Genesis Chapter 25

Birth of Jacob & Esau

This scripture will be important in our study: 1 Corinthians 9:27 “But, I discipline my flesh, and bring it into subjection; lest when I preach the Gospel to others, I myself will become disqualified.” If Paul was concerned about losing his rewards, because of a lack of self-discipline, (considering how he passionately proclaimed the Gospel); we should be terrified! Once again we list the figures of speech to help you as you do this study. SIMILE: Resemblance; ALLEGORY: comparison by representation; METAPHOR: Representation; HYPOCATASTASIS: An implied resemblance or representation; TYPE: A figure or example of something future; ANALOGY: Resemblance in some particulars between things otherwise unlike.

25:1-2

Most of us are probably quite surprised to see Abraham take another ‘wife’. Although, we will later be told that Katura was really considered a concubine, to emphasize that her sons were NOT to inherit the promises given by God to the ‘son of promise’ who was Isaac, the only son of Abraham and Sarah. Abraham was no doubt lonely, missing the companionship of his beloved Sarah. In any case, his rejuvenation by God allowed him to sire six more sons by Katura! Katura’s background and history are not given because none of her sons are to inherit any of God’s promises to Abraham.

25:3-4

We are given the names and genealogy of these sons so that we can clearly see that they become the Arabic nations we know today. Notice they are Tribes in Sheba, Dedan, Arabian as well as the Midianites. Although Arabic Muslims claim they come from the ‘firstborn son of Abraham’ who was Hagar’s son, Ishmael; the truth is revealed here, that they are offspring of the sons of Katura. Part of this revelation to us is to show that God did make Abraham the ‘Father of many Nations’ as He had promised Abraham in Genesis 17:4. God always keeps His promises to His children.

25:5

Abraham now gives all that he has to Isaac as he knows that Isaac is the chosen son of promise and that Isaac is the genetic line that will bring forth the Messiah. The spiritual promises given are the most important, and all those are promised to Isaac and his lineage. No doubt all the written history of the calling of Abraham and all that has followed was also given to Isaac to transmit on to his lineage; and to be used to write the scriptures we now study.

25:6

‘But,’ remember the importance of this word to draw our attention to what follows. God clearly shows us that Abraham did give very generous gifts to each of his sons by Katura and then sent them away from Isaac, toward the east. Abraham knew that there could be no conflict, or undermining, of the lineage of the promised son, Isaac. This would additionally confirm that these sons of Katura are the ancestors of the modern day Arabic nations.

25:7-8

Abraham dies at the age of 175. We are told that he gives up his spirit and dies in a good old age and then was gathered to his people. All this confirms that his spirit goes on living and is joined with those who are ‘his people’. This no doubt refers to those ancestors who were believers. We know from Luke 16:22, that Jesus refers to this place of departed spirits as “Abraham’s bosom”. Hades contained all the departed spirits, yet there was a great division between those who chose to follow God and looked for the Messiah to come, and those who rejected God and ignored His commands. Stop and read Luke 16:19-31. Notice this true revelation is given by Jesus Himself. It is a true and accurate account of Hell for all of us to learn from. Hell is a real place of agony and torment lasting for all eternity. Jesus spoke more about the horrors of Hell then He ever did about Heaven! Why? Because He wanted all of us to avoid ever rejecting Him and damning ourselves forever to Hell! Remember, God does not send anyone to Hell. People reject Jesus and choose to send themselves to Hell.

25:9-10

Isaac and Ishmael were obviously reconciled at this time. Since the older son would have been the one to bury the father, the fact that Isaac is mentioned first confirms that he alone was the ‘promised heir’ of Abraham. Yet, Isaac obviously did not feel threatened by Ishmael’s presence, and graciously allowed him to participate in the burial ceremony of their father. Keep in mind that Ishmael is now 90 years old, and Isaac is 75 years old. Although we are not specifically told that Jacob and Esau were present at the funeral, we can assume that they were both present as they would have been 15 years old at this time. It would be certain that the entire family would have participated in the burial of such an important family Patriarch as Abraham. He was quite famous and well known throughout the entire region, so the burial ceremony would honor Abraham and his entire family. Notice how specific the scriptures are in making certain that we all know and understand that this is the very same land and cave that Abraham purchased as the burial place for Sarah; and eventually for himself. Both Isaac and Ishmael would have known the importance of this family burial place that was established in faith by their father Abraham. Isaac and Ishmael both learned from their father and mother’s mistakes about NOT waiting for God’s perfect timing. Ishmael personally had experienced God’s provisions for him after he and his mother, Hagar, were sent away from the family in Genesis 21. Isaac had been told firsthand how God had caused his own conception and birth miraculously. Plus, Isaac had seen and experienced God’s provisions for he and his family. Are we learning these important lessons for our own lives? We pray you are taking God seriously as He reveals His Truth to you for your eternal benefit.

25:11

Now the blessings God had been giving to Abraham are now being given to Isaac. Notice that he is again dwelling at Beer-lahai-roi; the ‘well to the Living One Who sees me’. Do we live in constant awareness of knowing that God sees, hears and knows our every thought, word and deed?

25:12-18

Ishmael must have given his family genealogy records to Isaac to keep for posterity. He knew that Isaac was the Child of Promise, so he no doubt knew the importance of having his own family records in the hands of the one God was blessing. Notice that a quick summary is given regarding Ishmael’s family background; again this is to insure that no one can misinterpret the scriptures to claim Ishmael is the promised son. These twelve sons of Ishmael are now princes with castles in their own nations all located near the Egyptian border, in the Arabian peninsula. Now Ishmael dies at the age of 137 in the presence of all his family. Since we are told that he was ‘gathered unto his people’, we can assume that he believed in the God of Abraham, and died in true faith in God. Even though Ishmael was ‘sent away’, he never-the-less had learned the Truth of God and evidently had made a commitment to follow God.

25:19-20

We are now given a quick review of Isaac’s family history. We are reminded that Isaac, at the age of 40, married Rebekah, who was the daughter of Bethuel, a Syrian of Padanaram, and that Laban, also a Syrian, was her brother. This little reminder will be important in future chapters of Genesis.

25:21

Now Isaac is praying fervently to the Lord on behalf of himself and his wife Rebekah, because she is barren, unable to conceive a child. We can assume that Rebekah is also praying fervently for a child. Although this verse does not tell us how long Isaac was praying continually on behalf of Rebekah, she does not become pregnant and have children until Isaac is 60 years old. That is 20 years! See verse 26. We can assume that Isaac shared the true story of what happened when his father and mother did NOT wait for God’s perfect timing, and tried to ‘help God’ by using Hagar to try to get the promised son. Have you ever tried to ‘help God’ with something you believe should happen? Isaac and Rebekah could have used Deborah for the same purpose, but they had learned that painful lesson from what happened to Abraham and Sarah, and chose to continue to pray for the promised son for themselves. Trusting and praying for 20 years is a very long time. How are you doing in trusting and praying to God for something you know He has promised you?

25:22-23

Rebekah knew the promises God had given Abraham, Sarah and Isaac, and that she was the chosen wife to have the future promised son, so she was no doubt ecstatic to discover she was finally pregnant! However, she realizes that something strange is going on in her womb, so now we are told she prays to God, to ask specifically for His wisdom and insight. By this comment, we can assume she must have been praying along with her husband for a child all those years. However she had no way of knowing she was now pregnant with twins! God graciously tells her that two nations are within her womb. This immediately tells her that she will have not just one son, but two! These two sons will be very different in their mannerisms, personalities, feelings, thoughts, etc. Even before birth, these sons are developing their own personalities and mind sets. Modern science now knows that the baby develops their own personality before they are even born! These twins are struggling with one another in the womb, before they are even born! That must have been very uncomfortable for poor Rebekah! God reveals something very important: that one people will be stronger than the other, and that the elder son shall serve the younger. This is contrary to the traditional command of the blessing to be given to the ‘first born son’. Now keep in mind that Rebekah knows that the blessings are to be given to the first born son. Two blessings are involved: The ‘double portion’ is to go to the first born son. The ‘birthright’, the spiritual responsibilities, are also to go to the first born son. Yet God clearly tells Rebekah that this will not be true in the case of these two sons. We can be certain that Rebekah shared this important revelation with Isaac. There are many multiple meanings, figures of speech and prophetic hypocatastasis in these passages. Is God revealing some important Truth to you?

25:24-26

God’s Word is fulfilled with the birth of the twin sons. The first son is red and hairy, like a garment, and he is named Esau. Then, immediately his brother comes out, and his hand grabs Esau’s heel; and he is named Jacob. ‘Jacob’ could mean ‘heel-catcher’ and also could mean ‘supplanter’, yet the Hebrew Ya’aquob actually means “may He (God) protect”. In Hosea 12:3, Hosea, the prophet, interprets Jacob’s name as evidence of his strength and power over his outwardly more impressive brother. Jacob’s strength comes as a result of his relationship with God. When we feel ‘powerless’, it is important to remember that true power and strength comes from God; and is for God’s purpose and plans. Remember, when we are in God’s Will for our lives; He will protect us and strengthen us!

25:27

As Esau and Jacob grow into adulthood, it is clear that Esau becomes a powerful and cunning hunter. Esau appears to be the stronger of the two. Esau could easily be described as a ‘macho man’. These types of people are self-absorbed and want to do things their own way. Yet, God clearly tells all of us we are to seek to do things God’s way, in His will, not ours. The only ‘hunters’ the Bible mentions are Nimrod in Genesis 10:9 and Esau. Both men were rebels against the will and revelation of God; both were described as ‘men of the field’. God had permitted the eating of meat, yet Isaac had plenty of flocks and herds, so there was no need to ‘hunt’ for their food. It appears that Esau was just indulging himself for sport, spending his time ‘playing’. Hebrews 12:16 sheds some light on Esau’s character for us, by identifying him as one who was guilty of sexual vice and was profane. Jacob is identified as a plain and quiet man. The term ‘plain’, in Hebrew, ‘tam’, actually means ‘perfect’ or mature. See Job 1:1, 8; 2:3. Jacob worked at home, taking care of the flocks and fields; and probably studied the history of his family’s relationship with God. Jacob took his calling seriously, accepting responsibility and grew to maturity. It appears that he quietly studied and contemplated his calling before God. Shouldn’t we be doing the same thing?

25:28

Parents often ‘favor’ one child over another. So it was with Isaac and Rebekah. Yet the reason that Isaac ‘loved Esau’ was a selfish one; he satisfied his taste buds for venison! Remember, 1 Corinthians 9:27. Rebekah ‘loved Jacob’ means she understood and knew he was to be the one to spiritually carry on God’s calling for their family. Yet, keep in mind that God had already given His Word regarding the future of both of these sons. The two sons give us a simile or metaphor of the battle between good and evil. See Romans 9:11-13. God’s fulfillment of His Word is always True and accurate; God can NEVER LIE!

25:29

Jacob is so humble he is doing menial chores by preparing a lentil stew for the family. Esau comes in from the field and demands some of the stew immediately, claiming he is starving to death. Do we ever use that expression? Yes, it is always an exaggeration, and so it was with Esau. Jacob then begins to bargain with Esau, asking him to ‘sell’ him his birthright. Esau doesn’t even argue with Jacob, he casually states that the birthright will do him no good if he starves to death! Give us a break! Then Jacob realizes how foolish his brother is acting; and takes advantage of the situation by stating that he wants Esau to Swear to him that he will sell the birthright. We are not told the exact words Esau uses, only that he swore an oath and sold his birthright to Jacob. We can only assume it was for the simple pot of stew! Keep in mind that Jacob is not acting in an ethical manner. God doesn’t need any ‘help’ from Jacob or anyone else, for that matter!

25:34

Jacob gives Esau bread and all the stew he wants. Esau then eats and drinks, then just goes his way, scorning his birthright, as of having no value. Has 1 Corinthians 9:27 taken on a new meaning for you?

Your ‘birthright’, from the beginning of time, was to become a child of the Living God, Creator and Sustainer of the Universe! We are called to become like Jesus; we are promised that we will become children of the Most High God, and co-heir of Heaven with Jesus! What a wonderful birthright we have; what fool would scorn and reject such a high calling? Sadly, millions of people have done just that. Our calling is to seek to obey our Lord, God and Savior, with all our heart, mind and soul. See Psalm 119:10-11. You and I are called to reveal God’s wonderful Truth to those who are trapped in sin and shame and doomed to Hell. It is our ‘birthright’, responsibility, or calling, to teach and disciple others, so they may become children of God for all Eternity. This is why discipleship is so crucial! See Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:46-47; John 3: 16-21, John 20:29-31.