Chapter XXXI.—Let us see by what...

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 124 of possessing it. Let us think 125 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? 126 Isaac, with perfect confidence, as if knowing what was to happen, 127 cheerfully yielded himself as a sacrifice. 128 Jacob, through reason 129 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.