CHAPTER II.

ISAAC, THE SON OF ABRAM, AND HIS

WIFE REBEKAH.

"Like Father, like son"-"a chip of the old block," so to speak, seems to have been the case of Isaac, the son of Abram. Since the Lord so favored Abram for the life he led, it is no wonder that Isaac "followed his father's footsteps." For we find this gallant specimen of the early Jewish Fathers ready to do the same degrading and despicable act with his "fair to look upon" wife, Rebekah, as his father Abram did to his mother Sarai. No complaint here for lack of

filial devotion.

saying goes.

He ran "true to form" as the

For proof I quote Genesis, Chapter 26, Verses 1-7.

And there was a famine in the land, besides the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went unto Abimelech king of the Philistines unto Gerar.

2 And the LORD appeared unto him, and said, Go not down into Egypt: dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of.

3 Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee: for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father;

4 And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed:

5 Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.

6 And Isaac dwelt in Gerar.

7 And the men of the place asked him of his wife; and he said, She is my sister: for he feared to say, She is my wife; lest, said he, the men of the place should kill me for Rebekah; because she was fair to look upon.

Besides Isaac inheriting his father's tendencies and following in his footsteps, he also inherited his father's ability to select pretty women. Rebekah was as "fair to look upon" as was Sarai. and it seems that both women were so fascinating that wherever they went other men coveted them. Isaac, as well as Abraham,* was ready and willing to prostitute his wife for protection to himself.

Genesis, Chapter 26, Verses 8-11.

* Abram, is now spelled Abraham in the Bible.

8 And it came to pass, when he had been there a long time, that Abimelech king of the Philistines looked out at a window, and saw, and, behold, Isaac was sporting with Rebekah his wife.

9 And Abimelech called Isaac, and said, Behold, of a surety she is thy wife: and how saidst thou, She is my sister? And Isaac said unto him, Because I said, Lest I die for her.

10 And Abimelech said, What is this thou hast done unto us? one of the people might lightly have lain with thy wife, and thou shouldest have brought guiltiness upon us.

11 And Abimelech charged all his people, saying, He that toucheth this man or his wife shall surely be put to death.

In Biblical times there was less occasion for the ingenuity of "peeping Toms." Houses were not built as they are to-day. Provisions for privacy were somewhat lacking. Windows and window shades were luxuries that were to be enjoyed at a much later and Pagan period.

Despite the fact that Isaac "deceived" King 'Abimelech as to the true relationship of Rebekah, the King nevertheless must have found it quite amusing to watch Isaac sporting with her. Abimelech significantly remarks: "Of a surety she is thy wife." What sport could a man and woman "play" so that another person can "for

a surety" classify them as man and wife? The word "sporting" as used in this connection cannot fail of its intended meaning.

What a fine situation does this pretty story present to put before an inquiring and inquisitive child! Fond Parents, suppose you had taught your child to revere the Bible, and your child, being dutiful, read it for "inspiration and guidance." Suppose he chanced upon this delightful story, and being unable to grasp the subtle meaning of the word sporting as used in this connection, came to you for an explanation? What answer would you give your child? Would you deliberately lie to him and say that they were kissing each other; or would you more properly caution your child against reading a book which contained a story with such an inference. Wouldn't you consider a book that contained such a suggestive narrative utterly unfit for your child's reading?

Or is it that you yourselves are totally ignorant of what the Bible contains, and, like the rest of mankind, accept it because it has been handed down from generation to generation?

Any one who has the Bible in his home has

a very questionable book in his household, and he should not be dismayed if any of his children follow the examples that are found therein.

But back to the Biblical characters for a moment, and let us engage this moment in reflection. There has been a great misunderstanding about the Bible. Instead of admiring and exalting the characters we are told to revere, we should admire and exalt the characters we are told were heathens.

Is not in this story the character of Abimelech more sterling and elevating than that of Isaac? Does he not chide Isaac for deception when he discovers that Rebekah is his wife and not his sister? Does he not censure him for the great harm he might have brought upon her? Should we admire a man who is willing to sacrifice his wife to save himself and condemn another who seeks to protect her? The ninth and tenth verses quoted in this story should be blazoned forth to all the land as an example of an unprincipled character in contrast to that of a man of sterling integrity. The severe reprimand given Isaac by Abimelech when he said: "What is this thou has done unto us? One of the people might lightly have lain with thy wife, and thou shouldest have