Series 5 - Chapter Summary 25 - 27

 

SERIES

FOOLISHNESS-FAMILY-FAITHFULNESS

Abraham dies, and his two sons, Isaac and Ishmael, bury him (25:9). After taking brief note of Ishmael’s line (25:12-18), the text focuses on Isaac and the twin sons born to him (25:19-34). Which son will carry the covenant promises of God into the future? The vigorous outdoorsman Esau? What about his quiet younger brother, Jacob? After reporting an incident which shows Isaac repeating his father’s sins (26:1-35), Genesis tells of Jacob’s deceitful theft of the parental blessing Isaac intended to go to Esau (27:1-40). This act makes Esau so furious he determines to murder Jacob when their father dies, so Jacob is forced to flee to the distant home of his uncle, Laban (27:41-46).

 

Key Verse:

Genesis 25:32 (KJV) “And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me?

 

PERSONAL APPLICATION:

Those who cannot see beyond the moment forfeit their future. It’s not necessary to lie or cheat to obtain the blessings God has promised to us. That which is necessary is only to wait upon God.

 

“The Lord said” (25:23)

Romans 9 points out that before Jacob and Esau were born God chose Jacob to carry on the covenant line. The choice did not depend on the actions of either. Some argue this isn’t fair. Yet neither deserved God’s gift: both Esau and Jacob made bad choices! Be glad God isn’t “fair” with us, but instead sovereignly showers us with His grace.

 

SELLING BIRTHRIGHTS.

A custom that had the force of law in the biblical world decreed that a man’s first son by a lawful wife inherited the major share of tangible and intangible property. This was his “birthright.” Documents from the patriarchal era show that some actually did sell their birthrights, taking an immediate gain in place of the prospect of a future inheritance. Therefore, the account of Esau’s sale of his birthright for a bowl of stew accurately mirrors patriarchal times. In Esau’s case, it does more. The intangible asset associated with his birthright was the covenant promise God made to Abraham and his offspring. These promises meant nothing to Esau, a man caught up completely in the affairs of this life. We may not admire the young Jacob. Nevertheless, we must give him credit for valuing spiritual things.

 

GUILT.

A fearful Isaac tried to pass his wife off as his sister, as Abraham had done. Abimelech’s horror when he realized Rebekah was married (26:10) reveals an important truth. God plants a moral sense, an awareness of right and wrong, in human nature itself. All sin. Yet an inner witness to righteousness and guilt shine in every age. Conscience.

 

FAVORITISM.

Gen. 27 contains an ugly but too typical portrait of parental favoritism. Isaac favored Esau; Rebekah, Jacob. Rebekah’s scheming to advance Jacob was foolish as well as wrong. God had promised, “the older will serve the younger” (25:23). Rebekah had no need to lie and cheat to gain what she wanted. The story is rich in irony. In choosing deceit, Rebekah so provoked Esau’s hostility that Jacob, her favorite, was forced to flee. All her conniving did was deprive her of her son for 20 years of her life! Ends never justify adopting sinful means.

 

ISAAC’S BLESSING.

Documents from Nuzi in central Mesopotamia show that a father’s oral blessing had the force of a will, and would stand up in court. Isaac’s blessing was important! The blessing Isaac pronounced incorporated elements of the original Abrahamic Covenant (27:29 with (Genesis12:3). It’s clear that for Isaac, the most important thing he had to hand down to his son was his relationship with God.

 

“He will be blessed” (27:33).

With Isaac’s realization that he had been tricked came a flash of insight. He favored Esau, but God had chosen Jacob. Therefore, at last Isaac submits to God’s will, and confirms the blessing given Jacob. He does have a blessing for Esau (27:39-40): material prosperity Esau was angry with his brother, but actually received everything he ever cared about!