Matthew Poole and continuators on Hosea 12:3

3 ¶ He took his brother by the heel in the womb , and by his strength he had power with God.

Iacob.

Esau.

The matter of Fact you have Gen. 25.26. the design of mentioning it in this place is to mind them of that Goodness which God shew'd to them in their Father Iacob who was by a Miracle foretold to be superior to Esau, that he and his should have the Birth-right, this should never be forgotten. The true Worship of God they should have preserved, since in the Priesthood, part of the Primogeniture it was included both as Priviledge and Duty; Justice and Equity they should have maintained as a flower of the Crown and Kingly Authority included in the Birth-right, and a double portion or share in God's blessings was theirs too. But all these blessings forfeited by their Apostacy, for which at once they should blush, repent, and humble themselves and at last remember their Primogeniture, and labour to recover to a temper worthy this their original. Iacob strove for the blessing in the womb, but you profanely neglect it in full age.

This strength was not of nature but of grace, a fruit of the divine Love and Election, strength from God.

Strength received of God was well imployed betimes, in it he wrestled for and obtain'd the blessing. But you let it slip out of your hands, and sin it away. There was somewhat of Heroic, a Conqueror from his Birth, but you are Revolters from the womb.

Marginal references: G[illegible: 2 letters]. [illegible: 1 letter].; Heb. [illegible: 1 span]; [illegible: 1 span] &c.