Genesis: Isaac - the story of two sons

Isaac – story of two sons

Text: Genesis 25:19 – 28:9

Outline:

Introduction: Birth of Esau and Jacob, 25:19-26

 a. Grown “boys”, part I, 25:27-34

   b. Attack of the Philistines, 26:1-33

 a'. Grown “boys”, part II, 26:34-28:9

   c. Esau takes two wives, 26:34-35

     d. Blessing of the sons, 27

     d'. The real blessing of Jacob, 28:1-5

   c'. Esau take third wife, 28:6-9

Comments: The character of Isaac is one of the most complex in the Bible. He had to go through the sacrifice experience (Genesis 22), mourned for his mother for about 3 years until he was comforted by his wife Rebekah (Genesis 23 and 24). And prayed for his wife to be able to bear a child (Genesis 25:21). Then the boys grew and he preferred one over the other... for better or for worse... that's the story.

Introduction. Rebekah resembles Sarah – being barren. Isaac's prayer for her is the main factor of her ability to conceive. This presents him as a godly husband, taking the responsibility for the future generations. Interesting that after getting two sons (two at once), we don't hear about his prayers to have more children...

Rebekah came to ask the LORD about the fate of twins in her womb. And the LORD told her that the consequences of this pregnancy will have world-wide impact – two nations, and the older will serve the younger. It is safe to assume that she shared this news with Isaac. Also, it is possible to consider that Rebekah was “discipled” by Abraham. Even though we have a description of his death and burial in a preceding paragraph, the chronology tells us that he still was alive until the boys – Esau and Jacob – reached 15 years old.

A. Now we skip many-many years (between 25:26 and 25:27). To become a skillful hunter takes years. The boys have grown and we have two “stories” at hand. The very first one tells us that Isaac loved Esau – reason being the food his older son cooked. While Rebekah loved Jacob – period – no reason is given. This tells that the love of Isaac is rewards based … he is getting spiritually blind.

Then the second story begins with the the exhausted Esau coming back to the camp from the field (NB, cp. Genesis 3:1, 4:8). He asks brother for food, and Jacob (jokingly) asks for the birthright in return. To his surprise Esau agrees – we know he didn't expect this outcome for Jacob now wants to make it “legal” – swear to me now (25:33). The author of Genesis says: Esau despised his birthright (25:34). Yet, Isaac still preferred Esau (27:1-4).

B. Chapter 26 resembles the stories from the life of Isaac's father (chps. 12 ans 21). There are a couple of differences that should be pointed out. Unlike his dad, Isaac is not into altar building “business.” But he still marks the land – by digging wells (26:17-22). Only after the LORD appeared to him at Beersheba (well of oath or well of seven) he builds an altar (26:25).

Also, his interaction with the Philistines leads to the covenant agreement between Isaac and Abimelech (26:26-33). Regardless of the trickery Isaac did to the king, calling Rebekah his sister (26:5-11), the LORD saw it as a wise practice of protection against the heathens. He blessed Isaac with a great harvest (allowing him to stay at the same place for a few years), and leading the Philistines to realize the power of the LORD who was backing up Isaac.

A'. Now we have one of the most difficult chapters in the Bible. Usually, people read it as a story how Jacob stole the blessing from Esau. He did not – that's why. First, it is Rebekah and not Jacob who devised the whole charade. Second, the point of the charade is not to withdraw a blessing for Jacob out of Isaac – the purpose was to wake him up from spiritual blindness (or sleep). Isaac preferred the “wrong” son for 70+ years. The goal was achieved (27:33). And later Isaac blesses the son of the son who cared for the covenant knowingly (28:1). Third, if we believe that the blessing of chapter 27 is a true blessing that can not be revoked, we have to believe in magic – the word spoken has such a binding power that regardless of the circumstances it can't be changed. This goes against the Bible. Remember a story how the sons of the High Priest tried to use the name of Jesus (Acts 19:13-17). The sound of His name didn't do them any good. Same is true here – when Isaac found out of what happened he could've revoked his blessing.

Also, what is noteworthy – the “blessings” story is surrounded with the marriages of Esau. First he takes two Hittite women as his wives – Judith and Basemath. Both Isaac and Rebekah were impacted by this – not in a good way (cp. bitterness, Ruth 1:19-21). These two women made Rebekah loath her life (27:45), and to make things right, Esau married a daughter of Ishmael – did he try to make things right?? (28:9). He hated his brother so much that Jacob is advised by the parents to run to Haran – to find mom's brother Laban and his family.