are disturbed, and reason is confused, as is stated in Psalm 107:27:33 “They were at their wits’ end.” Jacob did not know what had happened to him except that his faith heard it being said: “The blessing does not pertain to you but to your brother Esau. You are nothing, etc.” Therefore he lives by the Word alone. His faith is very weak and likewise very strong. For when the flax is smoking, it is very close to burning (cf. Is. 42:3). He himself was in the greatest distress, because he will say