Sabbath School Department.
Lesson XVIII.—The Birthright.
How long had Isaac and Rebekah been married when Jacob and Esau were born? Gen. When these sons had grown to be men, what occupation did each prefer? One day as Esau was returning from the field with hunger, what did he ask of Jacob? Gen. 25:29, 30. What did Jacob say? Verse 31. What reply did Esau make? Why did Esau come to be in possession of the birthright? What did it secure to him? What mistake did Esau make that is common at the present time? How have many destroyed their prospects in this life, and perhaps for the life to come? What caused Isaac to go to Gerar? Gen. What did the Lord renew to him there? What instruction did he give him? How was Isaac prospered in that land? Why did the Philistines wish to drive him from the land? Gen. 26:16. What trouble did he have with them about the wells that he dug? Where did he finally settle? What may be learned from Isaac’s experience in this land? Isaac and Rebekah had no children till they had been married twenty years. They then had twin sons, Jacob and Esau. When these sons came to manhood, Jacob, like Abel, delighted in caring for his flocks, but Esau was a cunning hunter. One day when Esau had been out hunting and had taken nothing, he became very hungry, and, returning, he came to Jacob’s tent, and asked for some pottage which Jacob had cooking. Now Esau was older than Jacob,