And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob.
Ver. 41. And Esau hated Jacob, &c.] Because God said, "Jacob have I loved." And, as all hatred is bloody, he resolves to be his death. "The righteous is abomination to the wicked," saith Solomon. Pro 29:27 Moab was irked because of Israel, or, did fret and vex at them, Num 22:3-4 who yet passed by them in peace. But the old Serpent had set his limbs in them, transfused his venom into them: hence that deadly hatred that is and will be betwixt the godly and the wicked. Pliny speaks of the scorpion, that there is not one minute wherein he doth not put forth the sting: so doth that serpentine seed, acted by Satan. The panther so hates man, that he flies upon the very picture of a man, and tears it to pieces. So doth Satan and his imps upon the image of God, in whomsoever they find it. They "satanically hate me," saith David Psa 35:19 of his enemies. And seest thou thy persecutor full of rage? saith Bernard; know thou, that he is spurred on by the devil that rides him, a that acts and agitates him. Eph 2:2
And Esau said in his heart.] Effutiverat etiam minaces voces; he had also bolted out some suspicious speeches, as our gunpowder traitors did whereby he was prevented.
The days of mourning for my father.] No matter for his mother: yet God saith, "Ye shall fear every man his mother and his father". Lev 19:3 The mother is first mentioned, because usually most slighted. Luther thinks, he threateneth his father also, in these words; as if he should say, I will be avenged, by being the death of my brother, though it be to the breaking of my father's heart. b A bloody speech of a vindictive spirit, whom nothing would satisfy, but to be a double parricide.
I will slay my brother.] But threatened men live long: for even Isaac, who died soonest, lived above forty years beyond this. "My times are in thy hand," saith David. Psa 31:15
a Scito quia ab ascensore suo daemone perurgetur. - Bern.
b Vindicabo me afferendo Patri luctum caede fratris. - Luth.