Genesis 25

(Gen 25:1-34): Abraham had three wives Sarah, Hagar (concubine), and Keturah (concubine). When he took Keturah as his wife is unknown. Between them they bore eight sons to Abraham; Sarah (1), Hagar (1), and Keturah (6). Abraham gave all that he had to his son Isaac, the promised seed (Gen 25:5). But gave gifts to his other sons and sent them away toward Arabia,

But Abraham gave gifts to the [seven] sons of the concubines [Hagar and Keturah] which Abraham had; and while he was still living he sent them eastward, away from Isaac his son, to the country of the east [Arabia] (Gen 25:6; cf. Gen 21:8-14).

Abraham died at 175 years of age (Gen 25:7) and was interred in the cave of Machpelah along with his wife Sarah who died 48 years earlier (Gen 25:9-10), The descendants of the seed of Abraham from Sarah, Hagar, and Keturah are a fulfillment of God’s promises to Abraham that he would become great (Gen 12:2) and be a father of many nations (Gen 17:4).

And his sons Isaac [75 years old, Abraham was 100 when Isaac was born (Gen 21:5)] and Ishmael [89 years old, Abraham was 86 when Ishmael was born (Gen 16:16)] buried him in the cave of Machpelah, which is before Mamre, in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar the Hittite, the field which Abraham purchased from the sons of Heth. There Abraham was buried, and Sarah his wife (Gen 25:9-10).

Ishmael survived his father for 51 years and died at 137 years of age (Gen 25:17). Ishmael had twelve sons in fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham (Gen 17:20). And it came to pass, after the death of Abraham, that God blessed his son Isaac. And Isaac dwelt at Beer Lahai Roi (Gen 25:11), the place where Hagar called the LORD, the One Who sees me (Gen 16:13-14). He survived his father for the next 105 years (Gen 35:28-29). Isaac and Rebekah could not have children in the first twenty years of their marriage (Gen 25:20, 26). But Isaac took it to the LORD in prayer, and Rebekah conceived (Gen 25:21). Then Rebekah was beginning to have difficulty with her pregnancy and asked God if there was something wrong with her unborn children  (Gen 25:22).

And the LORD said to her: two nations are in your womb [Israelites, Jacob’s descendants, and Edomites, Esau’s descendants], two peoples shall be separated from your body; one people shall be stronger than the other, and the older [Esau] shall serve the younger [Jacob] (Gen 25:23).

These two nations fought continuously. This struggle in the womb was a foreshadowing of things to come! Esau was the firstborn, but Jacob came out of the womb holding onto Esau’s heel. Esau (a daddy’s boy, Gen 25:28a) was Isaac’s favorite; Jacob (a mama’s boy, Gen 25:28b) was Rebekah’s favorite. Over time, Esau foolishly sold his birthright to his younger brother (Gen 25:29-34).

Father, You are a God Who honors and keeps His Word. Abraham understood this and was blessed by building his life around that truth. Isaac learned that Daddy’s faith was not sufficient for him. Indeed, it was inspirational, and he inherited all that Abraham had but not his faith. Isaac would have to put forth his own perspiration of faith to continue being blessed like his father. Just because he was the seed of promise was no guarantee that Rebekah would not be barren. Twenty years they were tested; his parents had to wait twenty-five years! Thank You, LORD, that You are the God of Your Word. <><