Chapter XXXI.—Let Us See by What Means We May Obtain the Divine Blessing.

Let us cleave then to His blessing, and consider what are the means^41494149    Literally, “what are the ways of His blessing.” of possessing it.  Let us think^41504150    Literally, “unroll.” over the things which have taken place from the beginning.  For what reason was our father Abraham blessed?  Was it not because he wrought righteousness and truth through faith?  Isaac,^41514151    Comp. James ii. 21. with perfect confidence, as if knowing what was to happen,^41524152    Some translate, “knowing what was to come.” cheerfully yielded himself as a sacrifice.^41534153    Gen. xxii. 6–10.  Jacob, through reason^41544154    So Jacobson:  Wotton reads, “fleeing from his brother.” of his brother, went forth with humility from his own land, and came to Laban and served him; and there was given to him the sceptre of the twelve tribes of Israel.