Original Douay–Rheims AnnotationsGenesis 25

To the children of his concubines.

^[1] S. Augustin (li. 16. c. 34. de civit.) sheweth that both Agar and Cetura, being Abraham's lawful wives (for so they are called in holy Scripture) are also called concubines, because they had not like privileges to Sara, whose son was sole heir to his father, and the children of the others had only gifts (or moveable goods) not attaining to the promised Kingdom. And all this for mystery sake. For Ismael signified the carnal people before Christ, the children of Cetura prefigured Heretics ^[2], who suppose themselves to pertain to the new Testament, but are separated no less than the Jews from Christ's Kingdom. And albeit there was also another particular reason why Agar was called concubine, because she was a second wife the first then living, yet this learned father saith, he did not see why Cetura, being married after the death of Sara, should be called concubine, but only for this Mystery.

• 1 Why Agar and Cetura being lawful wives are called concubines.
• 2 Their children signified Pagans and Heretics.

Heard him.

Notwithstanding God's assured promise, that Isaac should have issue (Gen. 21. v. 12.) yet he prayeth instantly for the same. And Moyses here attributeth Rebecca's conceiving to Isaac's prayer. ^◦ Whereby we see that God's foreseeing, predestinating, and promising, exclude not, but indeed include secondary causes, and ordinary means, by which his eternal will and pleasure is fulfilled. For as God did foresee that Rebecca should have children, so he did foresee that Isaac should pray for it, and obtain it; and the one was as sure to come to pass as the other. And the same consequence is true concerning eternal life as S. Gregory teacheth li. 1. c. 8. Dialog.

• ◦ God's predestination & foreseeing include, & not exclude the means by which his will is done.

The elder shall serve the younger.

^[1] As before (c. 17. v. 21. and c. 21. v. 12.) the covenant and great promises made to Abraham's seed, are declared to pertain only to Isaac, and not to Ismael, nor to the other brothers; so the same belong not to Esau the elder, but only to Jacob the younger son of Isaac, the Holy Ghost saying, The elder shall serve the younger. And withal signifieth (saith S. Augustin) ^[2] that the elder people of the Jews shall serve the younger Christian people. For although it may be understood literally to be fulfilled, in that the Idumeans coming of Esau were subdued by King David coming of Jacob ^[3]; yet it is more conveniently believed, that this prophecy tended to a greater thing. And what is this, but that which is evidently fulfilled in the Jews and Christians?

• 1 The covenant made to Abraham pertained only to Isaac and Jacob, not to the rest of his issue.
• 2 li. 16. c. 35. civit.
• 3 2. Reg. 8. Psal. 59.

Another great document of grace S. Paul gathereth upon this Mystery: that the twins being not yet born, nor having done any thing good or evil, without any good merits the younger is elected, the elder reprobate ^{[1] [2]}. For doubtless (saith S. Augustin) touching original sin they were both equal, and concerning proper sin, neither of them had any at all. By which example he sheweth God's mere mercy in the elect, and justice in the reprobate, as is more largely noted in the English New Testament, upon the ninth chapter to the Romans.

• 1 God's mere mercy in electing any, his justice to the reprobate
• 2 Rom. 9.

Sell me thy first-birth right.

Jacob instructed by his mother, that God had chosen him in place of his brother Esau (for to her God had revealed that the elder should serve the younger) ^◦ did lawfully use this opportunity to get Esau's grant of the right pertaining to the first-born, but Esau in selling it sinned, shewing himself an intemperate profane man. Heb. 12.

• ◦ Jacob lawfully bought, but Esau sinned in selling the first-birth-right.