genesis 25 and 26

Read Genesis 25 and 26 at Bible Gateway.

The Hebrew paragraph divisions in our chapters are:

Gen 25:1-11 {p} The seed of Abraham by Keturah
Gen 25:12-18 {p} The seed of Ishmael (the seed of Abraham by Hagar)
Gen 25:19-34 {p} The seed of Isaac (the seed of Abraham by Sarah)
Gen 26:1-33 {s} Contention over Isaac’s wife, and wells of water (life of Isaac repeats events from the life of Abraham)
Gen 26:34-35 {s} Esau’s wives

What is the birthright that Esau despised? In Hebrew families, the oldest son of the family had responsibilities to the family beyond those of his siblings, and received privileges beyond those of his siblings in order to carry out those responsibilities. The oldest son became the patriarch of the family when the father died. He inherited his father’s responsibility to ensure that the family was cared for; was protected; and that the household learned and walked in the Lord’s ways (Gen 18:19). He was responsible to render judgments and settle disputes among the family. His brothers were the fathers of their own households, so the oldest son did not micro manage his brothers’ affairs, but if his brothers were failing in their responsibility to their families in some way, it was the oldest son’s responsibility to call them to account.

The oldest son received privileges to help him carry out his responsibilities. He received a double portion of the inheritance from his father. This material wealth helped him care for the widows, orphans, and unmarried sisters of the clan. Also, he received the father’s authority. Everyone in the clan recognized that he was the one in charge, that his decisions settled matters. These responsibilities and privileges were the birthright.

In Abraham’s family, the birthright carried an extra benefit: as we saw with Isaac and Ishmael (Gen 17:18-21), the son who received the birthright received God’s promise to Abraham that through their seed Abraham’s descendants would be called; through their seed the Promised Seed would come; that God would establish His covenant with their seed.

Esau despised his birthright, as it did not mean more to him than filling his belly momentarily. The greatest portion of the birthright that Esau despised was Abraham’s covenant with the Lord God! Esau despised that covenant, but Jacob loved it and desired it – no wonder God said, “Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated,” (Rom 9:13). Esau shows us that he was a man ruled by his passions, who made decisions based on what would get Esau what Esau wanted at that moment. Also, we see that Esau’s Hittite (pagan) wives were a grief of mind to Isaac and Rebekah (Gen 26:34-35) – however, they were not a grief of mind to Esau!

The whole picture of Esau that the Scripture paints in these few verses is one who couldn’t care less about the family or the Lord! Knowing this about Esau makes it hard to believe that he would be like his grandfather Abraham, of whom the Lord said, “I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they may keep the way of the LORD,” (Gen 18:19)!

In these chapters we also see that contention is directed toward Isaac because of God’s blessing upon him. Isaac was minding his own business, but the pagans he was among could not stop themselves from contending over his wife, his prosperity, or his wells of water. But it also highlights something else – Isaac practiced the same character trait as his father Abraham, in that he relinquished his rights when confronted. In fact, this is a also a character trait of the Lord God!

What comforts me about these chapters, is first of all, Abraham loved God and kept His commandments, statues, charge, and torah (Gen 26:5). Isaac loved God, and walked in the way of his father Abraham with God. But they both made mistakes. God did not tell Abraham to take Hagar for a wife. God did not tell Isaac to prefer Esau over Jacob. And yet, in spite of their mistakes, God still worked out His plan and purpose for their children, and still brought His promises to pass. It gives me hope for my own family.

For further reading:

Law or torah?
The Tares Among the Wheat by Brad Scott – if YHVH is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who is the god of Cain, Ishmael, and Esau?