Review of Genesis 25

— by Victor Fawole

Thy words unto my taste are sweet,
O Lord of hosts, Thy truth I love;
The light it shed, before my feet
Streams from Thy dazzling place above.

It is with the words of this hymn that I welcome you back to our “No Bible, No Breakfast” spiritual exercise. We resume with Genesis 25, a chapter that moves from Abraham’s family to Isaac’s family. Let us review together:

1. FINAL FAREWELL

Gen. 25:7-8 And these are the days of the years of Abraham’s life which he lived, an hundred threescore and fifteen years. Then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to his people.

After Sarah’s death, Abraham married Keturah and had six more sons with her. Over all, Abraham had eight sons — Isaac (from Sarah), Ishmael (from Hagar), and six others (from Keturah). Each of these sons were “fathers” of different nations, but God’s plan and covenant was specifically with Isaac. From heaven’s viewpoint, only Isaac was the son of promise. Others were sons of flesh. Hence, Abraham had to part them away from the son of promise. They did not belong in the Promised Land.

This is the end of Abraham’s story, and he lived as one of the most important figures in the Bible. In fact, he is mentioned 70 times in the New Testament.

2. COVENANT CONTINUANCE

Gen. 25:21 And Isaac intreated the LORD for his wife, because she was barren: and the LORD was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.

Isaac’s wife waited twenty years before she could get pregnant, and I love how the Bible emphasized that Isaac’s attitude was that of prayer and trusting God. Unlike Abraham and Sarah, he didn’t try a shortcut with a maid. They didn’t argue about it. They prayed!

When God opened Rebekah’s womb, she felt a “tug of war” going on inside of her.

Gen. 25:22 And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to enquire of the LORD.

What happened here was a “power tussle”. The Hebrew word for “struggled together” (rāṣaṣ) carries the idea of oppression and crushing into pieces. A real battle. Rebekah’s response is worthy of applause. She turned to God in prayers. She “enquired of the LORD”. Wow! And right there, she got God’s explanation and expectation of the future.

Gen. 25:23 And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.

Here, you will notice:

• The Twins: She was carrying twins. If it was one child, there wouldn’t have been a struggle
• The Tussle: Each of the boys would father two separate nations that would struggle for dominance and supremacy.
• The Truth: The older will serve the younger, a prophecy that would determine their future. This election is God’s own plan and sovereignty at work. (Rom. 9:10-13)
• The Times: This struggle in the womb is just a preamble to a lifetime of conflict.

3. THE RED GUY & THE REAL GUY

Gen. 25:24-26 And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb. And the first came out red, all over like an hairy garment; and they called his name Esau. And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau’s heel; and his name was called Jacob: and Isaac was threescore years old when she bare them.

Two boys were born into the family of Isaac. God’s explanation to Rebekah was dramatized at their birth. Both of them got their names due to the drama each performed. More so, Jacob and Esau were very different from each other in their personality and tastes. The remaining verses of this chapter describe the lives and relationships in Isaac’s family.

To further understand the problem with Esau and the selling of his birthright, permit me to introduce you to Pastor Dammy’s article titled: “Esau & His Lust”

Grace to you, Church!