To ensure that God’s promise to Abraham, that he would be the father of many nations, he marries a woman named Keturah, Genesis 25:1. Please note she was his concubine, 1 Chronicles 1:32. It was through her that he had six sons, seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, Genesis 25:2-4.
It’s clear that God was blessing him, as he was well over one hundred years of age at this time; he still managed to have six children, even when his body was physically old. Having children was a sign of a blessing.
It’s important to note that all these children went on to produce nations which would eventually fill the Promised Land after they were delivered from Egypt around four hundred years later.
Notice also that the land promise and seed promise are now given to Isaac, Genesis 25:5 / Genesis 3:15 / Genesis 21:12. While Abraham was still living, he gave gifts to the sons of his concubines and sent them away from his son Isaac to the land of the east, Genesis 25:6.
Coffman, in his commentary, says the following.
‘The arrangements of these successive lists of names pertaining to Keturah, Ishmael, and to Isaac in that order, similar to the sequence followed in 1 Chronicles 1:32, where the sons of Keturah are listed BEFORE the listing of Isaac’s sons, falls little short of a declaration that the sons of Keturah PRECEDED the birth of Isaac. Also note that in that place Keturah is called Abraham’s ‘concubine,’ not his wife.’
Abraham lived to a hundred and seventy-five years old before he died, Genesis 25:7-8. The phrase, ‘gathered to his people’, Genesis 25:8, is very common in Scripture, especially in reference to the death of the patriarchs, Genesis 25:17 / Genesis 35:29 / Genesis 49:29 / Numbers 20:24 / Numbers 27:13, and seems to indicate that they have joined those who have already died, Genesis 15:15 / Matthew 22:31-33 / Hebrews 11:13-16.
Abraham’s death at the age of one hundred and seventy-five years means that he lived until Jacob and Esau were about fifteen. Please also note that both Isaac and Ishmael joined in with their father’s funeral, Genesis 25:9.
He was buried in the same cave as their mother, Sarah, the cave of Machpelah, Genesis 25:10 / Genesis 23:17-20. God then blessed Isaac, who then lived near Beer Lahai Roi, Genesis 25:11. Beer Lahai Roi was where the angel of the Lord found Hagar, and means ‘the God who sees,’ Genesis 16:14. This is also the place where Isaac and Rebekah meet, Genesis 24:62.
Seventy times Abraham is mentioned in the New Testament, eighty times Moses is mentioned in the New Testament; this tells us that Abraham was a great man of God.
Abraham is the great patriarch of Israel, and to Christians, ‘He is the father of us all,’ Romans 4:16. The faith of Abraham pleased God, James 2:21. God visited Abraham on several unique occasions.
The Lord spoke to him numerous times, once in a vision, Genesis 15:1-21, and once in the form of three visitors, Genesis 18:1-2. He carried out a brave rescue of Lot when his nephew was taken captive after the Battle of the Valley of Siddim, Genesis 14:1-7.
God tested Abraham severely in more than one instance, and Abraham demonstrated great faith, trust, and obedience to the will of God. He was well respected and successful in his occupation. He also had the courage to face a powerful enemy coalition.
1. His faith pleased God.
2. Became the father of the Jewish nation.
3. Was respected by others and was courageous in defending his family at any cost.
4. Was not only a caring father to his own family, but also practised hospitality to others.
5. Was a successful and wealthy landowner.
6. Usually avoided conflicts, but when they were unavoidable, he allowed his opponent to set the rules for settling the dispute.
Sadly, like most of us, Abraham made some mistakes, especially when he was under pressure. When it came to telling the truth about his wife Sarah, he lied twice, Genesis 12:10-20 / Genesis 20:2-12.
Here we have the account of Ishmael’s family line. Hagar was Sarah’s Egyptian slave whom she gave to Abraham as his wife, Genesis 25:12 / Genesis 16:3. Ishmael had twelve children, Genesis 25:13-15, and these were the names of the twelve tribal rulers according to their settlements and camps, Genesis 25:16. Note also that Ishmael had two daughters, Genesis 28:9 / Genesis 36:3.
Constable, in his commentary, says the following.
‘These verses show that God fulfilled His promises regarding Ishmael, Genesis 16:10-12 / Genesis 17:20.’
Why do we have the genealogy of Ishmael recorded here? There seem to be two reasons.
1. God wanted the Israelites to know that He had fulfilled His promise to Hagar, that through Ishmael, many nations would come, Genesis 16:12 / Genesis 21:18.
2. God wanted a written record available to Israel in order to remind her that the nations that came from Ishmael were the descendants of Isaac’s half-brother.
Ishmael lived a hundred and thirty-seven years and was gathered to his people, Genesis 25:17 / Genesis 25:8. At the time Abraham was buried, Ishmael was nearly ninety years old.
Ishmael’s descendants settled in the area from Havilah, which was once known for its gold, Genesis 2:11-12, to Shur, near the eastern border of Egypt, toward Ashur, Genesis 25:18. Notice they lived in hostility toward all the tribes related to them, Genesis 25:18.
When you read through the Scriptures, you will soon discover, because of jealousy, that there was going to be and continues to be serious tension between Israel and the surrounding seed of Abraham through Hagar and Keturah.
Here we have the account of Isaac’s family line. Abraham was Isaac’s father, Genesis 25:19. Isaac was forty years old when he married Rebekah, daughter of Bethuel the Aramean, Genesis 25:20 / Genesis 24:67. Paddan Aram is Rebekah’s homeland, Genesis 25:20.
Notice that she was childless for around twenty years, Isaac prayed, and the Lord answered his prayer, James 5:16, and she became pregnant, Genesis 25:21 / Genesis 25:26. Isaac and Rebekah only had two sons, Esau and Jacob. Rebekah asked God what was wrong, Genesis 25:22, and God told her she was having twins, Genesis 25:23.
Even before the children were born, there was tension, which was because they were both different characters from which would come two nations which would struggle with each other for generations to come, Genesis 25:23.
This is an illustration of God’s choosing, Romans 9:10-13, the older one would serve the younger one, Genesis 25:23. God chose between the two before they were even born, Malachi 1:2-3.
When the time came for Rebekah to give birth, there were twin boys in her womb, Genesis 25:24. The name Esau means ‘hairy’; he had red hair, Genesis 25:25, and the name Jacob means ‘heel catcher’, Genesis 25:26, which refers to the way he was holding on to his brother’s heel when he was born.
That phrase, ‘grasping Esau’s heel’, Genesis 25:26, is a Hebrew expression which means he deceives; that’s why Jacob’s name means ‘deceitful’. Remember, it was Old Testament practice that the firstborn inherited the legal rights of the family. Here, Esau was the firstborn son, and so, he had the legal rights to the heritage of Isaac.
Esau and Jacob’s personalities and tastes were very different. Esau was a manly man; he was the hunter, Genesis 25:27, whilst Jacob seems to be more of a mummy’s boy, whose focus was on God, Genesis 25:27 / Genesis 6:9 / Job 1:8.
Each parent had an individual favourite. Isaac loved his son, Esau, but Rebekah loved Jacob, Genesis 25:28. Because we know how this story ends, it’s clear that love one the day, Romans 9:10-13.
Jacob was cooking some stew. Esau came in famished, Genesis 25:29. He then asked Jacob for some of the red stew, Genesis 25:30. Notice that Esau is also called Edom, Genesis 25:30. This is an indication of the tensions which would grow for generations to come between the two nations which would come from Jacob and Esau.
Jacob tells him before he eats, sell him his birthright, Genesis 25:31. Esau is starving to death, so to speak, and asks, what good is the birthright to him, Genesis 25:32.
Jacob demands that he swear an oath to him first, and Esau did, and in doing so, he sold his birthright to Jacob, Genesis 25:33. In return for Esau’s birthright, Jacob gives him some bread and some lentil stew, and after enjoying his meal get gets up and leaves, Genesis 25:34.
Notice Esau despised his birthright, Genesis 25:34. What was the birthright? The birthright was all about possessions, Deuteronomy 21:17, a double portion was given to the firstborn. There were rights for the older son; he became the head and spiritual leader of the family, seed, and land promise, 1 Chronicles 5:1-2.
There’s no doubt that Jacob was being worldly-minded; he wanted to gain something that God had already given him. Esau was trying to sell something that wasn’t his. Why? Possibly because the dream was better than the reality.
Even today, people are still selling their birthright because of some stew. People spend so much time on other things rather than spending time with God. In the New Testament, we read about the Christian’s birthright, adoption, expectancy, redemption, Ephesians 1:3-14.
God’s grace is used all the time, but not because of our performance. Esau sold his rights, Genesis 25:31-33 / Hebrews 12:16, and his character showed God’s wisdom in the choice that He made. The fact that Esau despised his birthright, Genesis 25:34, tells us that he gladly traded his birthright for a bowl of stew, Genesis 25:34.
Jamieson, in his commentary, says the following.
‘Never was any meat, except the forbidden fruit, so dearly bought, as this broth of Jacob!’
Like we just read, Esau, being the manly man, the hunter, the great outdoors person, came in from hunting one day and was hungry. Jacob told him that he would give him a big bowl of stew that he had prepared in exchange for his birthright. And without any hesitation, Esau gave up his entire inheritance right there and then, Genesis 25:27-34.
Even though Esau was wrong in doing what he did, Jacob should never have taken advantage of the situation. Remember what the Bible says when Jacob was being born, seconds later, Genesis 25:26.
That phrase, ‘grasping Esau’s heel’, Genesis 25:26, is a Hebrew expression which means he deceives; that’s why Jacob’s name means ‘deceitful’. And make no mistake about it, Jacob knew exactly what he was doing when he stole his brother’s birthright.
In fact, later on, he and his mum, Rebekah, were going to plot together to steal Esau’s blessing as well, Genesis 27:6-17. And so, because of all this plotting and deception, Esau ended up hating his brother and planned to kill him after their father died, Genesis 27:41.
Jacob was more of a mummy’s boy; he loved to stay at home with his mum, but when he found out what Esau was planning to do to him, he basically ran away for his life, Genesis 27:41-43. Yes, Jacob was deceitful, but deep inside, he had a heart that wanted to know God and follow Him.
Esau was the opposite; in fact, in the Bible, Esau is shown as the prime example of someone who lusts after the flesh, 1 John 2:15-16. Esau is the prime example of people who are chasing after their fleshly desires, Hebrews 12:15-17.
When Esau finally realised how stupid he had been, he cried his heart out and begged Isaac to restore his birthright. But, despite all of his crying, Esau wasn’t sorry for his worldly, selfish attitude; he was only sorry that he lost his inheritance, 2 Corinthians 7:10. Esau was only sorry because he got caught in his lust and that he lost his inheritance, but he never had the desire to change.
Later, after Isaac died, the fulfilment of Esau’s loss came to pass because Jacob had moved back home, and he and Esau had apparently reconciled, Genesis 33:4-9. But notice what happened after they met, Genesis 36:6, Esau moved to another land some distance away from his brother. Why did he move so far away?
The country that Esau had lived in all of his life now belonged to Jacob, and there wasn’t enough room for both of them. And so, as you can imagine, Esau is fuming, he’s raging with anger, but he realises there’s nothing he can do about it.
Esau, the firstborn son, who lost his birthright through foolishness, was forced to move from his homeland and die in a foreign land. Is it fair for God to love one and hate the other? Romans 9:13.
It has to be done with a purpose. The question should be, how did God love Jacob? It should be noted that Jacob did nothing better than Esau; it had nothing to do with their performance.
The Edomites were descendants of Esau, and the Bible tells us that this hatred never stopped, even when both of them died. Ezekiel is writing whilst he’s in exile, and he says that Edom’s hatred for Israel is ‘ancient’, in other words, it’s been there for years and years, Ezekiel 35:5.
All the way through Old Testament history, we read about how the Edomites mistreated and murdered God’s people. The first incident occurred soon after Israel became a nation. You remember what happened when the Israelites were wandering in the wilderness, don’t you?
They came to Edom and asked if they could pass through their land and promised that they wouldn’t touch any of the vineyards, or crops, or even take any water from their wells, Numbers 20:17-19. Moses speaks to them as brothers, but the king of Edom says no to his brothers and gives them a warning, Numbers 20:18.
And if you read on, you’ll see that they brought out their army to show Israel that they meant business. Think about this for a moment. This whole event took place over four hundred years after Esau and Jacob parted ways. Now that was just the start of Edom’s sin against God’s people.
Obadiah tells Edom that God is going to judge them for their violence toward Jacob, Obadiah 10-11. As I said, the Edomites had a long history of showing violence toward Israel, and one of those times was when Nebuchadnezzar invaded Jerusalem.
When Jerusalem was being destroyed, the Edomites were rejoicing, Psalm 137:7. So that hatred went on for years and years, but it didn’t stop there.
Even when we come to the New Testament, we’re introduced to a man named Herod the Great. He was the one who tried to kill the newly born Jesus by slaughtering all the baby boys under two years old, Matthew 2:16.
His son, Herod Antipas, was the one who murdered John the Baptist, Mark 6:14-16. His grandson, Herod Agrippa, was the one who killed James, the brother of Jesus and tried to kill Simon Peter, Acts 12:1-5.
All these men were Edomites, and they constantly persecuted God’s people who were descendants of Jacob. The Jewish historian, Josephus, says that when the Romans stormed Jerusalem in A.D. 70 and ravaged the city, the Edomites joined in and helped massacre thousands of Jews whilst torturing others.
All this happened over eighteen hundred years after Jacob and Esau had parted company. Esau’s descendants still hadn’t learned to forgive Jacob, and as a result, that hatred grew, and all they wanted was vengeance, Hebrews 12:14-15.
What was God’s judgment against Edom? In the book of Obadiah, we see God is now pronouncing His judgment upon the Edomites, and so Obadiah’s message begins with the condemnation of Edom, which was the nation that descended from Esau. God says that Edom was filled with pride, Obadiah 3.
There was a part of Edom that was practically impossible for any enemy to penetrate, and that was the capital city of Petra. The word Petra means ‘rock’, and it’s easy to see how it got its name. Petra was an isolated fortress only accessible through a deep canyon, with high mountain walls all around.
In fact, history tells us that Petra was so treacherous to approach that it could defend itself against an army using only twelve men. We can imagine how proud they were of their fortress; they are so proud of it that Obadiah mentions the ‘mountains of Esau’ four times in the text.
The Edomites thought they were so great, so powerful, so mighty that nobody could bring them down. But oh, how wrong they were; they were going to be brought down to planet Earth with a thud by God Himself.
In Proverbs 6, we find Solomon writing about the six things which the Lord hates and notice what’s first on His hate list, Proverbs 6:17. The first sin on God’s hate list is ‘haughty eyes’, in other words, people who are full of themselves.
This is why God hates pride so much, because pride takes all the credit for what God has done. It was pride that caused Satan to be kicked out of Heaven. It was pride that caused Eve to eat the forbidden fruit because she wanted to be like God. It was pride that caused the nations to be scattered to the ends of the earth at the tower of Babel.
It was pride that caused Nebuchadnezzar to eat grass like an ox and caused his hair to grow like eagles’ feathers and his nails to grow like birds’ claws. It was pride that caused the rich fool to think he had plenty to keep him going. I’m just going to chill out, eat, drink and be merry, he thought to himself. It was pride that caused the disciples to argue over which one of them was the greatest.
It was pride that caused Herod to accept the praises of men as if he were God and to be struck dead and be eaten by worms. And it will be pride that will cause the man of sin to sit in the temple and demand to be worshipped as God.
The Edomites were so proud of their invincibility against any attackers. They were convinced that there wasn’t a nation in the world that could take them down, but oh, how they forgot about God. God told Edom that one day they would be slaughtered, which basically means they would cease to exist as a nation, Obadiah 8-9.
And this process began around 300 A.D. when a group of Arabs conquered their holy capital city of Petra. Over the years, other nations came along and attacked them until finally they were completely destroyed by the Romans around A.D. 70.
And so, the Edomites, who were a people full of hatred and full of pride, were finally judged by God, and they ceased to be a nation. Years and years of hostility, all because of a bowl of stew, Genesis 25:29-34.