As I begin to read this chapter, I guess I’m a little surprised to be reminded that after Abraham’s beloved wife, Sarah, passed away he marries again, at least Chapter 25, verse 1 says Abraham took another wife. Later in scripture Keturah is called Abraham’s concubine (verse 6 – were there other concubines?) and then look up I Chronicles 1:32, once again Keturah is called a concubine. There is a reminder in my commentary that these marital irregularities are recorded but not condoned by God. Keturah was a “lesser” wife and evidently did not have the full privileges of a wife in the home. Now let’s think about this. If Sarah is dead, can’t Abraham just remarry? Why take a concubine? For this I have no answer. And he didn’t just marry; he had a lot of kids. Now if you recall, Abraham was approximately 100 years old when Isaac was born and now, in the first four verses of this chapter, take a look at the names and number of descendents he is continuing to father. And more astounding is not the note that he leaves everything to Isaac, but that he gave gifts to the sons of his concubines, but he sent them away from Isaac to another land.
You know what this reminds me of? Joseph and that Technicolor coat made for him by his father while twelve other brothers looked on. Now I am aware that Isaac is the heir, but I’m still trying to understand why all the overt actions that places Isaac on a pedestal in the presence of the other sons? However, at the end of Abraham’s life, who comes back to help Isaac bury their father? Ishmael. After being sent away with his mother years ago, Ishmael pays his respect to his father. Although scripture doesn’t say it, I’d like to think Abraham kept tabs on this boy just as the comment is written in scripture that he gave gifts to the other sons born to him. Abraham lives to be 175 years old and he is buried with his wife, Sarah, in the cave of Machpelah near Mamre.
Scripture at this point in Chapter 25 lists all the sons of Ishmael. Ishmael lived 137 years and had twelve sons that fulfill scripture as told to his father, “He will be the father of twelve rulers and I will make him into a great nation.” (Chapter 17:20) Ishmael was buried or “gathered” to his people near the border of Egypt. Recall his mother, Hagar, returned to Egypt when she was set off on her own with Ishmael after the birth of Isaac. Hagar was told by God when she was pregnant with Ishmael, “He will be a wild donkey of a man; his hand will be against everyone and everyone’s hand against him, and he will live in hostility toward all his brothers.” At the conclusion of these verses upon Ishmael’s death scripture reads, “And they lived in hostility toward all their brothers.” Scripture will be fulfilled, my friends.
Then we are introduced in scripture to the two sons of Isaac, Jacob and Esau. Evidently, Rebekah was barren approximately twenty years and Isaac prayed for God to open her womb. That prayer God granted because Rebekah became pregnant with twins. The twins were recorded as “jostling” within her and she questions God what is going on with these babies. And the Lord gives her a message concerning their future. “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.” Now, to my knowledge, Rebekah doesn’t repeat what she has been told. Wonder why? The firstborn would inherit a double portion of his father’s possessions, become the head of the family or tribe, and in this particular case become an ancestor of the coming Messiah. Quite a birthright, wouldn’t you think?
Upon their birth, Esau was the firstborn son, the hairy one and came out appearing red while Jacob was second and was holding onto Esau’s heel. I read somewhere that Jacob means “heel grabber”. However, Esau was a man’s man, an outdoorsman and quite the skilled hunter. Jacob was more of the stay at home, mild mannered type and that struck a soft chord with Rebekah, while Isaac loved Esau. Those parental feelings will prove noteworthy as the story of these boys unfolds.
We end our study with a pivotal incident that occurs between Esau and Jacob. Seems like a simple little story, but this narrative has far-reaching consequences. Esau returns from hunting and is starved. Jacob is cooking some red stew and Esau wants it now. Jacob agrees to give it to him, but for a price….Esau’s birthright. Esau thinks about the offer for maybe five seconds and says what good is the birthright if he dies from hunger, so he agrees. The birthright is now in Jacob’s possession.
Okay, let’s back up. First, if these were my kids and I know what the meaning of a birthright entitles the older child, I’d almost step in and say, “This is ridiculous give your brother his birthright back. He hunts and you cook the results. That doesn’t entitle you to receive payment for your part of the meal!” But I wasn’t there and I don’t know exactly what happened, but I do know what occurred in the womb was being played out in Rebekah’s kitchen that day.
The birthright was not to be used carelessly as a pawn on a chess board. Jacob valued the birthright and it appears Esau did not, at least his actions suggest as much. Did Jacob truly understand the significance of having a place in the godly heritage or did he want the double portion of his father’s possessions knowing he wasn’t the rugged, go-getter type? Did Esau really despise his birthright or did he assume he’d get it back in the end regardless of this sudden decision based on hunger? Whatever transpired in the kitchen that day began years of bitterness between Esau’s descendents, the Edomites and Jacob’s descendents, the Israelites with their final destiny recorded in the book of Obadiah.
Thank you, Lord, for another great chapter of study from the book of Genesis. We continually learn valuable lessons provided by men and women of long ago and how you expect us to conduct our behavior. Father, help us to be good role models in our marriages. Continue to aid us in parenting our children overseeing their actions with one another. May they grow to love and respect one another as you have loved us. And may we always give you honor and glory for everything we are and everything we have. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
For next week: Please read Chapter 26 and ponder the following questions:
1. Isaac repeats a few of his father's mistakes. What specifically does he do that reminds you of Abraham's previous behavior?
2. As you read the events surrounding the digging of wells, Isaac is continually being asked to move because he finds water and Abimelech's people aren't as fortunate. The Philistines and the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled over the water supply which apparently was abundant for Isaac and company, but not for them. What correlation can you make with this issue as it relates to our spiritual lives?
3. Verses 34 and 35 give a little insight into the man Esau is becoming. As you read the last verse of this chapter what do you surmise about this situation?
You know what this reminds me of? Joseph and that Technicolor coat made for him by his father while twelve other brothers looked on. Now I am aware that Isaac is the heir, but I’m still trying to understand why all the overt actions that places Isaac on a pedestal in the presence of the other sons? However, at the end of Abraham’s life, who comes back to help Isaac bury their father? Ishmael. After being sent away with his mother years ago, Ishmael pays his respect to his father. Although scripture doesn’t say it, I’d like to think Abraham kept tabs on this boy just as the comment is written in scripture that he gave gifts to the other sons born to him. Abraham lives to be 175 years old and he is buried with his wife, Sarah, in the cave of Machpelah near Mamre.
Scripture at this point in Chapter 25 lists all the sons of Ishmael. Ishmael lived 137 years and had twelve sons that fulfill scripture as told to his father, “He will be the father of twelve rulers and I will make him into a great nation.” (Chapter 17:20) Ishmael was buried or “gathered” to his people near the border of Egypt. Recall his mother, Hagar, returned to Egypt when she was set off on her own with Ishmael after the birth of Isaac. Hagar was told by God when she was pregnant with Ishmael, “He will be a wild donkey of a man; his hand will be against everyone and everyone’s hand against him, and he will live in hostility toward all his brothers.” At the conclusion of these verses upon Ishmael’s death scripture reads, “And they lived in hostility toward all their brothers.” Scripture will be fulfilled, my friends.
Then we are introduced in scripture to the two sons of Isaac, Jacob and Esau. Evidently, Rebekah was barren approximately twenty years and Isaac prayed for God to open her womb. That prayer God granted because Rebekah became pregnant with twins. The twins were recorded as “jostling” within her and she questions God what is going on with these babies. And the Lord gives her a message concerning their future. “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.” Now, to my knowledge, Rebekah doesn’t repeat what she has been told. Wonder why? The firstborn would inherit a double portion of his father’s possessions, become the head of the family or tribe, and in this particular case become an ancestor of the coming Messiah. Quite a birthright, wouldn’t you think?
Upon their birth, Esau was the firstborn son, the hairy one and came out appearing red while Jacob was second and was holding onto Esau’s heel. I read somewhere that Jacob means “heel grabber”. However, Esau was a man’s man, an outdoorsman and quite the skilled hunter. Jacob was more of the stay at home, mild mannered type and that struck a soft chord with Rebekah, while Isaac loved Esau. Those parental feelings will prove noteworthy as the story of these boys unfolds.
We end our study with a pivotal incident that occurs between Esau and Jacob. Seems like a simple little story, but this narrative has far-reaching consequences. Esau returns from hunting and is starved. Jacob is cooking some red stew and Esau wants it now. Jacob agrees to give it to him, but for a price….Esau’s birthright. Esau thinks about the offer for maybe five seconds and says what good is the birthright if he dies from hunger, so he agrees. The birthright is now in Jacob’s possession.
Okay, let’s back up. First, if these were my kids and I know what the meaning of a birthright entitles the older child, I’d almost step in and say, “This is ridiculous give your brother his birthright back. He hunts and you cook the results. That doesn’t entitle you to receive payment for your part of the meal!” But I wasn’t there and I don’t know exactly what happened, but I do know what occurred in the womb was being played out in Rebekah’s kitchen that day.
The birthright was not to be used carelessly as a pawn on a chess board. Jacob valued the birthright and it appears Esau did not, at least his actions suggest as much. Did Jacob truly understand the significance of having a place in the godly heritage or did he want the double portion of his father’s possessions knowing he wasn’t the rugged, go-getter type? Did Esau really despise his birthright or did he assume he’d get it back in the end regardless of this sudden decision based on hunger? Whatever transpired in the kitchen that day began years of bitterness between Esau’s descendents, the Edomites and Jacob’s descendents, the Israelites with their final destiny recorded in the book of Obadiah.
Thank you, Lord, for another great chapter of study from the book of Genesis. We continually learn valuable lessons provided by men and women of long ago and how you expect us to conduct our behavior. Father, help us to be good role models in our marriages. Continue to aid us in parenting our children overseeing their actions with one another. May they grow to love and respect one another as you have loved us. And may we always give you honor and glory for everything we are and everything we have. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
For next week: Please read Chapter 26 and ponder the following questions:
1. Isaac repeats a few of his father's mistakes. What specifically does he do that reminds you of Abraham's previous behavior?
2. As you read the events surrounding the digging of wells, Isaac is continually being asked to move because he finds water and Abimelech's people aren't as fortunate. The Philistines and the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled over the water supply which apparently was abundant for Isaac and company, but not for them. What correlation can you make with this issue as it relates to our spiritual lives?
3. Verses 34 and 35 give a little insight into the man Esau is becoming. As you read the last verse of this chapter what do you surmise about this situation?
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