A commentary of M. John Calvin, upon the book of Joshua finished a little…A commentarie of M. Iohn Caluine, vpon the booke of Iosue finished a little…

3 And I took your father, &c.) By this word is better confirmed, that which I taught before, that Abraham by his own virtue did not swim out of that deep gu•fe of ignorance and errors, but was brought out by the hand of God. For it is not said, that he ⟨p. 102⟩sought God of his own accord, but that he was taken away by him, and carried into another place. He amplifieth his benefices, in that he did marvellously preserve Abraham, in all his long pilgrimage. But that which followeth breedeth some doubt, that God multiplied the seed of Abraham: and yet gave him only Isaac: for there is no mention but of him. This comparison doth set forth the singular grace of God toward them, that when Abraham had many children, yet their father only kept the place of his lawful heir. In the same sense it is added soon after, that when Esau and Jacob were natural brethren, and twins, yet the one was taken, and the other refused. Wherefore we see how notably, as well in the person of Ismael and his brethren, as of Esau, he extolleth the mercy and goodness of God toward Jacob: as if he said, that his stock did not excel the other, but only because it pleased God so to accept him.

3 And I tooke your father, &c.) By this worde is better confirmed, that which I taught before, that Abraham by his owne vertue did not swimme out of that deepe gu•fe of ignorance and errors, but was brought out by the hand of God. For it is not said, that he ⟨p. 102⟩sought God of his owue accorde, but that he was taken away by him, and carried into another place. He amplifieth his benefices, in that he did meruellously preserue Abraham, in all his long pilgrimage. But that which followeth breedeth some doubt, that God multiplied the seede of Abraham: and yet gaue him onely Isaac: for there is no mention but of him. This comparison doth set foorth the singular grace of God towarde them, that when Abraham had many children, yet their father onely kept the place of his lawfull heire. In the same sense it is added soone after, that when Esau and Iacob were naturall brethren, and twinnes, yet the one was taken, and the other refused. Wherefore we see how notably, as well in the person of Ismael and his brethren, as of Esau, he extolleth the mercie and goodnesse of God towarde Iacob: as if he saide, that his stocke did not excell the other, but onely because it pleased God so to accept him.