Course 1, Chapter 25: The Messiah promised and prefigured — Third and fourth promises — Sixth figure of the Messiah- Jacob, (A. C. 1739.)

1. How did Abraham die?

Abraham, full of days and merits, died a holy death at the age of 175. He was interred by his two sons, Isaac and Ismael.

2. To which of the sons of Abraham was the third promise of the Messiah made?

The third promise of the Messiah was made to Isaac. The Lord said to him: / will multiply thy seed like the stars of heaven. . . . And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed. This shows us much more than the preceding promises, that in the family of Isaac we must look for the Messiah.

3. How many children had Isaac?

Isaac had two children, Esau and Jacob. God, who is the master of his gifts, chose Jacob, although the younger, to be the father of the Messiah.

4. On what occasion did God make to Jacob the promise of the Messiah?

Jacob, on his way to Mesopotamia to seek a wife amongst his relations, was overtaken by night in the midst of the desert. In his sleep he had. a dream, in which the Lord appeared to him and said: / am the Lord God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac; the land wJ/erein thou steepest I will give to thee and thy seed, and in thee and in thy seed all the tribes of the earth shall be blessed.

5. What do you remark on this promise?

On this promise I remark that it excludes Esau, and all the people descending from him, and that we must hereafter look for the Messiah among the posterity of Jacob.

84 CATECHISM OF PERSEVERANCE.

6. What did Jacob do on his arrival in Mesopcn tamia?

On his arrival in Mesopotamia, Jacob demanded his cousin Rachel in marriage; but it was not until after fourteen years of painful labor, that he obtained the consent of his uncle, Laban. lie afterwards setout with his family to return to his father, to whom he rendered the last rites.

7. Was Jacob a figure of our Lord?

Yes, Jacob is the sixth figure of our Lord. Jacob, to obey his father, went into a far distant country to seek for a spouse; our Lord, to obey his father, descended from heaven on earth to unite himself to the church, his spouse. Jacob, although very rich, setout alone, and had for his pillow nothing but a stone, found in the desert; our Lord, the master of all things, had not even a stone on which to lay his head. Jacob was obliged to labor a long time to obtain his spouse. Our Lord was obliged to undergo the most painful labors to form the church, his spouse. Jacob returned to his father, with his family; our Lord ascended to his Father, with all the saints of the ancient law, and opened heaven to all Chri3+ians, his children.