The Story Through the Bible Gen 25

Abraham remarries, has more children, and dies at 175.

Isaac and Rebekah have no children

They have been married for two decades and yet Rebekah is barren. Isaac goes before God to pray for his wife and she conceived.

Genesis 25:22–28 ESV

The children struggled together within her, and she said, “If it is thus, why is this happening to me?” So she went to inquire of the Lord. And the Lord said to her, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you shall be divided; the one shall be stronger than the other, the older shall serve the younger.” When her days to give birth were completed, behold, there were twins in her womb. The first came out red, all his body like a hairy cloak, so they called his name Esau. Afterward his brother came out with his hand holding Esau’s heel, so his name was called Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when she bore them. When the boys grew up, Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field, while Jacob was a quiet man, dwelling in tents. Isaac loved Esau because he ate of his game, but Rebekah loved Jacob.

Okay we have some story themes that jump out right away right. Lets see what you’re picking up already.

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Barrenness, dependance on God for children, two children that will become nations, what about one parent liked one child more than the other? Did Abraham give preference to Isaac over Ishmael? And now Isaac shows preference to Esau. Is that particularly healthy do we think for family life? no, and hopefully you don’t do that…

It’s possible there is even some hint about a reversal taking place with Ishmael’s geneology that lists his mother when Isaac’s does not mention his mother, here one child is associated with the father and one with the mother but it’s not the preferred of the father but the mother this time around that is chosen for THE PROMISE.

Lets finish the chapter out with the story of the birthright here.

Genesis 25:29–34 ESV

Once when Jacob was cooking stew, Esau came in from the field, and he was exhausted. And Esau said to Jacob, “Let me eat some of that red stew, for I am exhausted!” (Therefore his name was called Edom.) Jacob said, “Sell me your birthright now.” Esau said, “I am about to die; of what use is a birthright to me?” Jacob said, “Swear to me now.” So he swore to him and sold his birthright to Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew, and he ate and drank and rose and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.