John 4:1-42 When therefore the LORD knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John,… In two different ways this had come into the hands of Jacob. First, he had purchased it from the "children of Humor," and then, when the Amorite invaded it, and took violent, unrighteous possession, he had, with his "sword and his bow," recovered it. The land thus belonged to Jacob by right of purchase and by right of conquest: it became the property of his son by gift, by inheritance, and by grateful acceptance on his part. Our spiritual Jacob has both purchased our inheritance and taken it out of the hand of the Amorite; so likewise He bestows it freely on His dear children and they gratefully receive it, and rejoice in it as their portion. Eternal life is at once the gift of God and the fruit of faith. It becomes ours according to His eternal purpose, and also by the faith which accepts it — such faith as that of Joseph. Joseph was in Egypt, apparently independent of Canaan. The time when he or his seed could claim the inheritance was far distant — four hundred years of dreadful bondage were included in the intervening period — but Joseph believed. "God will surely visit you," said he to his descendants, when he was dying, " and ye shall carry up my bones from hence." A similar faith had dictated the words of Jacob. "Beheld I die, but God shall be with you, and bring you again to the land of your fathers." A faith having the same origin, exercised against the same discouragements, and producing the same blessed fruits of patience, endurance, and hope, must be ours. (A. Beith, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, |
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