Preacher George Johnson
In the previous chapter, a bride was found for Abraham’s son, Isaac. It was also stated multiple times how old Abraham was. In this chapter, he will die. We are first given a summary of how great his family grew before he passed on.
- We’re going see how the creation of nations is being fulfilled, God’s promises to Abraham that he would be a father of many nations (Genesis 17:4). Israel was to be the chosen nation (singular) that descended from Abraham through Isaac the Son of Promise(Genesis 12:2). However, God had declared that Abraham would father many nations, in plural (Genesis 17:4). God gave Abraham a new name, changing it from Abram (“exalted father”) to Abraham, which means “father of a multitude.” God promised him that He would “make nations of him, and kings will come forth from him” (Genesis 17:6). This was fulfilled through many of his sons-Ishmael, Isaac, Midian, etc.
Wait a minute who’s Midian? We will see;
Genesis 25:1-6 New King James Version
1 Abraham again took a wife, and her name was Keturah.
2 And she bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah.
3 Jokshan begot Sheba and Dedan. And the sons of Dedan were Asshurim, Letushim, and Leummim.
4 And the sons of Midian were Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abidah, and Eldaah. All these were the children of Keturah.
- Keturah: It is easy to forget that Abraham had a second wife, and he fathered six more sons through her.
- In total, Abraham had eight sons: Isaac through Sarah, Ishmael through Hagar, and these six through Keturah
5 And Abraham gave all that he had to Isaac.
6 But Abraham gave gifts to the sons of the concubines which Abraham had; and while he was still living he sent them eastward, away from Isaac his son, to the country of the east.
- Abraham gave gifts to the sons of the concubines: The only such relationship we know of in Abraham’s life was with Hagar (Genesis 16:1-4). Perhaps this is also a reference to Keturah, letting us know that though she was Abraham’s wife (Genesis 25:1), in regard to God’s covenant promise to Abraham and his descendants, she was not on the same level as Sarah.
- But while he was still alive: This phrase emphasizes Abraham’s proactive approach in managing his family affairs before his death. It reflects the wisdom and foresight of a patriarch ensuring the fulfillment of God’s promises through Isaac, the son of promise. This action aligns with the biblical principle of setting one’s house in order, as seen in other biblical narratives.
- Abraham gave gifts to the sons of his concubines: Abraham’s concubines, including Hagar and Keturah, bore him sons who were not heirs to the covenant promise given to Isaac. The gifts can be seen as a form of inheritance, though distinct from the covenantal blessing.
- and sent them away from his son Isaac: This action ensured that Isaac’s position as the primary heir was uncontested, preserving the integrity of the covenant line. It reflects the cultural and legal practices of the time, where the primary heir was often separated from other potential claimants to avoid disputes. This separation also prefigures the later separation of Israel from other nations, maintaining the purity of the covenant people.
- to the land of the east: likely refers to regions such as Arabia or Mesopotamia. This geographical direction is significant in biblical narratives, often associated with movement away from the Promised Land. It symbolizes a departure from the covenantal blessings associated with the land of Canaan. The eastward movement can also be seen in the story of Cain and the Tower of Babel, representing a move away from God’s presence and promises.
GENESIS 25:7-12
7 This is the sum of the years of Abraham’s life which he lived: one hundred and seventy-five years.
8 Then Abraham breathed his last and died in a good old age, an old man and full of years, and was gathered to his people.
- After the death of Abraham, that God blessed his son Isaac: Abraham was a great man, but he was only a man. God’s work passed on from one generation to the next. Now, God would carry on the work of the covenant first promised to Abraham through Isaac.
- Abraham lived to see Isaac marry Rebekah, and to see the birth of his twin grandsons Jacob and Esau.
9 And his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah, which is before Mamre, in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar the Hittite,
10 the field which Abraham purchased from the sons of Heth. There Abraham was buried, and Sarah his wife.
11 And it came to pass, after the death of Abraham, that God blessed his son Isaac. And Isaac dwelt at Beer Lahai Roi.
12 Now this is the genealogy of Ishmael, Abraham’s son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah’s maidservant, bore to Abraham.
- Lets set up the timeline;
- Abraham’s life which he lived: one hundred and seventy-five.
- Abraham was 100 years old when Isaac is born.
- Isaac takes his wife Rebekah when he is 40 years old.
- Isaac was 60 years old when his sons were born.
(during all this time Ishmael is having children)
- I am not sure if the scriptures confirm ages Esau and Jacob. Both were full-grown men when that bartering over the rights of firstborn occurred, as recorded here in Genesis 25. Then in the very next chapter, Genesis 26:34, we are told that Esau was 40 years old when he took two pagan wives. So, at the time this exchange occurred they could have been in their 20’s or 30’s. They never fought over it however although, later, when the full import of what Jacob had done sank home, Esau became extremely angry and threatened Jacobs life.
GENESIS 25:13-17
13 And these were the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their names, according to their generations: The firstborn of Ishmael, Nebajoth; then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam,
14 Mishma, Dumah, Massa,
15 Hadar, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah.
16 These were the sons of Ishmael and these were their names, by their towns and their settlements, twelve princes according to their nations.
17 These were the years of the life of Ishmael: one hundred and thirty-seven years; and he breathed his last and died, and was gathered to his people.
18 (They dwelt from Havilah as far as Shur, which is east of Egypt as you go toward Assyria.) He died in the presence of all his brethren.
19 This is the genealogy of Isaac, Abraham’s son. Abraham begot Isaac.
20 Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah as wife, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Padan Aram, the sister of Laban the Syrian.
21 Now Isaac pleaded with the Lord for his wife, because she was barren; and the Lord granted his plea, and Rebekah his wife conceived.
22 But the children struggled together within her; and she said, “If all is well, why am I like this?” So she went to inquire of the Lord.
23 And the Lord said to her: “Two nations are in your womb, Two peoples shall be separated from your body; One people shall be stronger than the other, And the older shall serve the younger.”
24 So when her days were fulfilled for her to give birth, indeed there were twins in her womb.
25 And the first came out red. He was like a hairy garment all over; so they called his name Esau.
- The name Esau (Hebrew: עֵשָׂו) means “hairy” or “rough-textured,” deriving from his description at birth as being covered in red hair, like a hairy garment.
26 Afterward his brother came out, and his hand took hold of Esau’s heel; so his name was called Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when she bore them.
- The name Jacob is derived from the Hebrew Ya’aqob or Ya’akov, commonly meaning “supplanter,” “holder of the heel,” or “heel-grabber”
- Supplanter/Trickster: Interpreted as someone who follows closely or displaces another, referring to Jacob taking his brother’s place.
27 So the boys grew. And Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field; but Jacob was a mild man, dwelling in tents.
- Somewhere in their 20’s or 30’s
28 And Isaac loved Esau because he ate of his game, but Rebekah loved Jacob.
GENESIS 25:29-34
29 Now Jacob cooked a stew; and Esau came in from the field, and he was weary.
30 And Esau said to Jacob, “Please feed me with that same red stew, for I am weary.” Therefore his name was called Edom.
- Edom (Hebrew: אֱדוֹם) means “red” or “ruddy”
31 But Jacob said, “Sell me your birthright as of this day.”
32 And Esau said, “Look, I am about to die; so what is this birthright to me?”
33 Then Jacob said, “Swear to me as of this day.” So he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob.
34 And Jacob gave Esau bread and stew of lentils; then he ate and drank, arose, and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.
“History shows that men prefer illusions to realities, choose time rather than eternity, and the pleasures of sin for a season rather than the joys of God. Men will read trash rather than the Word of God and adhere to a system of priorities that leaves God out of their lives.
Multitudes of men spend more time shaving than on the condition of their souls; and multitudes of women give more minutes to their makeup than to the life of the eternal spirit. Men/women still sell their birthright for a mess of pottage.” (Barnhouse)
Spiritually speaking, many today despise their birthright. Ephesians 1:3-14 shows us a treasury of riches that are ours by birthright in Jesus.
- Every spiritual blessing.
- The blessing of being chosen in Jesus.
- Adoption into God’s family.
- Complete acceptance by God in Jesus.
- Redemption from our slavery to sin.
- True and total forgiveness.
- The riches of God’s grace.
- The revelation and knowledge of the mystery of God’s will.
- An eternal inheritance.
- The guarantee of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
Far too many neglect or trade away this birthright for cheap entertainment, momentary popularity, or passing pleasures.
Thus Esau despised his birthright: Esau’s character as a fornicator and profane person (according to Hebrews 12:16) shows God was entirely correct in choosing Jacob over Esau to carry on the birthright, even though Jacob was younger.
Hebrews 12:15-16 New King James Version
15 looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;
16 lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright.
- Though Esau’s character was not the basis for God’s choosing (He chose Jacob over Esau before they were born), Esau’s character ultimately showed the wisdom of God’s choice.