"But unto the sons of the concubines, which Abraham had, Abraham gave gifts, and sent them away from Isaac his son, while he yet lived, eastward, unto the east country" (Genesis 25:6).
Sweet distinction, in comparing this verse with the former.
Providential mercies are one thing: Gracious gifts are another.
Reader! if Jesus be your portion, in possessing Him, you possess all; 1 Corinthians 3:22-23.
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"And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright" (Genesis 25:31).
See Deuteronomy 21:16-17.
Spiritually considered this is truly interesting.
See Hebrews 12:15-16.
And doth not every carnal man the same, who barters Jesus and the blessings in Him, for the husks of the world?
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It is hardly possible to close our view of the life of Abraham without blessing God for such an illustrious testimony as his history affords of the triumph of faith.
Lord, I would say, give to me a double portion of the same spirit!
But do we not behold in the Patriarch some faint outlines of resemblance of Him, who according to the flesh, was in after ages to be his seed?
Was not Abraham, as the chosen of God, and the covenant head and father of millions of redeemed souls, a lively type of that Almighty Saviour who was set up as the Covenant Head of His people; and the One chosen of the Father before all worlds, in whom all nations are blessed?
It is said that by faith the Patriarch, when he was called of God to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed and went out, not knowing whither he went.
And do we not from hence call to mind the obedience of the Son of God, who left the realms of bliss and came down a stranger in this strange land, that all His people might afterwards, through Him, receive the gift of an eternal inheritance?
Blessed Jesus! May every thing of a gracious nature in Thy holy Word lead me to discover somewhat of Thyself, that while I admire and learn to praise God for the exercise of the faith and grace which I behold among men, I may be looking up, with gratitude and thankfulness unto Thee, who art both the Author and Giver of Faith, and of all our Mercies.
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