Chapter I.
Having transitioned from the previous book to this one, it shows that the holy Jacob was also blessed in exile: and it demonstrates that the definition of blessedness is most fitting for him.
1. In the previous book, we discussed the precepts of virtue. Now let us utilize the examples of illustrious men who, placed in the highest dangers, did not lose the blessedness of life, but rather acquired it. Was not Jacob also blessed when he left his homeland? Indeed, he was truly blessed, as he undertook the hardships of exile in order to mitigate his brother's anger. For if he is blessed who avoids sin, certainly he cannot be denied blessedness who alleviates another's fault, turns away from crime. So he avoided the prepared parricide by voluntary exile, and by doing this he sought safety for himself and pardoned his innocent brother. Therefore, divine grace accompanied him everywhere, so that even when he slept, he acquired the gift of a blessed life. For he saw the mysteries of the future and heard divine oracles (Gen. XXVIII, 5, 12 and following). He was a good worker in his sleep, and rich in poverty, who obtained both inheritance and marriage through the same task of a hired life (Gen. XXIX, 22, 29 and following). The same brotherly affection, an excellent reconciler, competed with gifts and services (Gen. XXXII, 13 et seq.); in order to exclude all indignation, to avert the pain of offense, showing that he was not less in exile, who could give what he had not received.
But I hurry too much towards lower things and skip over more useful things, when first it must be defined what it means to be blessed. For it is written: Blessed is the man who has not walked in the counsel of the wicked, nor stood in the way of sinners, nor sat in the seat of the scornful (Psalm 1:1). With this Scripture signifying that he is blessed who separates himself from the company of the faithless (for it is impiety not to recognize as the author of life and a certain parent of salvation, if one either remains in sin or persists in luxury and lust), it also indicates that he who meditates in the law of the Lord day and night will be like a tree that will bear fruit in its season (Ibid., 2 and 3). The highest merits are the rewards, this is the reward of merits.
What of these things that pertain to the merit of beatitude was lacking to the holy Jacob, who was so far from the company of the wicked that from him the faithful people received their name, being called Israel (Gen. XXXII, 28) : because he beheld God with the eyes of his inner mind, abstaining from sin, sober from all lustful indulgence, to the extent that he absorbed himself in hard work and neglected the security of leisure? Is it not beautifully and truly said concerning him that he will also bear fruit in his own time, of which it is written: Behold, the smell of my son is as the smell of a full field (Gen. XXVII, 27) . For he was perfect in every flower of virtues, and exuded the grace of sacred blessing and heavenly bliss. He is indeed the field blessed by the Lord: not this earthly one, or rough with woods, or rocky with torrents, or marshy with stagnant waters, or barren of crops, or useless for vines, or infertile with stony gravel, or gaping and dry from drought, or soaked with blood, or uncultivated with thorns and brambles: but that field, of which the Church says in the Canticles: I have adjured you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the powers and fortitude of the field (Song of Solomon 2:7). For this is the field of which the Lord says: 'And the appearance of the field is with me' (Psalm 49:11). In this field is found that grape which, when pressed, shed blood and cleansed the world. In this field is that fig tree under which the saints will rest, refreshed by the sweetness of spiritual grace. In this field is that fruitful olive tree, flowing with the ointment of the Lord's peace. In this field flourish pomegranates, which cover many fruits under the protection of one foundation of faith and nourish them with the embrace of charity.
Therefore, Jacob enjoyed these fruits, who followed God through dangers and believed himself to be safe in His guidance everywhere. For although the smell of the field is sweet and pleasant, because it is the smell of nature, nevertheless it exhaled the grace of virtues in the holy Patriarch. How restrained was his moderation, who did not seek food prepared for himself, but immediately granted it to his brother who asked for it, from whom he received the primacy of blessings (Gen. 25:30 et seq.)! How pious he was toward his parents, so that he deserved to be prefered over his older maternal brother with affection, and be consecrated by the gift of paternal blessing (Gen. XXVII, 8 et seq.)! How religious, so as to refuse to harm his brother! How respectful, so as to fear disobeying his father! How honorable, so as not to deny his mother what was commanded!