v.1-18
1. Before the death of Abraham recorded in v.7 something needed to make very clear.
5 Everything he owned Abraham left to his son Isaac. 6 But while he was still alive, Abraham gave gifts to the sons of his concubines and sent them off to the east, away from his son Isaac.
Therefore, who were these sons of his concubines and wife were recorded.
2. Isaac was special because God had made it clear to Abraham that he was the one who would inherit the covenant with God 17:19. The covenant with Isaac was the reason why Abraham believed God would resurrect him back from death even after he killed him as a burnt offering in Gen 22 and it was also the reason why Abraham did not allow Isaac to return to his hometown to get a wife in Gen 24.
Abraham's faith to the covenant was consistent throughout his life.
3. On one hand, Abraham and his descendants were blessed by God. God's promise to them was fulfilled. (BKC) Tribes in Sheba and Dedan, in Arabia (Gen 25:3), as well as the Midianites (v. 4), came from Abraham. This was in fulfillment of God’s promises to Abraham that he would become great (12:2) since so “many nations” look to him as their ancestor (17:4).
On the other hand, Abraham himself lived a full life.
7 Abraham lived a total of 175 years. 8 Then Abraham breathed his last and died at a good old age, an old man who had lived a full life. He joined his ancestors.
(BDB) satisfied with days, in a good old age
(EBC) at a good old age” (beśêḇāh ṭôḇāh v.8), which recalls the word of the Lord to Abraham in 15:15: “You, however, will go to your fathers in peace and be buried at a good old age [beśêḇāh ṭôḇāh].”
Summary and reflection: A consistent faithful man was rewarded with the good old age by the Faithful God who promised him that from the beginning. Even though Abraham fell into sin more than once (lied about his relationship with Sarah) but God still rewarded him. Although I may or may not live a good old age but God has already treated me more than I deserved just like Abraham.
v.19-34
1. Repeated
A.
v. 21 Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife because she was childless. The LORD answered his prayer
v.22b ...So she asked the LORD, 23 and the LORD said to her, ...the older will serve the younger
The births of Jacob and Essau were the results of prayer, and God already had a plan for them before their birth.
B.
v.22 But the children struggled inside her (BDB-the children crushed one another within her)
v.23 ... two peoples will be separated from within you. (BDB-divided (hostile) from birth)
One people will be stronger than the other,
and the older will serve the younger.”
(NET-The language suggests there would be a struggle between these nations, with one being stronger than the other. The oracle reveals that all of Jacob’s scheming was unnecessary in the final analysis. He would have become the dominant nation without using deception to steal his brother’s blessing).
Summary: God answered prayers and He is Sovereign over His election. Hostility will be in this family.
2. The responsibility of man under the sovereignty of God. How the family themselves contribute to the hostility.
A. The contrast phrase
v.27...Esau became a skilled hunter, a man of the open fields, but Jacob was an even-tempered man, living in tents.
28 Isaac loved Esau because he had a taste for fresh game, but Rebekah loved Jacob.
B. Esau's own fault
v.29b ...he was famished. 30 So Esau said to Jacob, “Feed (BDB-let me swallow) me some of the red stuff
v.32 “I’m about to die! What use is the birthright to me?... v.33...So Esau swore an oath to him and sold his birthright to Jacob
v.34 Esau despised his birthright.
(NET-There is evidence from Hurrian culture that rights of inheritance were occasionally sold or transferred. Here Esau is portrayed as a profane person who would at the moment rather have a meal than the right to inherit. He will soon forget this trade and seek his father’s blessing in spite of it)
(EBC-Esau, though he had the right of the firstborn, did not value it over a small bowl of soup. Thus, when in God’s plan Esau lost his birthright and consequently his blessing, there was no injustice dealt him. The narrative has shown that he did not want the birthright. He despised it.)
Summary: The favoritism of the parents and the conflict between the 2 brothers were not in full scale at that time. However, the potential was there, especially Esau's swearing an oath to sell his birthright to Jacob. He could not blame anyone other than himself.
3. Conclusion and reflection: Since the 2 brothers were born as a result of prayers, their lives belong to God. God's sovereign was shown in having the older serve the younger and it became so. Esau was caught up in the moment of his famish and did not value the blessings from God by his own choice.
God is fair in exercise His sovereign over our lives. We are only the instrument belonged to Him and used by Him. However, He is not the one to blame when we failed. It is our own choice as well.
What choice I have made that I cannot blame others, but myself of the negative consequences? Do I value what God values? Or I am too occupied by my lust?
4. Question
2) Hostility between the 2 brothers, the older will serve the younger
3) Esau, a skilled hunter, loved by his father, controlled by his own lust, did not value blessings from God. Jacob was an even-tempered man, close to the camp, loved by his mother, value the blessings from God and used the opportunity when Esau was hungry and got him to swear an oath to sell it to him.
4) While waiting for God to answer our prayers I do not value the waiting period. This may be the time that God will use to reshape my heart for my trust in Him and in my priority.
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