rejected.

• Who supplanted Esau?

• What did Esau get for his birthright?

• What was the blessing, and tell how it was given to Jacob?

• Why did Jacob have to leave his home?

• Describe the vision at Bethel.

• Where did Jacob get his wives? How long was he with Laban?

• Name the twelve sons of Jacob.

• With whom did Jacob have trouble?

• How was his trouble settled with his brother Esau?

• How long did Jacob wrestle with the Angel?

• What trouble was brought on Jacob by stopping at Shechem?

• What was the cause of jealousy in his family?

• How did Joseph, whom they sold, prove them?

• What effect had the sale on the father?

REVIEW.

I. Esau Supplanted.— Birthright— Blessing.

II. Jacob's Flight.

III. A Night at Bethel.— A Vision, a Covenant, a Pillar.

IV. Jacob's Family.— Forty Years, Twelve Sons.

V. Jacob's Troubles.

1. With Laban.

2. With Esau.

3. With his Sons.