Most interesting is the whole week's lesson of the special providences of God, over the progenitors of the promised Seed. What a culminating lesson of faith is chapter 22, confirmed by the immutable promise and oath of God! In chapter 23 is a sample of Eastern duplicity. The children of Heth said they would give the land, but expecting that Abraham would reward them munificently; but when he compels them to name the price, they ask more than it is worth — about $250. Chapter 24 shows the piety, unselfishness, and faithfulness of Abraham's trusted servant. "I being in the way, the Lord led me."
Chapter 25 is a chapter of genealogies; it tells of the death of Abraham, the probable last meeting of Isaac and Ishmael, and a forecast of the characters of Esau and Jacob. Note how God worked for Isaac when he refused to contend for his rights, but committed his cause to God.
Chapters 27 to 31 record the checkered and unsatisfactory experiences of Esau and Jacob; Jacob's selfish plottings, and his consequent suffering. He overreached, supplanted, and himself met overreaching. God's providence, tho seeming slow, brings retribution sooner or later.
We turn from the checkered career of Jacob to prayers and assurances of another tried soul — David. Surely we may close the week's lesson in ascribing to Jehovah, "How excellent is Thy name in all the earth."
