Genesis 25:1-34
25:1 Abraham
married again, this time to a woman named Keturah (“Fragrence”). Remember that
Abraham was promised a posterity as multitudinous as the stars. Through Keturah
would come many of his descendants.
25:2 The children
of Abraham and Keturah: Zimran (“Musician”), Jokshan (“Snarer”), Medan (“Contention”),
Midian (“Strife”), Ishbak (“He Releases”), and Shuah (“Wealth”).
25:3 Jokshan’s
son’s names where Sheba (“Seven; an Oath”) and Dedan (“Low Country”). Dedan’s
son’s names were Asshurim (“Guided; Blessed”), Letushim (“Hammered”), and
Leummim (“Peoples”).
25:4 The sons of
Midian were Ephah (“Gloomy”), Epher (“A Calf”), Hanoch (“Dedicated”), Abidah (“My
Father Knows”), and Eldaah (“God Has Known”).
25:5-6 Abraham
took care of all his children but to Isaac he gave the main inheritance. Isaac
would be the one to carry the torch so to speak, the child who would propel the
faith. In essence, Isaac inherited the blessed responsibility, but still a
responsibility, for upholding and maintain the family’s connection with God.
In the New Testament we learn from Luke 12:48 that to whom much is given, much is expected. Isaac was
given much but he was given it for a reason. Always remember that we are given
to in order that we may give. Blessings are meant to continually flow.
25:7-8 Abraham
reached the culmination of his life at the age of 175. The Old Testament is a
journey passed on from life to life. A journey of life on earth coupled and
truly propelled by God’s will and love.
25:9-10 Abraham’s
first sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him with his first wife, Sarah, in the land
Abraham purchased.
25:11 Isaac took
his father’s place as a prophet of God. God blessed Isaac and we know how God’s
blessings come: through our permission and invitation. Isaac became a man of
faith like his father; through his faith and trust in Him, God would be able to
continue providing blessings.
25:12-16 This is
the genealogy of Ishmael’s (child of Abraham and Hagar) sons in order of age:
Nebajoth (“Heights”), Kedar (“Dark”), Adbeel (“Chastened by God”), Mibsam (“Sweet
Odor”), Mishma (“A Hearing”), Dumah (“Silence”), Massa (“Burden”), Hadar (“Honor”),
Tema (“Desert”), Jetur (“Enclosed”), Naphish (“Refreshment”), and Kedemah (“Original”).
25:17-18 Ishmael
lived 137 years and passed on from Earth (east of Egypt) peacefully among
family.
25:19-20 Isaac
and Rebekah married but despite their efforts, were unable to conceive.
25:21 Isaac prayed
to God that Rebekah would become pregnant and God answered his prayer. God
answers our prayers but not always in the way we expect him to. Abraham and
Sarah prayed for a child and received one, Isaac prayed for children and received
them… and God answered these prayers because he knew that it was the best
option for them. They would carry along a line of prophets who would shape and
save the world through their faith and compassion.
Yet it is not always the case that our prayers are answered
exactly as we think we want them to be. God is going to use his perfect
discernment to determine what would ultimate bless our lives and what would
not. Trust Him to deliver what is best for you.
25:22 Rebekah
conceived twins and it was a difficult pregnancy. As they would in life, her twins
struggled with each other in the womb.
25:23 Rebekah’s
difficult pregnancy symbolizes a struggle between ideologies: her sons would
oppose each other in character. The explanation from God, which came through no
doubt in response to Rebekah’s prayers and communication with him was this:
each of her sons would represent and spearhead two different nations with
entirely different cultures. Although born equal, one would prosper over the
other because that one would choose to walk with God (and would thus invite His
blessings into their lives and endeavors).
God's exact words to Rebekah:
“Two nations are in your womb,
Two peoples shall be separated from your body;
One people shall be stronger than the other,
And the older shall serve the younger.”
What we realize from this is that God knows who we are even before we are born. He knows the trajectory of our lives: as individual souls, as peoples and nations and a species. That is how He is so capable of guiding and loving us: He knows how we think, what our motivations are, our weaknesses, our dreams, our abilities...Ephesians 1:4, we were chosen by God before the foundation of the Earth. God is already informed. He knows that Rebekah's sons will each become very different men: one would follow God and the other would not.
25:24-26 Just as
God explained (there were no ultrasounds in Rebekah’s day) she gave birth to
twins. She first gave birth to Esau ("Hairy")and he became the eldest (who, God foretold,
would serve the younger). Isaac and Rebekah’s second son was born grasping the
heel of his older brother and they named him Jacob ("Heal-grabber").
Isaac was 60 years old when Rebekah gave birth to their twins.
Isaac and Rebekah prayed to God but also exhibited patience: they did not have
children until after 20 years of marriage. It is easy to read over that but it
is such a bold message. These people, now ancient to us, experienced the same
tribulations and frustrations that we experience. They had to develop their
faith and trust in God in order to endure circumstances which did not happen
precisely when they wanted them to. They had to come to trust that His time is
the best time.
25:27 As the boys
grew, Esau and Jacob become to exhibit their differences. Esau was a fierce and
adept hunter and Isaac was mild and gentle.
25:28 Isaac was
most proud of Esau because of the benefit of having a skillful hunter in the
family but Rebekah admired Jacob’s serene nature.
25:29-30 In this and the next verses the struggle between Jacob and Esau is simplified: represented by a seemingly simple trade. Esau returns from hunting empty-handed and we get the idea that such had been the result of many of his hunting expeditions. Esau's way of life is failing him but Jacob is prospering because he works with God.
25:31 Jacob offers the stew to Esau if Esau will renounce his birthright. As the eldest son, Esau had the responsibility of representing his father and his father's faith. Jacob wanted that blessing; he cherished it.
25:32 Without hesitation, Esau trades his blessed responsibility for a meal. He comes to represent those whose faith is easily traded for the immediate gratification of valueless things.
25:33 Jacob requires Esau to promise that he is making a permanent trade: officially offering his responsibility to Jacob. Esau officially sold his birthright. Esau did not care that he had been chosen by his father to continue this beautiful relationship with God that his grandfather, Abraham, had created. A true child of God (like Jacob), one of like-heart and mind, would be overjoyed at the blessed opportunity of working directly with him as a prophet.
25:34 Jacob and Esau made the trade and in doing so, clearly expressed and defined their opposing characters.
