Let us cleave then to His blessing, and consider what are the means [4149] of possessing it. Let us think [4150] 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, [4151] with perfect confidence, as if knowing what was to happen, [4152] cheerfully yielded himself as a sacrifice. [4153] Jacob, through reason [4154] 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.

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Footnotes:

[4149] Literally, "what are the ways of His blessing."

[4150] Literally, "unroll."

[4151] Comp. James 2:21.

[4152] Some translate, "knowing what was to come."

[4153] Genesis 22:6-10.

[4154] So Jacobson: Wotton reads, "fleeing from his brother."