Isaac trembled, &c.— It may appear extraordinary, that Isaac should be so exceedingly alarmed at this event, and yet confirm what he had done; not withdrawing the blessing, so deceitfully gained: I have blessed him, yea, and he shall be blessed. To the common answers taken from Isaac's being convinced of the Divine interposition, &c. I would add, that every attentive reader must discern, what a great difference in sense the signs of the future, shall or will, make in our language; a difference to which the future tense in other languages is a stranger: indeed very often much depends upon the proper application of these signs. In the present case, instead of shall, read will; and you must immediately observe, that the passage will have another, and a very just sense; yea, and he WILL be blessed. God will give him the blessing; it is his design, and I cannot reverse it. Shuckford is of opinion, that the prophetic Spirit of God at that moment enlightened Isaac's mind, and shewed him God's will.

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