mother's death. And Abraham gave all that he ha unto Isaac, and died in a good old age, and was buried in the cave of Machpelah with Sarah his wife.

The chief thing to be laid to heart, as a lesson, in this chapter is, the wonderful faith of Abraham. He always trusted with his whole heart in God. When God promised him a son in his old age, he believed at once. And when, again, God told him to take that beloved son, and to offer him up as a burntoffering, Abraham still did not doubt, but was ready at once to do God's will. See, too, the strict obedience of Isaac. He was ready, in a moment, to lay down his life at his father's word. How glad both Abraham and Isaac must have been, however, when the angel called from heaven, and they saw the ram that was to be offered up instead. Abraham's servant, Eliezer, also, had learnt from his master Abraham to love and trust in God. So powerful is a good example.

What was the name of Sarah's maid, and of her son ?
What happened to Hagar and to Ishmael?

How did God try the faith of Abraham?

Was Isaac obedient to his father?

Who was Rebekah, and what relation to Abraham?

How did Eliezer know that God had chosen Rebekah for Isaac's wife?

How old was Sarah when she died, and where was she buried?

Jacob is Blessed by Esaac.

SAU, the first of Isaac's sons
His right of birth despised;
And for a mess of pottage, sold
The gift he should have prized.

And Jacob, later Israel called,
Desiring to be first,

When Esau begged for pottage, took
Advantage of his thirst.

A cunning hunter Esau grew,
And goats and venison killed;
Jacob, his mother's favourite, fed
The flocks, or meadows tilled.

When Isaac now grew old, and blind,
Thinking he soon should die,
He longed to bless his elder son,
And called for Esau nigh.

But Jacob claimed with subtilty
His elder brother's right;
Then, fearing Esau's vengeance, took
From home and parents flight.

But God, in dreams, consoled him stil!
And blessed his life and store,

Till, after many a weary year,
He brought him home once more.

D

G

CHAPTER V.

The Birth of Esau and Jacob. The blessing of Isaac to Jacob. Jacob's flight from home, and return thither.

JOW Rebekah and Isaac had two sons, the first was red all over like a hairy garment, and they called his name Esau. And his brother's name was Jacob.

And the boys grew, and Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field. And Jacob was a plain man, dwelling in tents. And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison, but Rebekah loved Jacob.

And Jacob made some pottage, and Esau came from the field, and he was faint.

And Esau said to Jacob, feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage, for I am faint.

And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright. And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die, and what profit shall this birth-right do to me? and he sold his birth-right unto Jacob.

Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentils; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birth-right.

And it came to pass, that when Isaac was old, and his eyes were dim, so that he could not see, he called Esau, his eldest son, and he said, Behold, here I am.

Story of Stories.]

ISAAC BLESSING JACOB.