(Continued. from p. 485, vol. 5.)
V. 1. "BLESSED him."-Voluntarily confirmed
to him the blessing which he had before obtained
by subtilty.
V.4. Blessing of Abraham."-Not only the
inheritance of the land of Canaan, but that God
should be his God, and that the promised Messiah
should be of his seed:-in short, all those privileges
mentioned in Rom. ix. 4, 5.
V.6-9. Esau took this step to please his father
and mother, but in no part of his conduct does he
appear to have been influenced by a regard to the
will of God. He was one of those common cha-
racters, whose first object is their own gratification,
but who, when it does not too much contradict
their own inclinations, are willing to please others.
But their kindness just depends on the humour of
the moment:-it is not that Christian love, spoken
of by the apostle, (1 Cor. xiii. 4, 5.)" which suffereth
long, and is kind; and seeketh not her own."
V. 10-12. "Who is a God like unto thee, that
pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression
of the remnant of his heritage? He retaineth not
his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.