"Jacob goes into exile. He has been compelled to flee the rage of his brother and to leave to the fratricide the blessing owed to him. The latter, however, has been placated by the very fact that the possessor of the blessing flees and leaves him in full possession of it for so many years. These matters in the God's administration are undoubtedly foolish and absurd to our eyes, namely, that the heir who is destined to be the stone at the head of the corner is rejected by the builders (Ps 118:22; Mt 21:42). He had been destined to be the ruler in the house, and the government of the house and the church was entrusted to him by God's authority. But to flee from and desert all this is not to have possession of the house or to govern the household and the church. Therefore reason concludes that in God's promise there are meaningless and empty words, because the realization does not follow but tends in the opposite and contrary direction.

 

"But these matters pertain to our doctrine; for theology is not philosophy, which looks at the things that are at hand, is inflated by prosperity, and is crushed when the same prosperity has been removed. Reason and all the Epicureans argue that God seems to be a liar, because He promises in a kindly manner and puts forth good words but gives things that are evil. He gives Jacob a blessing and, on the other hand, allows it to be taken away. On the contrary, Esau, who has been cursed, remains in the house with his children, his wives, and his whole relationship, and governs everything just as previously he was head of the household and a priest of the church. Jacob goes into exile and abandons his blessing. This indeed is the administration of God's business! The cornerstone must be rejected in order that we may learn to distinguish between divine and human government, and also that Jacob's blessing has not been lost, but that this is only a trial, to see whether he is willing to cling to it firmly in faith and to wait. For this way Abraham is also ordered to sacrifice his son, as though he were about to lose him (Gn 22:2). Soon, however, he recovers him with greater glory and profit (Gn 22:12). Thus David, after being anointed to be king (1Sa 16:13), lives in exile for ten years, is a servant of servants, and is king only in name and in accordance with the empty words which he heard from Samuel. Yet he holds out, and he perseveres in faith and expectation, until the outcome corresponds in richest abundance to the promise.

 

"This is the constant course of the church at all times, namely, that promises are made and that then those who believe the promises are treated in such a way that they are compelled to wait for things that are invisible, to believe what they do not see, and to hope for what does not appear. He who does not do this is not a Christian. For Christ Himself entered into His glory only by first descending into hell. When He is about to reign, He is crucified. When He is to be glorified, He is spit on. For He must suffer first and then at length be glorified."