The History of Revelation — Isaac.
Abraham had seen his son Isaac married to his brother's granddaughter, and seen him in
possession of all earthly blessings: when he was called hence, to shine in a world more
bright than this, to receive the reward for a long life of action and usefulness. When
living, even the heathens called him "a prince of God," thus acknowledging his
divine mission; and dead — his memory has ever been revered, both by his descendants
and those who have joined them. After Abraham's death, Isaac followed his footsteps, and
like his father, he walked humbly before the Lord. The first, who was at eight days old
joined in the covenant, he lived to an age of a hundred and eighty years, in the same
manner, as unostentatious as his father had done before him; and though wealthy and much
esteemed, he yet knew that all earthly pomp is vain, and that labor is to man the
sweetest of all employments. Thus we find him engaged in agriculture, a careful husbandman
and a kind neighbor, even to those who had, without any good cause, offended, envied and
even expelled him from their country. And as soon as they came to him as friends, he
immediately forgot all animosity, and made the promises they desired of him. Who will not
admire so benevolent a being, who forgets an offence, whenever the offender seems to feel
contrition?
Isaac also followed his father in other respects, for he also erected altars and taught
the worships of God: and to him was repeated the promise made to Abraham, that his
descendants should be blessed for Abraham's sake; and thus we have already one
reason, why the Jews were chosen to be God's people.
But even on the brightest summer's day, the heavens are often darkened with clouds, and
so was it even with Isaac. His two sons, his only children, were at variance; he himself
had grown blind; and to add to his calamity, Esau had married two women, who caused him
and the meek Rebecca much heart-burning by their wickedness. His misfortunes did not rest
here: on account of the blessing, which his younger son Jacob received, he was obliged to
part with him, and many a year passed over his head, bereft of his child, who had to dwell
among strangers. But at length the sky again brightened, and pleasure revisited the
Patriarch's dwelling. Jacob returned from Mesopotamia with a numerous and blooming family,
all children of righteousness, to cheer Isaac's declining years, — the brothers had
been previously reconciled; and thus, after years of trouble and affliction, the aged
father had around him peace and contentment, and he also, like his excellent father
Abraham, laid down his head in the grave, honored and respected, happy in having fulfilled
his task, and glorying in having proclaimed the wonders of the Creator of the universe.
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