Old Testament - Genesis 25 - February 22, 2022

2/22/2022 – Genesis 25

I was surprised to read that Abraham married again, after Sarah’s death. Her name is Keturah. Together, they had six children. In v 5 we read that “Abraham gave all that he had unto Isaac.” And then we learn in v 6 that Abraham also had concubines, but at this time he gave them gifts and sent them away from Isaac.

Abraham lived 175 years. And when he died “his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah” (v 9) which was where Sarah was buried.

We know much about the twelve tribes who eventually descended from Jacob (Isaac’s son), but v 16 tells us that Ishamael  also fathered  twelve tribes.

We know that Isaac married Rebekah when he was 40 years old, and he loved her--but v 21 tells us that Rebekah was barren. “And Isaac intreated the Lord for his wife, because she was barren; and the Lord was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.”  Again, their prayers were not answered quickly—it was a 20 year wait, for v 26 tells us that Isaac was 75 years old when she conceived.  Again, a long wait for answers to their prayers. 

During her pregnancy Rebekah began to worry, for she had two children who “struggled together within her” and so great was their struggle that “she went to enquire of the Lord.” (v 22) That phrase makes me think that she put much work into her prayers by going to a special place, possibly a holy place, to inquire of the Lord.   

Her answer came: “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.” (v23) That knowledge would give me much to worry about. I hope I, too, would have prayed for understanding.

When the boys were born, they were very different: Esau came first “red, all over like an hairy garment” (v 25) Jacob was second to be born, “and his hand took hold on Esau’s heel” (v 26)

The scriptures describe the boys as they grew: “Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field; and Jacob was a plain man, dwelling in tents.”  (v 27) The Hebrew word ‘plain’ used there means “whole, complete, or perfect,” so it is a very positive adjective.

V 28 tells us that Isaac and Rebekah had their favorites: “And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison; but Rebekah loved Jacob.” 

V’s 29-34 tell us of Esau giving up his birthright for some bread and lentils. 

This is what the study manual offered: “This rationalization seems to reflect more scorn than hunger. Jacob would almost certainly have succored Esau freely if his life were in jeopardy. The point of this account seems to be primarily to show how little value Esau placed on the birthright. His immediate bodily needs were more important to him than the rights of the covenant. Additional evidence of this attitude is Esau’s marriages to Canaanite women, which broke the covenant line (see Genesis 26:34–35). The birthright itself should have been a treasured thing. The highly desirable birthright blessing is the right to the presidency, or keys of the priesthood.”

Bruce R McConkie: “It appears that anciently under the Patriarchal Order certain special blessings, rights, powers, and privileges—collectively called the birthright—passed from the father to his firstborn son. (Gen. 43:33.) In later ages special blessings and prerogatives have been poured out upon all the worthy descendants of some who gained special blessings and birthrights anciently. (3 Ne. 20:25–27.) Justification for this system, in large part, lies in the pre-existent preparation and training of those born in the lines destined to inherit preferential endowments.” (Mormon Doctrine, p. 87.)

And more from the study manual: “In the patriarchal order this birthright was passed from father to son, who was often, but not always, the eldest son. Righteousness was a more important factor than being the firstborn.”  One more reminder to us that righteousness brings its own reward!