Gods Sabbath

172

E NTERING INTO G OD ’ S S ABBATH R EST

Correct Procedures

Building of God’s Kingdom

Faith

wife, because she was barren. The L ORD answered his prayer, and his wife Rebekah became pregnant. The babies jostled each other within her, and she said, ‘Why is this happening to me?’ So she went to inquire of the L ORD . The L ORD said to her, ‘Two na tions are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.’” Genesis 25:20–23. As the boys matured, they exhibited entirely different in terests and developed contrasting characters. “The boys grew up, and Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the open country, while Jacob was a quiet man, staying among the tents.” Genesis 25:27. Revealing an unwise preference, Isaac loved his first-born Esau more than his brother. On the other hand, Rebekah loved Jacob more because of his commitment to things of eternal worth. “And Isaac loved Esau because he ate of his game, but Rebekah loved Jacob.” Genesis 25:28 (NKJV). The reason given for the preference Isaac had for Esau was that “he ate of his game”. This indicates that Isaac allowed his feelings to dominate his reason in this matter. Such sen timentalism is confirmed in the following description of the situation. “Esau grew up loving self-gratification, and centering all his interest in the present. Impatient of restraint, he delighted in the wild freedom of the chase, and early chose the life of a hunt er. Yet he was the father’s favorite. The quiet, peace-loving shep herd was attracted by the daring and vigor of this elder son, who fearlessly ranged over mountain and desert, returning home with game for his father and with exciting accounts of his adven turous life ... The great lesson Abraham learned from the birth of Isaac was that only through faith and correct procedures can God's kingdom be built.