OT Study: Genesis Pt. 6

Review

Remember that the main point of this section is that God begins His chosen Nation in order that this Nation would make an impact to all the other nations.

Background ()

God calls Abram ()

God Tests Abram about Land Part 1 ()

God Tests Abram about Land Part 2 (

Abram begins to act like a nation ()

God seals His promises with Abram ()

God Tests Abram about Seed Part 1 ()

God codifies a covenant with Abraham ()

God’s Covenant relationship with Abraham (

A replay of the Past: Abraham and Abimelech ()

Birth of Isaac  ()

Sign of a Great Nation: Covenant with Abimelech ()

God Tests Abraham about Seed Part 2 - Offering of Isaac ()

Death of Sarah: Securing the Land ()

Finding Rebekah: Securing the Seed ()

Abraham’s Death: Continuing God’s Plan ()

Throughout this section, Moses has highlighted the faith of Abraham in response to the call and promises of God. Abraham is not painted in a perfect light. He has moments of great faith in God’s promises and he has moments of great failure and complete stupidity. Abraham's imperfections serve to highlight the perfect patience, love and covenant faithfulness of God. This story of faith comes to a climax in the section today. 

15. Death of Sarah: Securing the Land ()

A. Sarah’s Death (23:1-20)

5 The Hittites answered Abraham, 6 “Hear us, my lord; you are a prince of God among us. Bury your dead in the choicest of our tombs. None of us will withhold from you his tomb to hinder you from burying your dead.” 7 Abraham rose and bowed to the Hittites, the people of the land. 8 And he said to them, “If you are willing that I should bury my dead out of my sight, hear me and entreat for me Ephron the son of Zohar, 9 that he may give me the cave of Machpelah, which he owns; it is at the end of his field. For the full price let him give it to me in your presence as property for a burying place.”10 Now Ephron was sitting among the Hittites, and Ephron the Hittite answered Abraham in the hearing of the Hittites, of all who went in at the gate of his city, 11 “No, my lord, hear me: I give you the field, and I give you the cave that is in it. In the sight of the sons of my people I give it to you. Bury your dead.” 12 Then Abraham bowed down before the people of the land. 13 And he said to Ephron in the hearing of the people of the land, “But if you will, hear me: I give the price of the field. Accept it from me, that I may bury my dead there.” 14 Ephron answered Abraham, 15 “My lord, listen to me: a piece of land worth four hundred shekels of silver, what is that between you and me? Bury your dead.” 16 Abraham listened to Ephron, and Abraham weighed out for Ephron the silver that he had named in the hearing of the Hittites, four hundred shekels of silver, according to the weights current among the merchants. “17 So the field of Ephron in Machpelah, which was to the east of Mamre, the field with the cave that was in it and all the trees that were in the field, throughout its whole area, was made over 18 to Abraham as a possession in the presence of the Hittites, before all who went in at the gate of his city. 19 After this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah east of Mamre (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan. 20 The field and the cave that is in it were made over to Abraham as property for a burying place by the Hittites.”

Upon returning from Moriah, the narrative shifts to tell the story of Sarah’s death and burial, “1 Sarah lived 127 years; these were the years of the life of Sarah. 2 And Sarah died at Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan, and Abraham went in to mourn for Sarah and to weep for her.” Now Rabbinic tradition teaches that this death happened almost just after Isaac and Abraham returned from Moriah. Imagine the scene, “hey boys how was your journey?” Isaac responds, “you’ll never believe it! God told Dad to sacrifice me on an altar and we hiked to the top of this mountain and I was confused because there was no lamb and then Dad made it clear that I was the lamb and so I got on the altar and just as Dad was about to sacrifice me God showed up and then there was this Ram that he provided and it was awesome Mom!” And you can just see the blood rush from Sarah’s face as she’s hearing this and imagine what the shock would have done to 127 year old heart. I wanted to tell you of this comedically tragic interpretation because I tend to agree with tradition, this most likely happened right after Isaac and Abraham came back.

Let’s look back at verse 3, “3 And Abraham rose up from before his dead and said to the Hittites, 4 “I am a sojourner and foreigner among you; give me property among you for a burying place, that I may bury my dead out of my sight.” Remember that Abraham did not own any land in Canaan. He merely had water rights to a well in the land. The people of the land, the Hittites do not want to sell Abraham any land for this would allow him to be officially established as a landowner. In ancient near eastern culture you had to be a landowner before you could own land which is why the Hittites don’t want Abraham to become part of the landowners club, “5 The Hittites answered Abraham, 6 “Hear us, my lord; you are a prince of God among us. Bury your dead in the choicest of our tombs. None of us will withhold from you his tomb to hinder you from burying your dead.” Abraham, however, is insistent and will not be denied, he wants to join the Landowner’s club, why because God promised to give Him this land and He wants to officially own a part of this land now in the site of the Canaanites. Finally the Hittite, Ephron, offers to sell the land to Abraham for 400 shekels of silver. You ask, is that a lot? To put this in perspective the standard rate for selling land found in Leviticus is 50 shekels for 6 acres. That amount should have bought 50 acres of land. In today’s money Abraham paid about $15 million, conservatively…for a burial plot. That’s insane but Abraham’s willingness to pay this high price demonstrates His faith in the Land promise as well as God’s great blessing on Abraham’s wealth.

B. Sarah’s Burial (23:10-20)

Sarah dies at 127 years old - most likely when Isaac and Abraham return

“3 And Abraham rose up from before his dead and said to the Hittites, 4 “I am a sojourner and foreigner among you; give me property among you for a burying place, that I may bury my dead out of my sight.” Now, remember that Abraham did not own any land in Canaan. He merely had water rights to a well in the land. The people of the land, the Hittites do not want to sell Abraham any land for this would allow him to be officially established as a landowner. They disguise this desire by rejecting his request and offering one of their tombs for free. Abraham, however, is insistent and will not be denied. Finally the Hittite, Ephron, offers to sell the land to Abraham for 400 shekels of silver. To put this in perspective the standard rate for selling kand found in Leviticus is 50 shekels for 6 acres. Although the official size of the burial plot that Abraham purchased is unknown it stands to reason that he did not purchase the land at its value. 400 shekels should have bought Abraham 50 acres of land. Abraham’s willingness to pay this high price demonstrates His faith in the Land promise as well as God’s great blessing on Abraham’s wealth.

Abraham wants to buy land to bury his wife

10 Now Ephron was sitting among the Hittites, and Ephron the Hittite answered Abraham in the hearing of the Hittites, of all who went in at the gate of his city, 11 “No, my lord, hear me: I give you the field, and I give you the cave that is in it. In the sight of the sons of my people I give it to you. Bury your dead.” 12 Then Abraham bowed down before the people of the land. 13 And he said to Ephron in the hearing of the people of the land, “But if you will, hear me: I give the price of the field. Accept it from me, that I may bury my dead there.” 14 Ephron answered Abraham, 15 “My lord, listen to me: a piece of land worth four hundred shekels of silver, what is that between you and me? Bury your dead.” 16 Abraham listened to Ephron, and Abraham weighed out for Ephron the silver that he had named in the hearing of the Hittites, four hundred shekels of silver, according to the weights current among the merchants. “17 So the field of Ephron in Machpelah, which was to the east of Mamre, the field with the cave that was in it and all the trees that were in the field, throughout its whole area, was made over 18 to Abraham as a possession in the presence of the Hittites, before all who went in at the gate of his city. 19 After this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah east of Mamre (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan. 20 The field and the cave that is in it were made over to Abraham as property for a burying place by the Hittites.”

The Hittites don’t want Abraham to become a landowner - offer to bury her on their property

Abraham is forced to purchase land at a high price - Willingness to pay reveals His faith and God’s blessing of great wealth

16. Finding Rebekah: Securing the Seed ()

A. The Faithful Servants (24:1-9)

“1 Now Abraham was old, well advanced in years. And the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things. 2 And Abraham said to his servant, the oldest of his household, who had charge of all that he had, “Put your hand under my thigh, 3 that I may make you swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and God of the earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell, 4 but will go to my country and to my kindred, and take a wife for my son Isaac.” 5 The servant said to him, “Perhaps the woman may not be willing to follow me to this land. Must I then take your son back to the land from which you came?” 6 Abraham said to him, “See to it that you do not take my son back there. 7 The Lord, the God of heaven, who took me from my father's house and from the land of my kindred, and who spoke to me and swore to me, ‘To your offspring I will give this land,’ he will send his angel before you, and you shall take a wife for my son from there. 8 But if the woman is not willing to follow you, then you will be free from this oath of mine; only you must not take my son back there.”9 So the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraham his master and swore to him concerning this matter.”

As Abraham nears the end of his life he must ensure that Isaac’s future offspring is secured. He employs his oldest servant to go the country of his family and find a wife for Isaac amongst the daughters of his nephews. Abraham makes his servant vow to him saying, “you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell, 4 but will go to my country and to my kindred, and take a wife for my son Isaac...” verse 7, “7 The Lord, the God of heaven, who took me from my father's house and from the land of my kindred, and who spoke to me and swore to me, ‘To your offspring I will give this land,’ he will send his angel before you, and you shall take a wife for my son from there.” Abraham is intimately aware of the wickedness of the people of the land and their ability to corrupt those whom they marry (for example, Lot and his family) and he does not want that for his son. He also knows from experience the importance of staying in the promised land of Canaan which prompts him to make his servant vow to keep Isaac from leaving the land that God had given to Abraham’s offspring. 

Abraham is dying - His offspring needs to continue - Isaac needs a wif

Makes servant to vow to go back to his old country, to his old family and find Isaac a wife

Don’t let Isaac marry a Canaanite

Makes servant to vow not to let Isaac leave the land

Don’t let Isaac leave Canaan

B. The Servant’s Prayer (24:10-14)

“10 Then the servant took ten of his master's camels and departed, taking all sorts of choice gifts from his master; and he arose and went to Mesopotamia to the city of Nahor. 11 And he made the camels kneel down outside the city by the well of water at the time of evening, the time when women go out to draw water. 12 And he said, “

After vowing to Abraham, the servant takes 10 camels loaded with gifts with him to return to Abraham’s homeland. When he arrived at the city where Abraham’s brother lived the servant prayed to God in verse 12 saying, “O Lord, God of my master Abraham, please grant me success today and show steadfast love to my master Abraham. 13 Behold, I am standing by the spring of water, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water.14 Let the young woman to whom I shall say, ‘Please let down your jar that I may drink,’ and who shall say, ‘Drink, and I will water your camels’—let her be the one whom you have appointed for your servant Isaac. By this I shall know that you have shown steadfast love to my master.” He wants a sign. He asks that God would cause the future wife of Isaac to offer to give him and his camels a drink and that He would do this because of His steadfast love of the servant’s master.

Servant leaves Abraham with 10 camels and gifts

Prays to God for a sign because of His steadfast love - His hesed - for Abraham

Wants the future wife of Isaac to offer to give water to him and 10 camels.

Prays to God for a sign because of His steadfast love - His hesed - for Abraham

Wants the future wife of Isaac to offer to give water to him and 10 camels.

C. YHWH’s Answer (24:15-27)

She quickly runs to serve the servant and his 10 camels (amazing!)

Out of God’s steadfast love He led the servant - providence.

“15 Before he had finished speaking, behold, Rebekah, who was born to Bethuel the son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother, came out with her water jar on her shoulder. 16 The young woman was very attractive in appearance, a maiden whom no man had known. She went down to the spring and filled her jar and came up. 17 Then the servant ran to meet her and said, “Please give me a little water to drink from your jar.” 18 She said, “Drink, my lord.” And she quickly let down her jar upon her hand and gave him a drink. 19 When she had finished giving him a drink, she said, “I will draw water for your camels also, until they have finished drinking.” 20 So she quickly emptied her jar into the trough and ran again to the well to draw water, and she drew for all his camels. 21 The man gazed at her in silence to learn whether the Lord had prospered his journey or not. 22 When the camels had finished drinking, the man took a gold ring weighing a half shekel, and two bracelets for her arms weighing ten gold shekels, 23 and said, “Please tell me whose daughter you are. Is there room in your father's house for us to spend the night?” 24 She said to him, “I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, whom she bore to Nahor.” 25 She added, “We have plenty of both straw and fodder, and room to spend the night.” 26 The man bowed his head and worshiped the Lord 27 and said, “Blessed be the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken his steadfast love and his faithfulness toward my master. As for me, the Lord has led me in the way to the house of my master's kinsmen.”

Now this is no sign would have been no easy feat. Each camel drinks about 30 gallons of water.  A standard clay water jar would hold 2-3 gallons. In order to complete this task, the young women would have to make 100 trips carrying a 3 gallon jar. To do something like this would take a long time and usually required multiple people to help. Just as the servant was the middle of this prayer, as verse 15 says, ““15 Before he had finished speaking, behold, Rebekah, who was born to Bethuel the son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother, came out with her water jar on her shoulder. 16 The young woman was very attractive in appearance, a maiden whom no man had known. She went down to the spring and filled her jar and came up.” Just as he is openning his eyes and lifting his head here comes a beautiful woman out of nowhere! Verse 17 tells us, “17 Then the servant ran to meet her and said, “Please give me a little water to drink from your jar.” 18 She said, “Drink, my lord.” And she quickly let down her jar upon her hand and gave him a drink.” Now this girl does everything fast. The old servant jogs over, huffing and puffing and with excitement asks her for a drink and she whips the jug off her shoulder and gives him a drink. And before he even gets a chance to mention the 10 camels he left in the dust she says, “I will draw water for your camels also, until they have finished drinking.” 20 So she quickly emptied her jar into the trough and ran again to the well to draw water, and she drew for all his camels.” Highlight the words quickly and ran. And then highlight the word all. He wanted a sign and that’s exactly what he got. She’s got some kind of superpower. She didn’t just drew for all the camels. She ran. Imagine being the servant and watching this lady quickly run 100 times to and from the well, carrying a 3 gallon jar to feed his camel. Look at verse 26 to see his response, “26 The man bowed his head and worshiped the Lord 27 and said, “Blessed be the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken his steadfast love and his faithfulness toward my master. As for me, the Lord has led me in the way to the house of my master's kinsmen.” Not only is this woman amazing, not only is she fast, she’s also from the same family as Abraham. Where the world would look at this situation and see it as good luck, the servant knows, the Lord led him to Rebekah. We call this providence. Just as God provided on Mount Moriah, He here again provides.

Servant leaves Abraham with 10 camels and gifts

Prays to God for a sign because of His steadfast love - His hesed - for Abraham

Wants the future wife of Isaac to offer to give water to him and 10 camels.

She quickly runs to serve the servant and his 10 camels (amazing!)

Out of God’s steadfast love He led the servant - providence.

D. The Servant Testifies before Laban (24:28-49)

28 Then the young woman ran and told her mother's household about these things. 29 Rebekah had a brother whose name was Laban. Laban ran out toward the man, to the spring. 30 As soon as he saw the ring and the bracelets on his sister's arms, and heard the words of Rebekah his sister, “Thus the man spoke to me,” he went to the man. And behold, he was standing by the camels at the spring. 31 He said, “Come in, O blessed of the Lord. Why do you stand outside? For I have prepared the house and a place for the camels.” 32 So the man came to the house and unharnessed the camels, and gave straw and fodder to the camels, and there was water to wash his feet and the feet of the men who were with him. 33 Then food was set before him to eat. But he said, “I will not eat until I have said what I have to say.” He said, “Speak on.” s. 48 Then I bowed my head and worshiped the Lord and blessed the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who had led me by the right way to take the daughter of my master's kinsmen for his son. 49 Now then, if you are going to show steadfast love and faithfulness to my master, tell me; and if not, tell me, that I may turn to the right hand or to the left.”

E. The Faithful Betrothed (24:50-61)

50 Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, “The thing has come from the Lord; we cannot speak to you bad or good. 51 Behold, Rebekah is before you; take her and go, and let her be the wife of your master's son, as the Lord has spoken.” 52 When Abraham's servant heard their words, he bowed himself to the earth before the Lord. 53 And the servant brought out jewelry of silver and of gold, and garments, and gave them to Rebekah. He also gave to her brother and to her mother costly ornaments. 54 And he and the men who were with him ate and drank, and they spent the night there. When they arose in the morning, he said, “Send me away to my master.” 55 Her brother and her mother said, “Let the young woman remain with us a while, at least ten days; after that she may go.” 56 But he said to them, “Do not delay me, since the Lord has prospered my way. Send me away that I may go to my master.” 57 They said, “Let us call the young woman and ask her.” 58 And they called Rebekah and said to her, “Will you go with this man?” She said, “I will go.” 59 So they sent away Rebekah their sister and her nurse, and Abraham's servant and his men. 60 And they blessed Rebekah and said to her, “Our sister, may you become thousands of ten thousands, and may your offspring possess  the gate of those who hate him!” 61 Then Rebekah and her young women arose and rode on the camels and followed the man. Thus the servant took Rebekah and went his way.”

Before the servant could even finish his prayer a young woman named Rebekah came with a jar to the well and offered to give water to the servant and his camels. Notice that she went down to the stream and then came back up. This well was  one that most likely had stairs connecting with an underground reservoir. So not only did she have to make 100 trips but she had to go up and down stairs with a 3 gallon jar of water. Notice that the text said that she ran quickly to fill the troughs for the servant’s donkeys. The servant just stood there and gazed in silence at the miracle of God occuring before his eyes. On top of this, Rebekkah wasn’t just any woman, she was the daughter of Abraham’s nephew, Nahor. She wasn’t a Canaanite, she was a descendant of Shem. After this the servant worshiped the God of his master who  demonstrated His lovingkindness and faithfulness love to Abraham. God once again provides. 

The servant then goes to Rebekah’s house and declares how God has blessed his master Abraham and how He miraculously sent Rebekah. He then asks permission to take Rebekah back to Isaac to be his wife. Her brother, Laban replies to the servant in verse 50 saying,“The thing has come from the Lord; we cannot speak to you bad or good. 51 Behold, Rebekah is before you; take her and go, and let her be the wife of your master's son, as the Lord has spoken.”But they had one condition, Rebekah must wait at home for 10 days before she can go. The servant knows that Abraham doens’t have long and he insists that he must no be delayed in returning. Rebekah then declares that she would go right away indicating that she too believes in the promises of Abraham and what they mean for her future with Isaac. She saw no reason to delay joining the covenant family of YHWH. She is sent off with a blessing from her family that echos God’s promise to Abraham from , “60 And they blessed Rebekah and said to her, “Our sister, may you become thousands of ten thousands, and may your offspring possess  the gate of those who hate him!

but is hesitant to let her go right away. However, Rebekah declares that she would go right away indicating that she too believes in the promises of Abraham and what they mean for her future with Isaac. She is sent off with a blessing that echos the promise of God to Abraham (), that she would become thousands of ten thousands, and that her Seed would possess  the gate of those who hate him. 

The Servant testifies of God’s covenant relationship and promises to Abraham

He asks for permission, Rebekah’s brother, Laban and her mother say yes but she must wait

Rebekah doesn’t want to wait to join the covenant family - ready to go now

Great act of faith: Has heard of God’s promises and His lovingkindness and is willing to leave her homeland and family behind in an instant

Rebekah is blessed

F. A Marriage of Love - The Line of the Seed Preserved (24:62-67)

“62 Now Isaac had returned from Beer-lahai-roi and was dwelling in the Negeb.63 And Isaac went out to meditate in the field toward evening. And he lifted up his eyes and saw, and behold, there were camels coming. 64 And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she dismounted from the camel 65 and said to the servant, “Who is that man, walking in the field to meet us?” The servant said, “It is my master.” So she took her veil and covered herself. 66 And the servant told Isaac all the things that he had done. 67 Then Isaac brought her into the tent of Sarah his mother and took Rebekah, and she became his wife, and he loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother's death.”

Upon entering the land of Canaan where Isaac and Abraham lived they begin to walk up on a man praying in the field. As he lifts up his eyes, she lifts up her eyes too. When their eyes meet verse 64 tells us that, “ she dismounted from the camel 65 and said to the servant, “Who is that man, walking in the field to meet us?” The servant said, “It is my master.” This was love at first sight. The story ends in verse 67, “67 Then Isaac brought her into the tent of Sarah his mother and took Rebekah, and she became his wife, and he loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother's death” Before we move on from this lovestory I want to look back at what the servant said about Isaac. He called him my master. Before this Abraham was the servant’s master. But now in the eyes of the servant the birthright and covenant of Abraham has officially passed to his son.

Love at first sight - he loved her, she comforted him after his mother’s death

Servant calls Isaac his master

the birthright of the covenant of Abraham has passed to Isaac

17. Abraham’s Death: God’s Plan Continues ()

A. Abraham’s Inheritance (25:1-6)

“Abraham took another wife, whose name was Keturah. 2 She bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. 3 Jokshan fathered Sheba and Dedan. The sons of Dedan were Asshurim, Letushim, and Leummim. 4 The sons of Midian were Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida, and Eldaah. All these were the children of Keturah. 5 Abraham gave all he had to Isaac. 6 But to the sons of his concubines Abraham gave gifts, and while he was still living he sent them away from his son Isaac, eastward to the east country. “7 These are the days of the years of Abraham's life, 175 years. 8 Abraham breathed his last and died in a good old age, an old man and full of years, and was gathered to his people. 9 Isaac and Ishmael his sons buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar the Hittite, east of Mamre, 10 the field that Abraham purchased from the Hittites. There Abraham was buried, with Sarah his wife. 11 After the death of Abraham, God blessed Isaac his son. And Isaac settled at Beer-lahai-roi.” 

Here in chapter 25 we have the account of the rest of Abraham’s life. After grieving the death of Sarah he takes another wife who bears him several children. As God prophesied, kings and nations will come from his offspring and we see this come to fruition later as Abraham’s son Midian becomes a great nation. Even though more sons were born to Abraham, we see in verse 5 that “Abraham gave all that he had to Isaac” Isaac was the chosen one. He is the new master of Abraham’s servants. After Abraham dies, Ishmael returns to help Isaac bury their father in the tomb that Abraham bought from Ephron. After this God appears to Isaac in verse 11, “11 After the death of Abraham, God blessed Isaac his son. And Isaac settled at Beer-lahai-roi.” The covenant now continues through Isaac.

“7 These are the days of the years of Abraham's life, 175 years. 8 Abraham breathed his last and died in a good old age, an old man and full of years, and was gathered to his people. 9 Isaac and Ishmael his sons buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar the Hittite, east of Mamre, 10 the field that Abraham purchased from the Hittites. There Abraham was buried, with Sarah his wife. 11 After the death of Abraham, God blessed Isaac his son. And Isaac settled at Beer-lahai-roi.”

Abraham remaries, children become forefathers of other nations like Midian

After Abraham dies, Ishmael returns to help Isaac bury their father in the tomb that Abraham bought from Ephron. God then officially blesses Isaac signifying that he inherited the covenant of his father. 

Abraham gives everything to Isaac

Abraham buried with his wife in the land he bought

God comes to Isaac and blesses him - he settles in the land

VIII. Generations of Ishmael:

Context and Overview

This section establishes a pattern that we see later in Genesis where two sons will bury their father followed by a genealogy of the son who does not continue in the covenant relationship with God. In , God promised that He would cause kings to come from Abraham’s children and in , God promised that Ishmael and his descendants would rule and settle over his kinsman. 

Main Point

The main point of this section of text is to T.

Genealogy of Ishmael: Promise and Prophecy Fulfilled ()

Exposition

1. Genealogy of Ishmael: Promise and Prophecy Fulfilled ()

“12 These are the generations of Ishmael, Abraham's son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah's servant, bore to Abraham. 13 These are the names of the sons of Ishmael, named in the order of their birth: Nebaioth, the firstborn of Ishmael; and Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, 14 Mishma, Dumah, Massa, 15 Hadad, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. 16 These are the sons of Ishmael and these are their names, by their villages and by their encampments, twelve princes according to their tribes. 17 (These are the years of the life of Ishmael: 137 years. He breathed his last and died, and was gathered to his people.) 18 They settled from Havilah to Shur, which is opposite Egypt in the direction of Assyria. He settled over against all his kinsmen.”

The significance of this text is that it demonstrates that God will be faithful to carry out the promises He made to Abraham even after Abraham had died. Ishmael bears twelve sons and in verse 16 we see that they become princes. “6 These are the sons of Ishmael and these are their names, by their villages and by their encampments, twelve princes according to their tribes.” God promised that Abraham’s descendents would become kings and that nations would come from him and that is what we see here with Ishmael’s sons who become princes with their own tribes. The land that they settle in is located in modern day Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, UAE and Qatar. 

God promised kings and nations to come from Abraham

Ishmael’s 12 sons become princes over their villages and tribes

Settle in modern day Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, UAE and Qatar. 

IX. Generations of Isaac:

Context and Overview

In Abraham, God established the foundation for His covenant relationship with a chosen people. He promised to Abraham to give Him land, an offspring and a blessing that extended to the nations around him and then He fulfilled these promises in Abraham’s life. Moreover, God worked in Abraham to cultivate a life of faith that will become a distinction of all of God’s people. In Abraham there was also times of failure, unfaithfulness and disobedience that led to very real consequences. Yet it was in this failure that God was magnified. Even in Abraham’s unfaithfulness, God was faithful and God was able to use Abraham’s failures to refine his faith. 

In this section Moses will show how God built on the foundation of His relationship with Abraham. Through Jacob, God will demonstrate to the nation of Israel who first heard this account and all the generations of God’s people after that He is present with His people and that He fights for His people. Moses makes this point by significantly increasing the preposition “with” in this section of Genesis to show that God was present with Isaac and Jacob.

God established a covenant relationship with a chosen people in Abraham

Promised Land, Seed and Blessing

In this section God will show that He is present and He fights for His chosen people

God builds on

Main Point and Structure

The main point of this section is that God begins a nation that testifies to His presence. This is seen in the following structure: 

Continuing the Chosen Line ()

Developing a Nation to be Continued ()

Confirming the Continuation of the Chosen Line (

God Continues to Develop Jacob: Bethel Pt. 1 ()

God Continues to Develop Jacob: Physical Expansion (; )

God Continues to Develop Jacob: Physical Preservation ()

God Continues to Develop Jacob: Bethel Pt. 2 - Spiritual Closure ()

Exposition

1. The Line of the Seed Continued (Gen 25:19-34)

A. Destinies Prophesied (25:19-26)

“19 Now these are the records of the generations of Isaac, Abraham’s son: Abraham became the father of Isaac; 20 and Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Aramean of Paddan-aram, the sister of Laban the Aramean, to be his wife. 21 Isaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his wife, because she was barren; and the Lord answered him and Rebekah his wife conceived. 22 But the children struggled together within her; and she said, “If it is so, why then am I this way?” So she went to inquire of the Lord. 23 The Lord said to her, “Two nations are in your womb; And two peoples will be separated from your body; And one people shall be stronger than the other; And the older shall serve the younger.” 24 When her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb. 25 Now the first came forth red, all over like a hairy garment; and they named him Esau. 26 Afterward his brother came forth with his hand holding on to Esau’s heel, so his name was called Jacob; and Isaac was sixty years old when she gave birth to them.

Just like we saw with Sarah, Rebekah was barren. There is a pattern that begins to be established in the Bible of woman who are barren for all their life until God miraculously opens their womb. In response to Rebekah’s bareness and God’s promise of offspring, Isaac goes to the Lord in prayer, “21 Isaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his wife, because she was barren; and the Lord answered him and Rebekah his wife conceived.” Unlike his father, Isaac did not come up with some scheme to continue the promises of God by marrying one of Rebekah’s servants. He prayed to God.  God opened Rebekah’s womb and she conceived of twins. The texts reveals that the twins wrestled in her womb and this caused Rebekah some concern - so what does she do? Pray. “So she went to inquire of the Lord. 23 The Lord said to her, “Two nations are in your womb; And two peoples will be separated from your body; And one people shall be stronger than the other; And the older shall serve the younger.” See here how God sovereignly sets the destiny of her children and their future offspring before their birth in order to accomplish His plan. 

Rebekah is barren like Sarah

See how the twins that God gave Rebekah wrestled together in her womb. This was a foreshadowing of the conflict that would be between them in life. God speaks to Rebekah and reveals to her that their conflict will go on for generations and that He has chosen the younger of her sons to rule over the older. God sovereignly sets the destiny of her children and their future offspring before their birth in order to accomplish His plan. 

Isaac prays to God out of Faith

Rebekah conceives of twins - constant fighting in her womb

Rebekah prays to God about her twins

God decrees that the older shall serve the younger

B. Destinies Prepared (25:27-34) 

“27 When the boys grew up, Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the field, but Jacob was a peaceful man, living in tents. 28 Now Isaac loved Esau, because he had a taste for game, but Rebekah loved Jacob. 29 When Jacob had cooked stew, Esau came in from the field and he was famished; 30 and Esau said to Jacob, “Please let me have a swallow of that red stuff there, for I am famished.” Therefore his name was called Edom. 31 But Jacob said, “First sell me your birthright.”32 Esau said, “Behold, I am about to die; so of what use then is the birthright to me?” 33 And Jacob said, “First swear to me”; so he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob. 34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew; and he ate and drank, and rose and went on his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.

As the twins grew their destinies begin to take shape. Their parents each chose a favorite son, with Isaac choosing Esau and Rebekah choosing the younger of the twins, Jacob. What we see in this text is that even in his early years the younger brother is a schemer. 29 When Jacob had cooked stew, Esau came in from the field and he was famished; 30 and Esau said to Jacob, “Please let me have a swallow of that red stuff there, for I am famished.” Therefore his name was called Edom. 31 But Jacob said, “First sell me your birthright.”32 Esau said, “Behold, I am about to die; so of what use then is the birthright to me? Now the birthright in this family wasn’t just a nice monetary inheritance. The birthright of Isaac was the covenant promises of God that he inherited from his father, Abraham. What this shows is that Esau had no interest in continuing on the covenant relationship with God, he despised this birthright and was willing to sell it for soup. 

Isaac loved Esau more and Rebekah loved Jacob more

Jacob is a schemer and a great cook - tricks Esau out of the Abrahamic birthright for a bowl of soup

Esau doesn’t really care about God’s promises

2. A Nation Developing ()

A. A Similar Test (26:1-5) 

“Now there was a famine in the land, besides the previous famine that had occurred in the days of Abraham. So Isaac went to Gerar, to Abimelech king of the Philistines. 2 The Lord appeared to him and said, “Do not go down to Egypt; stay in the land of which I shall tell you. 3 Sojourn in this land and I will be with you and bless you, for to you and to your descendants I will give all these lands, and I will establish the oath which I swore to your father Abraham. 4 I will multiply your descendants as the stars of heaven, and will give your descendants all these lands; and by your descendants all the nations of the earth shall be blessed; 5 because Abraham obeyed Me and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes and My laws.”

Just as there was in the days of Abraham, a famine comes to the region of Canaan where Isaac was living. However, unlike his father, Isaac remains in the land, “So Isaac went to Gerar, to Abimelech king of the Philistines. 2 The Lord appeared to him and said, “Do not go down to Egypt; stay in the land of which I shall tell you. 3 Sojourn in this land and I will be with you and bless you, for to you and to your descendants I will give all these lands, and I will establish the oath which I swore to your father Abraham. 4 I will multiply your descendants as the stars of heaven, and will give your descendants all these lands; and by your descendants all the nations of the earth shall be blessed;” Here God repeats the promises He made with Abraham signifying that these promises now belonged to Isaac. From these past few verses we begin to see that Isaac has learned from his father’s faith. We saw on mount Moriah that he trusted God’s promises just like Abraham did. Then we saw that when his present reality of a barren wife didn’t match up with God’s promise of an offspring, he didn’t turn to his own schemes, he turned to God in prayer. Then we see a famine come into the land and instead of fleeing to Egypt like His father did, he trusted God and staid in the promised land. It’s almost as if this man’s faith is fully matured.

Famine comes into the Land - Isaac doesn’t leave Canaan

God repeats His promises of Land, Seed and Blessing to Isaac

Isaac’s faith is strong

Barren wife - Isaac prays

Famine comes - Isaac stays

B. A Similar Failure (26:6-11)

B. A Similar Failure (26:6-11)

“6 So Isaac lived in Gerar. 7 When the men of the place asked about his wife, he said, “She is my sister,” for he was afraid to say, “my wife,” thinking, “the men of the place might kill me on account of Rebekah, for she is beautiful.” 8 It came about, when he had been there a long time, that Abimelech king of the Philistines looked out through a window, and saw, and behold, Isaac was caressing his wife Rebekah. 9 Then Abimelech called Isaac and said, “Behold, certainly she is your wife! How then did you say, ‘She is my sister’?” And Isaac said to him, “Because I said, ‘I might die on account of her.’” 10 Abimelech said, “What is this you have done to us? One of the people might easily have lain with your wife, and you would have brought guilt upon us.” 11 So Abimelech charged all the people, saying, “He who touches this man or his wife shall surely be put to death.”

That is until - letter B - Isaac commits the same stupid mistake that his father did - vs 7, “7 When the men of the place asked about his wife, he said, “She is my sister,” for he was afraid to say, “my wife,” thinking, “the men of the place might kill me on account of Rebekah, for she is beautiful.” Just as He did for Sarah, God protects Rebekah from being taken by Abimelech or one of the philistines in his kingdom. It is revealed to Abimelech that she was in fact Isaac’s wife and he, remembering God’s impending judgement from his past encounter with Abraham, commands no one to touch Rebekah, verse 11, “11 So Abimelech charged all the people, saying, “He who touches this man or his wife shall surely be put to death.” Surely Isaac has learned from his father’s mistakes, but what this shows is that his faith isn’t perfect either.

Isaac’s faith isn’t perfect - lies about Rebekah - she is my sister

Abimelech finds out Rebekah is Isaacs wife - isn’t down for round 2

C. A Similar Blessing and Fruitfulness (26:12-25) 

“12 Now Isaac sowed in that land and reaped in the same year a hundredfold. And the Lord blessed him, 13 and the man became rich, and continued to grow richer until he became very wealthy; 14 for he had possessions of flocks and herds and a great household, so that the Philistines envied him. 15 Now all the wells which his father’s servants had dug in the days of Abraham his father, the Philistines stopped up by filling them with earth. 16 Then Abimelech said to Isaac, “Go away from us, for you are too powerful for us.” 17 And Isaac departed from there and camped in the valley of Gerar, and settled there. “18 Then Isaac dug again the wells of water which had been dug in the days of his father Abraham, for the Philistines had stopped them up after the death of Abraham; and he gave them the same names which his father had given them.19 But when Isaac’s servants dug in the valley and found there a well of flowing water, 20 the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with the herdsmen of Isaac, saying, “The water is ours!” So he named the well Esek, because they contended with him. 21 Then they dug another well, and they quarreled over it too, so he named it Sitnah. 22 He moved away from there and dug another well, and they did not quarrel over it; so he named it Rehoboth, for he said, “At last the Lord has made room for us, and we will be fruitful in the land.” 23 Then he went up from there to Beersheba. 24 The Lord appeared to him the same night and said, “I am the God of your father Abraham; Do not fear, for I am with you. I will bless you, and multiply your descendants, For the sake of My servant Abraham.” 25 So he built an altar there and called upon the name of the Lord, and pitched his tent there; and there Isaac’s servants dug a well.”

Isaac then settles in the land of Abimelech and becomes incredibly prosperous - verse 12, ““12 Now Isaac sowed in that land and reaped in the same year a hundredfold. And the Lord blessed him, 13 and the man became rich, and continued to grow richer until he became very wealthy” God blesses Isaac with Eden-like fruitfulness as his crops are multiplied a hundred times what he planted. He became so rich and his flocks grew so vast that Abimelech told him to leave the region in verse 16, “16 Then Abimelech said to Isaac, “Go away from us, for you are too powerful for us.” As his father did before him, Isaac establishes himself officially in the land by digging wells and gaining water rights. He ends up settling in the land of Beersheba where Abraham first dug a well in Canaan. It is there that, verse 24, “24 The Lord appeared to him the same night and said, “I am the God of your father Abraham; Do not fear, for I am with you. I will bless you, and multiply your descendants, For the sake of My servant Abraham.” 25 So he built an altar there and called upon the name of the Lord, and pitched his tent there; and there Isaac’s servants dug a well.” Once more, God promises to Isaac blessing and presence. He is with Isaac.

D. Placing the Growing People into the Land (26:18-25)

Isaac experience great blessing from God - fruitful in the land and wealthy

As his father did before him, Isaac establishes himself officially in the land by digging wells and gaining water rights. He ends up settling in the land of Beersheba where Abraham first dug a well in Canaan. God appears to Him once more and declares to Isaac, “I am with you.” It is here where Isaac settles and digs a well.

Abimelech asks him to leave because he has become too powerful

Settles in Beersheba where God again says I am with you and will bless you

D. A Similar Covenant with Abimelech (26:26-33) 

“26 Then Abimelech came to him from Gerar with his adviser Ahuzzath and Phicol the commander of his army. 27 Isaac said to them, “Why have you come to me, since you hate me and have sent me away from you?” 28 They said, “We see plainly that the Lord has been with you; so we said, ‘Let there now be an oath between us, even between you and us, and let us make a covenant with you, 29 that you will do us no harm, just as we have not touched you and have done to you nothing but good and have sent you away in peace. You are now the blessed of the Lord.’” 30 Then he made them a feast, and they ate and drank. 31 In the morning they arose early and exchanged oaths; then Isaac sent them away and they departed from him in peace. 32 Now it came about on the same day, that Isaac’s servants came in and told him about the well which they had dug, and said to him, “We have found water.” 33 So he called it Shibah; therefore the name of the city is Beersheba to this day.”

Isaac continues to live in the pattern of his father’s life. Abimelech and his general approach Isaac like they once did with Abraham in order to make a treaty. 8 They said, “We see plainly that the Lord has been with you; so we said, ‘Let there now be an oath between us, even between you and us, and let us make a covenant with you, 29 that you will do us no harm, just as we have not touched you and have done to you nothing but good and have sent you away in peace. You are now the blessed of the Lord.’” They recognized that God is with the Isaac as He was with Abraham. It is evident to the nations around Isaac that he is the blessed of the Lord. Therefore they want to ensure that Isaac will not harm them. Isaac is dwelling in the land. He has been given offspring in the form of his two sons. He has been blessed by God and this is extending to the nations around Him. The point being made is that God’s covenant promises live on in the generation after Abraham. It was an everlasting covenant

Just like with Abraham, Abimelech and his general make a covenant with Isaac

Isaac is dwelling in the land. He has been given offspring in the form of his two sons. He has been blessed by God and this is extending to the nations around Him. The point being made is that God’s covenant promises live on in the generation after Abraham. 

Can plainly see God is with him - He is the blessed of the Lord

God’s promises live past Abraham - everlasting covenant

E. Destinies Progress (26:34-35) 

“34 When Esau was forty years old he married Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Basemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite; 35 and they brought grief to Isaac and Rebekah.

The narrative then turns to point out the marriage of Esau, ““34 When Esau was forty years old he married Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Basemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite” It is become more clear that Esau has no regard for the covenant promises by marrying these two Canaanite women. Remember the command of Abraham regarding Isaac, “(do)not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites”. Esau doesn’t care about the birthright and he doesn’t care about the commands and concerns of his grandfather, Abraham. It is becoming clear that Esau isn’t the right one. 

Esau marries two Canaanite women

We saw that he doesn’t care for Abraham’s promises

Here we see that he doesn’t care for Abraham’s commands

3. The Line of the Seed Confirmed ()

A. Scheme #1: Isaac & Esau Plot (27:1-4) 

“Now it came about, when Isaac was old and his eyes were too dim to see, that he called his older son Esau and said to him, “My son.” And he said to him, “Here I am.” 2 Isaac said, “Behold now, I am old and I do not know the day of my death. 3 Now then, please take your gear, your quiver and your bow, and go out to the field and hunt game for me; 4 and prepare a savory dish for me such as I love, and bring it to me that I may eat, so that my soul may bless you before I die.”

As the life of Isaac comes to a close he sets out to give the paternal blessing to Esau, “ 2 Isaac said, “Behold now, I am old and I do not know the day of my death. 3 Now then, please take your gear, your quiver and your bow, and go out to the field and hunt game for me; 4 and prepare a savory dish for me such as I love, and bring it to me that I may eat, so that my soul may bless you before I die.” Isaac’s desire is that Esau and his descendents will carry on the family heritage of a covenant relationship with God. Isaac does this regardless of the promise God made to Rebekah, and the fact that Esau sold the right to be blessed to Jacob for a bowl of stew. 

Isaac is dying and wants to pass the Abrahamic birthright to Esau

Does this despite God’s promise to Rebekah about Isaac

Does this despite Esau selling this birthright for stew

B. Counter Scheme: Rebekah & Jacob (27:5-17) 

5 Rebekah was listening while Isaac spoke to his son Esau. So when Esau went to the field to hunt for game to bring home, 6 Rebekah said to her son Jacob, “Behold, I heard your father speak to your brother Esau, saying, 7 ‘Bring me some game and prepare a savory dish for me, that I may eat, and bless you in the presence of the Lord before my death.’ 8 Now therefore, my son, listen to me as I command you. 9 Go now to the flock and bring me two choice young goats from there, that I may prepare them as a savory dish for your father, such as he loves. 10 Then you shall bring it to your father, that he may eat, so that he may bless you before his death.” 11 Jacob answered his mother Rebekah, “Behold, Esau my brother is a hairy man and I am a smooth man. 12 Perhaps my father will feel me, then I will be as a deceiver in his sight, and I will bring upon myself a curse and not a blessing.” 13 But his mother said to him, “Your curse be on me, my son; only obey my voice, and go, get them for me.” 14 So he went and got them, and brought them to his mother; and his mother made savory food such as his father loved. 15 Then Rebekah took the best garments of Esau her elder son, which were with her in the house, and put them on Jacob her younger son. 16 And she put the skins of the young goats on his hands and on the smooth part of his neck. 17 She also gave the savory food and the bread, which she had made, to her son Jacob.

Rebekah hears of Isaac’s scheme and she and Jacob plan a scheme of their own. Now, as we saw before, Rebekah is incredibly fast and even though Esau has a head start, she has a plan - verse 6, “6 Rebekah said to her son Jacob, “Behold, I heard your father speak to your brother Esau, saying, 7 ‘Bring me some game and prepare a savory dish for me, that I may eat, and bless you in the presence of the Lord before my death.’ 8 Now therefore, my son, listen to me as I command you. 9 Go now to the flock and bring me two choice young goats from there, that I may prepare them as a savory dish for your father, such as he loves. 10 Then you shall bring it to your father, that he may eat, so that he may bless you before his death.” 11 Jacob answered his mother Rebekah, “Behold, Esau my brother is a hairy man and I am a smooth man. 12 Perhaps my father will feel me, then I will be as a deceiver in his sight, and I will bring upon myself a curse and not a blessing.” 13 But his mother said to him, “Your curse be on me, my son; only obey my voice, and go, get them for me.” Their plan is fast and it is foolproof. She will make a quick meal with her super speed and he will put on his clothes. Somehow in the midst of making a delicious meal she is able to take goat skin and make gloves for his hands and something to cover his neck. As they say in sports, you can’t teach speed.

Rebekah hear’s of Isaac’s plan and makes one of her own

She’s fast - Perfect plan

Rebekah makes a delicious meal

Jacob wears Esau’s clothes

Rebekah sows goatskin gloves and neck covering

C. Success of the Counter Scheme (27:18-29)

18 Then he came to his father and said, “My father.” And he said, “Here I am. Who are you, my son?” 19 Jacob said to his father, “I am Esau your firstborn; I have done as you told me. Get up, please, sit and eat of my game, that you may bless me.” 20 Isaac said to his son, “How is it that you have it so quickly, my son?” And he said, “Because the Lord your God caused it to happen to me.” 21 Then Isaac said to Jacob, “Please come close, that I may feel you, my son, whether you are really my son Esau or not.” 22 So Jacob came close to Isaac his father, and he felt him and said, “The voice is the voice of Jacob, but the hands are the hands of Esau.” 23 He did not recognize him, because his hands were hairy like his brother Esau’s hands; so he blessed him. 24 And he said, “Are you really my son Esau?” And he said, “I am.” 25 So he said, “Bring it to me, and I will eat of my son’s game, that I may bless you.” And he brought it to him, and he ate; he also brought him wine and he drank. 26 Then his father Isaac said to him, “Please come close and kiss me, my son.” 27 So he came close and kissed him; and when he smelled the smell of his garments, he blessed him and said, “See, the smell of my son Is like the smell of a field which the Lord has blessed; 28 Now may God give you of the dew of heaven, And of the fatness of the earth, And an abundance of grain and new wine; 29 May peoples serve you, And nations bow down to you; Be master of your brothers, And may your mother’s sons bow down to you. Cursed be those who curse you, And blessed be those who bless you.”

Rebekah and Jacob have thought of everything. They beat Esau with speed and cunning. But everything falls apart the minute Jacob opens his mouth, “18 Then he came to his father and said, “My father.” And he said, “Here I am. Who are you, my son?” 19 Jacob said to his father, “I am Esau your firstborn; I have done as you told me. Get up, please, sit and eat of my game, that you may bless me.” 20 Isaac said to his son, “How is it that you have it so quickly, my son?” And he said, “Because the Lord your God caused it to happen to me.” Isaac, who’s eyesight has deteriorated, hears the voice of his son Jacob. He isn’t fully convinced by Jacob’s lie and tests him twice to determine if it really is Esau who is before him.  After touching Jacob’s animal skin-clad arms and smelling the clothes of Esau that Jacob is wearing, Isaac gives the fatherly blessing and official birthright to Jacob. Jacob and Rebekah’s plan should have failed. Their plan was busted the minute Jacob opened his mouth. However, as Jacob said, God caused it to happen. God caused Isaac to be convinced he was blessing Esau. What will be seen in the rest of this narrative is that Jacob will plan many schemes. Most of the scheme’s that Jacob plans will be terrible. However God will providentially redeem the situation. Jacob schemes, but God redeems. 

Jacob and Rebekah’s plan should have failed. Their plan was busted the minute Jacob opened his mouth. However, as Jacob said, God caused it to happen in a way that Isaac was convinced he was blessing Esau. What will be seen in the rest of this narrative is that Jacob will plan many schemes. Most of the scheme’s that Jacob plans will be terrible. However God will providentially redeem the situation. Jacob schemes, but God redeems. 

Planned ruined the moment Jacob opens his mouth

God caused it to work - Isaac is convinced and blesses Jacob

Jacob schemes but God redeems

D. Failure of Isaac and Esau’s Scheme (27:30-40)

“30 Now it came about, as soon as Isaac had finished blessing Jacob, and Jacob had hardly gone out from the presence of Isaac his father, that Esau his brother came in from his hunting. 31 Then he also made savory food, and brought it to his father; and he said to his father, “Let my father arise and eat of his son’s game, that you may bless me.” 32 Isaac his father said to him, “Who are you?” And he said, “I am your son, your firstborn, Esau.” 33 Then Isaac trembled violently, and said, “Who was he then that hunted game and brought it to me, so that I ate of all of it before you came, and blessed him? Yes, and he shall be blessed.” 34 When Esau heard the words of his father, he cried out with an exceedingly great and bitter cry, and said to his father, “Bless me, even me also, O my father!” 35 And he said, “Your brother came deceitfully and has taken away your blessing.” 36 Then he said, “Is he not rightly named Jacob, for he has supplanted me these two times? He took away my birthright, and behold, now he has taken away my blessing.” And he said, “Have you not reserved a blessing for me?” 37 But Isaac replied to Esau, “Behold, I have made him your master, and all his relatives I have given to him as servants; and with grain and new wine I have sustained him. Now as for you then, what can I do, my son?” 38 Esau said to his father, “Do you have only one blessing, my father? Bless me, even me also, O my father.” So Esau lifted his voice and wept. 39 Then Isaac his father answered and said to him, “Behold, away from the fertility of the earth shall be your dwelling, And away from the dew of heaven from above. 40 “By your sword you shall live, And your brother you shall serve; But it shall come about when you become restless, That you will break his yoke from your neck.”

After Isaac blesses Jacob, Esau comes home with the meal, but it’s too late. When Isaac discovers that he was deceived he is filled with anger, 3 Then Isaac trembled violently, and said, “Who was he then that hunted game and brought it to me, so that I ate of all of it before you came, and blessed him? Yes, and he shall be blessed.” However, there is no going back for Isaac blessed Jacob and he shall be blessed. Esau, on the other hand, receives nothing and Isaac prophecies in verse 39 saying, “Behold, away from the fertility of the earth shall be your dwelling, And away from the dew of heaven from above. 40 “By your sword you shall live, And your brother you shall serve; But it shall come about when you become restless, That you will break his yoke from your neck.” Esau wasn’t the one and God caused it to happen that way. Esau will indeed serve his brother but he will also at some point break free.

34 When Esau heard the words of his father, he cried out with an exceedingly great and bitter cry, and said to his father, “Bless me, even me also, O my father!” 35 And he said, “Your brother came deceitfully and has taken away your blessing.”

and he trembled violently. However, there is no going back for Isaac blessed Jacob and he shall be blessed. Esau, on the other hand, receives nothing and Isaac prophecies that he will live away from the prosperity and fertility of the earth. Moreover, he declares that Esau will indeed serve his brother but there will come a day when he will again wrestle with Jacob and gain freedom. 

Esau comes back - too late

Isaac is filled with anger but can’t revoke His blessing

Prophecies about Esau

live in desolate land

live by the sword

serve His brother

But he will break free

E. A Brother’s Wrath (27:41-28:5)

“41 So Esau bore a grudge against Jacob because of the blessing with which his father had blessed him; and Esau said to himself, “The days of mourning for my father are near; then I will kill my brother Jacob.” 42 Now when the words of her elder son Esau were reported to Rebekah, she sent and called her younger son Jacob, and said to him, “Behold your brother Esau is consoling himself concerning you by planning to kill you. 43 Now therefore, my son, obey my voice, and arise, flee to Haran, to my brother Laban! 44 Stay with him a few days, until your brother’s fury subsides, 45 until your brother’s anger against you subsides and he forgets what you did to him. Then I will send and get you from there. Why should I be bereaved of you both in one day?” 46 Rebekah said to Isaac, “I am tired of living because of the daughters of Heth; if Jacob takes a wife from the daughters of Heth, like these, from the daughters of the land, what good will my life be to me?” 1 So Isaac called Jacob and blessed him and charged him, and said to him, “You shall not take a wife from the daughters of Canaan. 2 Arise, go to Paddan-aram, to the house of Bethuel your mother’s father; and from there take to yourself a wife from the daughters of Laban your mother’s brother. 3 May God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful and multiply you, that you may become a company of peoples. 4 May He also give you the blessing of Abraham, to you and to your descendants with you, that you may possess the land of your sojournings, which God gave to Abraham.” 5 Then Isaac sent Jacob away, and he went to Paddan-aram to Laban, son of Bethuel the Aramean, the brother of Rebekah, the mother of Jacob and Esau.

Upon hearing this, Esau is filled with hate in his heart, verse 41, “41 So Esau bore a grudge against Jacob because of the blessing with which his father had blessed him; and Esau said to himself, “The days of mourning for my father are near; then I will kill my brother Jacob.” He plans to kill his brother like Cain murdered Abel. But this plot comes to Rebekah who sends her son to flee to her brother Laban. Before Jacob leaves, His father calls for him, “1 So Isaac called Jacob and blessed him and charged him, and said to him, “You shall not take a wife from the daughters of Canaan. 2 Arise, go to Paddan-aram, to the house of Bethuel your mother’s father; and from there take to yourself a wife from the daughters of Laban your mother’s brother. 3 May God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful and multiply you, that you may become a company of peoples. 4 May He also give you the blessing of Abraham, to you and to your descendants with you, that you may possess the land of your sojournings, which God gave to Abraham.” Isaac officially blesses him with the full knowledge that he is Jacob. Like Abraham once did for him, Isaac commands his son to not marry a daughter of Canaan but instead take a wife from the relative. So then Jacob is sent out of the land in order to preserve his life.

Isaac officially blesses him with the full knowledge that he is Jacob. He instructs him to not marry a daughter of Canaan but instead take a wife from the relative of Abraham just as he did with Rebekah. So then Jacob is sent out of the land in order to preserve his life.

Esau wants to murder Jacob

Isaac officially blesses Jacob knowing who he is

Commands Isaac to not marry a Canaanite - go to his mother’s family

Leaves the promised land...

F. A Brother’s Rebellion (28:6-9) 

“6 Now Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob and sent him away to Paddan-aram to take to himself a wife from there, and that when he blessed him he charged him, saying, “You shall not take a wife from the daughters of Canaan,” 7 and that Jacob had obeyed his father and his mother and had gone to Paddan-aram. 8 So Esau saw that the daughters of Canaan displeased his father Isaac; 9 and Esau went to Ishmael, and married, besides the wives that he had, Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael, Abraham’s son, the sister of Nebaioth.”

The narrative ends with Esau’s last-second effort to gain a blessing from Isaac, 8 So Esau saw that the daughters of Canaan displeased his father Isaac; 9 and Esau went to Ishmael, and married, besides the wives that he had, Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael, Abraham’s son, the sister of Nebaioth.” After he hears Isaac tell Jacob not to marry a Canaanite he goes and marries a daughter of Ishmael. However, as we saw before, Ishmael married an Egyptian so now all three of Esau’s wives are from the line of Ham. If it wasn’t clear enough, this serves as concluding confirmation that Esau is not the chosen one to carry on the line of the Seed of .

Esau tries to please father by marrying daughter of Ishamael

Now three times married into the cursed line of Ham

Questions for Application

What do we learn about God’s character and nature from His actions in this section of scripture?  

Miracle of Rebekah

Isaac’s life

Jacob and Esau 

What do we learn about faith from the life of Isaac compared to that of his father?

What do we learn about how the providence and predestination of God works in the actions of Esau and Jacob.