Genesis 25 – Let The Generations Begin!

 

Abraham got married again. His new wife’s name was Keturah.

Abraham gave all he had to Isaac. Remember, Isaac is the Son of Promise. He also gave gifts to the sons of the concubines that he had.  However, he sent them eastward, away from Isaac.  Abraham lived to the ripe old age of 175, full of years and he was buried with his family. Isaac and Ishmael buried Abraham next to Sarah in the cave of Machpelah which he purchased in Genesis 23. A lot of times, death can cause dissension in families.  Here, we see Isaac and Ishmael working together to bury their father.  Remember, Ishmael and his mother, Hagar, were sent away when Sarah saw Ishmael teasing Isaac in Genesis 21. After the death of Abraham, God blessed Isaac.  Isaac lived in Beer Lahai Roi. This is where he went on a trip in Genesis 24.  Maybe Isaac was looking to relocate when he took that trip.

Abraham and Keturah - Keturah had Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah.  Jokshan's sons were Sheba and Dedan. Dedan's sons were Asshurim, Letushim and Leummim.  Midian's sons were Ephah, Epher, Hanoch,Abidah and Eldaah.

Abraham and Hagar - Ishmael (the oldest son) Below is the list of Ishmael's descendants - Nebajoth, Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadar, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah.

These are Ishmael’s sons by their towns and settlements. They were twelve princes according to their nations. Ishmael’s sons lived from Havilah as far as Shur, which is east of Egypt as you go toward Assyria. Ishmael died at 137 years old and was buried with his family.

Abraham and Sarah - Isaac (Son of Promise)

Isaac was 40 years old when he married Rebekah. Isaac prayed for his wife because she was barren. God granted his plea and Rebekah conceived. This is the power of prayer, especially when one spouse prays for the other spouse. For the married readers, do you pray for your spouse? For the single readers hoping to get married, are you praying for your future spouse?

The children struggled in Rebekah’s womb. She asked the Lord why this was happening if all was well with the pregnancy. The Lord informed her that she had two nations in her womb.Two peoples would be separated from her body and one of them would be stronger than the other. In fact, the older would serve the younger one. When time came for her to deliver, she did give birth to twins. Esau, the firstborn twin, was red and very hairy. Jacob, the second twin, was holding onto Esau’s heel.

Isaac was 60 years old when Esau and Jacob were born. That’s 20 years after Isaac and Rebekah got married.  As Esau and Jacob grew up, Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the field. Jacob was a mild man, dwelling in tents. Isaac loved Esau because he ate his game from hunting and Rebekah loved Jacob.  Parents having a favorite child among their children are only asking for trouble and family dysfunction. For those parents reading this with more than one child, do you have a favorite child among your children? If so, why? Has that caused any family problems?

Jacob had cooked a stew and Esau came in from the field very hungry. He told Jacob to give him some of his red stew because he was starving. Therefore, his name was called Edom. Edom means red. Esau was born red and red stew is about to lead him to a bad decision.  Jacob told Esau to sell him his birthright. The birthright is the privileged right of inheritance that belongs to the firstborn son.  Esau said that he was about to die so what was a birthright to him.  A bad decision and an over exaggeration, I’m sure.  Jacob made Esau swear to him and Esau swore, thus selling his birthright to Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and some stew of lentils. Esau ate and drank and went on his way not giving a second thought to his birthright. He despised it.  Lesson to learn – Never make a permanent bad decision for a temporary problem or situation.

The next stop is Genesis 26.

To God Be The Glory!