VINDICATING JACOB.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1968, 12 October 1888, Page 3

VINDICATING JACOB.

Mien Von Finkelstein, a native of Pal esline, who is leolnring just now to crowded aadlencss In Wellington on eastern life and customs, past and present, vlnd oatis Jacob, the Bun of hate, from the charge of being a thoroughly bad, unscrupulous, unfaithful, and unjast man, taking her ground upoi her intimato knowledge of the manners and customs of the descendants of the people amun^ whom he lived. That purchase of his brother Esau's " birthright" foe a " rneoß of pottage" has by very many people been oonsldered a damning p oof of Jaoub'e moral obliquity, but Misi Von Flnkelsteln explains th.U it wae a perfectly prop, r bargiln. This particular mosi of poltage, she eaj^f, was a diah of staved red lent!) beano, only partaken of on the ocoasir v of death m the family. It was the du'y oi the eldea.t ion m th> family to fait entirely upo:i the day when tb!a dish was prepared. Bat Esau, coming i- form the chase, and being a mau of more than ordinary salf-wlll, refused to fast and oondnot the usual re'igious cerem ml« s observed on that day. Hit brother Jaoob remonstrated w'th him, and reminded him of hiß dnty, but Ksau heedei him not. Then Jacob n strict accordance with the custom of hia people, said he would ohange plaoes with him — Eaau could tako up his life m the field, and he, Jacob, would undertake the management of the religious duties of tho family. This was, and is to-day, a common occurrence In the Eaer. It appears that Esau was agreeable to this, and ate of the pottage, Jacob taking by this aot his brother's birthright. Although this action h«,s been severely oritlolard by scepticj and others as being an unworthy act, yet It was a oaual omtona and porfeotly legitimate.