The Watchtower Society and John and Morton Edgar - A2Z.org

ises, but being a "profane " or worldly person, he sold h isright to Jacob his brother. So, the Jewish nation had thefirst opportunity of becoming heir to God (here representedby Isaac), but being earthly they could not appreciatespiritual things, and tl~usold their birthright to theJacob class who became the spiritual Sons of God.From another standpoint: just as there were two literalnations composed of the descendants of Esau and Jacob,namely, the Edomites and the Israelites, both of whichdwelt in territory adjoining (Mount Seir, the country ofthe children of Esau, running from the south of Judeasouthward), so during the Gospel Age there have beentwo antitypical "nations" in the spiritual sense-anEdomite class who had the spiritual birthright as heirs ofGod, but who have sold it for earthly things; and the trueIsraelites indeed, who have supplanted the other class andhave thus by their faith in God's promises become heirsof all things. For this reason, God has said: "Jacob haveI loved, but Esau have I hated" (Rom. 9:13).When Isaac was bestowing his blessings upon Jacob, and Esau, he represented God in His attribute of justice'demanding a sacrifice. We read that Isaac was blind;and justice is personified by a human figure blindfolded,and having a sword in one hand, and balances in the other.Justice is impartial, and so long as things are rectified andmade equal (balanced), does not respect the person of theone who makes things equal. Thus, the justice of Godwas violated when Adam sinned, and therefore the penalty'of disobedience had to be paid. Jesus Christ offeredto sacrifice his human life as an off-set to Adam, and someet the demands of Justice. The "Esau" class had theopportunity of participating in this sacrifice (as representedby Isaac desiring his son Esau to bring him " savourymeat" such as his soul loved, that he might eat and besatisfied). But the account shows how Jacob, who had previouslybought the birthright from Esau, presented to his