5. FIRST DESCENDANTS OF ABRAHAM (Genesis 25:11 - 50:26)

Isaac was Abraham's true heir. (Genesis 25:6 ) shows Abraham sending away the sons of Hagar and Keturah. Fond though he was of them, he knew that Isaac was the son of promise (Galatians 4:23 ) and that it was in Isaac that his seed was called (Genesis 21:12 ).

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"God blessed his son Isaac" (Genesis 25:11)

God's blessing brings increase, prosperity and success. The blessing of Abraham given to Isaac, which belongs to every believer (Galatians 3:14 ).

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"Sons of Ishmael" (Genesis 25:13)

Ishmael's descendants are given briefly in Genesis 25:12-16. God fulfilled His promise of Genesis 17:20.

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"Isaac pleaded with the Lord for his wife" (Genesis 25:21)

The history of Isaac and his sons is recorded in Genesis 25:19- 34. God had appointed Rebekah to be the bride of Isaac (Genesis 24:14, 44 ). Being barren was a test for Isaac's faith - he rose to the test with prayer - believing the covenant God had made. Her conception was directly out of prayer and faith.

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"Struggled together" (Genesis 25:22)

Even before their birth there was mutual antipathy with Esau and Jacob (Genesis 25:22 ), pointing to the New Testament truth of the Spirit and the flesh being antagonistic (Galatians 5:19 ). Rebekah asked the Lord why they struggled within her. The Lord gave the answer (Genesis 25:23 ) 'two nations.' Israel was to be the stronger. "Older shall serve the younger." Genesis 25:23. Edom was conquered by David (2 Samuel 8:14 ). God chose the younger in grace (Romans 9:11,12 ). The divine principle operating was that no flesh should glory (1 Corinthians 1:26-29 ). All the glory is the Lord's. So, no question how God uses another and how He uses you. (Read Romans 9:19-21 ).

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"Jacob cooked a stew"

Genesis 25:27-34 gives briefly and dramatically the sale of the birthright of Isaac. Esau unmindful of the importance of the birthright, readily sold it to Jacob for the pottage he had cooked. Esau despised his birthright. Jacob had spiritual ambitions, possibly because of the word of promise (Genesis 25:23 ). His eagerness was commendable, his means to bring it about, were not. It was an act of the flesh, not faith.

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"Famine in the land"

A summary of incidents in the life of Isaac is given in Genesis 26. Isaac, like Abraham, to protect himself pretends that his wife is his sister (Genesis 26:1-11 ). Sadly, a father's weakness often reappears in the life of his son. The same grace shown him in divine intervention. The man he feared became his protector (Genesis 26:11 ).

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"Reaped ... a hundredfold"

Abraham was mostly a shepherd. Isaac engaged in agriculture, and led a settled life. Prospered by God he enjoyed phenomenal harvest (Genesis 26:12 ) a hundredfold. He continued to prosper (Genesis 26:13, 14 ). God will do for us more abundantly than we can ask or think. (Ephesians 3:20 ).

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"The philistines envied him"

Strife over wells broke out (Genesis 26:18-22 ). The believer enjoys power, peace, prosperity. No wonder the world envies. When one well was filled in by the envious, Isaac dug another. When the strife increased, he moved. The Lord made room for Isaac. (Rehoboth means 'room').

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"From there to beersheba"

Beersheba means 'the well of the oath' (Genesis 26:23 ). As he sought to renew his covenant obligations the Lord met with him immediately (Genesis 26:23-35 ) giving him reassurance.

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"We have certainly seen that the Lord is with you"

His old rivals sought him out - they had hated, but now wanted a pact of friendship because they saw the Lord was with him (Genesis 26:26-33 ). The same day he sent the Philistines away in peace, his servants reported they had found water. Surely "he who waters, will also be watered himself". (Proverbs 11:25; Psalm 46:4 ).

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"Esau took as wives"

He took Hittite wives (Genesis 26:34,35 ). A cause for grief on the part of his faithful parents.

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"And indeed he shall be blessed"

Isaac could not re-call the blessing put upon Jacob in spite of the deception practised (Genesis 27:33 ). Genesis 27 shows God working out His purposes, as someone has said, 'through a tangled skein of human weakness and deception.' All four members of the patriarchal family acted deceitfully. Two of them, Isaac and Esau, seek to frustrate the revealed purpose of God (Genesis 25:23 ). The remaining two, Rebekah and Jacob seek to carry out that purpose, but from low motives and by wrong methods. Each of the four is rebuked and disappointed. Isaac is deceived and frightened. Esau loses all and cannot regain it, not with bitter tears (Hebrews 12:16-17 ), that which he despised and threw away. What a warning to those who despise the grace offered in Christ (Matthew 8:12 ). Jacob is driven from his home and mother for 20 years. Rebekah possibly did not see him when he returned as she is not mentioned again, and possibly had died by that time.

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"So Isaac sent Jacob away"

Jacob finds it wise to leave home. He does so with Isaac's blessing, charged to take a wife from the daughters of Laban (Genesis 27:46 - 28:5 ). Isaac fully recognises that the blessing of Abraham is to be with Jacob and his descendants. He came in line again with God's purposes.

QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. Why, when Rebekah was appointed of God to be Isaac's bride, was she found to be barren?
   • How did Isaac respond to the test?
   • How do you respond to the test of your faith?
2. What New Testament truth did the mutual antipathy in the womb of Rebekah illustrate?
   • What was the Lord's answer to the struggle within her?
3. Do you believe Rebekah's favouring of Jacob affected his character?
   • Could it be that Esau's wild nature owed much to Isaac's favouring and encouragement?
   • What practices should you and your partner develop in the interest of your childrens' welfare?
4. Can the selfish bargaining of Jacob over the birthright be excused? Or this disdain for the birthright by Esau?
   • Do you think fleshly desires can taint spiritual aspirations?
5. What change of occupation did Isaac take up from that of his father?
   • To whom did he owe his prosperity?
   • Do you see God as one who gives abundantly?
   • Is God giving to you in abundance, more than you ask or think?
6. What was Isaac's response to the strife and envy of others?
   • Do you believe God to be the source of your power - peace - prosperity?
   • Is He the God who makes room for you?
7. What is the meaning of Beersheba? What happens when, like Isaac, you renew your obligations to the Lord?
8. Who can make old rivals to be at peace?
   • When did Isaac's servants report finding water?
   • What is the lesson for you?
9. Do you think that both Isaac and Rebekah were sorry that Esau took Hittite wives who were a source of trouble to them? What do you desire for your children?
10. Are you shocked that Rebekah deliberately planned to deceive her husband?
    • What had happened to their relationship?
    • Would love and open discussion have changed Isaac's decision to give Esau the blessing of the firstborn?
    • Do you think Jacob learned the part of deception well, or was he so self-deceived he had persuaded himself it was the only course to take?
    • Did any one of them come out well from this contrived situation?
    • What were the consequences for each participant?
11. In which way did Isaac come in line again with God's purposes? What was Isaac's charge to Jacob?