Genesis 25
Pastor Mark Hudson
The first 18 verses are an interesting summation of of Abraham’s last days. We also discover that Ishmael and Esau are no longer the center of of Moses’ narrative. Esaus receives attention in Jacob’s life but only in a minor role. We read in chapter 36 that Esau is blessed by God but not in terms of the promise through him or his descendants. In 25:19ff , we read of Isaac and his wife and her barrenness (another huge theme in the Bible), her pregnancy of Esau and Jacob and their birth described beginning in v. 24. Then we end with the older Esau despising his birthright handing it over to his younger (barely by a few seconds or minutes) brother for a cup of soup. This is a significant chapter due to all the themes that we find.
We do not know if Moses was ‘married’ to Keturah during Sarah’s lifetime. In narrative the presecriptive part (do this, not that) is not always found. The descriptive takes priority. This means that what the author describes is often at odds with what God prescribes. You have to be a careful reader to see this difference. No one should have had concubines and more than one wife (Gen 2:24). But time and time again we find believers violate this command. Because we read of a practice in the O.T. does not mean that is what God wants.
One theme you will find in the Bible is the baren woman theme. If you find a barren woman in the Bible, she will usually have a baby. If a birth seems impossible, she will be prayed for or will pray herself, an angel or God will appear and the baby will be called to a special task. Why can’t we grasp that God seems to rarely accomplish His will the easy way? When the way already looks hard, God seems to like to make it near impossible. If it is impossible, God gets the glory. You can tease this idea throughout the Bible and discover barren women have babies, vastly outnumbered people or armies win when God is on their side, and if the culture seems overwhelmingly powerful, God’s truth and people still overcome.
We often feel that we are blessed if our life is predictable, calm, with material blessings. If money is so important to God would He give it to the people who have it? Wealthy people can be (not always) berefit of any true spirituality. Yes, Abraham was wealthy and so were many saints, but many wealthy people are not made better by their wealth. Weath can have a corrupting effect on people. Rebekah is told that God grant Isaac’s prayer (v. 21) which she (and we) assume she is in for a much easier pregnancy. She can’t make sense of this fighting within her. “If it is thus (“the Lord granted his prayer” in v. 21), why is this happening to me? She asks in v. 22 and then inquires of God. She almost is saying, “God, if you are bringing me a child, why is this pregnancy so difficult?
She has two nations in her womb. With no ultra-sound equipment, this is the first time Rebekah knew she had twins. I can’t imagine she knew what the Lord’s message meant or the long-term consequences but those two would continue this struggle for decades. There is almost a fight going on inside Rebekah.
Now the choice of Jacob over Esau. We often conclude that in the O.T. the oldest son got a double portion of the inheritance and was always the favored one. This is the way the culture of the patriarchs was but is this God’s way? How many times do you find yourself puzzled that the older son is passed by for the younger son? That might be because God’s will is not reflected in culture. In the case of Jacob and Esau Mom and Dad made some mistakes. Jacob preferred Esau and Rebekah Jacob. We are told Jacob’s reason but not Rebekah’s. It seemed that these two who were once in love (24:67; 25:21), were no longer communicating to each other. They favored a different child (25:28), eavesdropped on each other’s conversations (27:5-6, 42), actively set one against the other without trying to hide it (27:8, 13, 17, 42), all with lasting and painful conseequences (division, Rebekah never saw Jacob again [possibly], and the turmoil in Isaac’s family is passed on to Jacob’s family). This is not to imply that parents are the cause of the difference between these two sons.
In the account starting in v. 29, this story reveals how different these two are. Jacob is conniving, deceitful, yet thinking of the future. Esau is worldly, hasty, and does not reflect on the consequences of his decisions. No one is without fault here. Esau exegerates his hunger but Jacob is mistreating his brother and taking advantage of Esau. Yet the emphasis of the author is on Esau who “despised his birthright” in v. 34. That birthright included not just a double portion of the father’s wealth but the spiritual benefits of the promised covenant. How can we overestimate the value of God’s promise?
Esau is portrayed as a crude, uncivilized man. He can barely spit out a complete sentence in v. 30. Esaus puts a bowl of stew over all the advantages of his birthright (though it was never his). After he eats, Jacob is cold and calculating. He wants the sale of the birthright and the swearing of it “now” (vs. 31, 33). Esau demonstrates, in this short pericope, his character and his disregard for the promise.
When the author concludes with, “Thus Esau despised his birthright” we may find that a bit jarring. After all, what about Jacob? Jacob is not innocent. Jacob is clearly not innocent but Moses looks at Esau and uses this moment in Esau’s life to demonstrate Esau’s desires and interests. Esau does not merely turn away a double portion of his father’s property. Esau, sold a personal tie to God’s eternal plan of redemption and the coming of the Messiah for a free lunch. Imagine if God offered you a portion or participation in the gospel? That would be all you could think about if you possessed an ounce of spirituality. Not Esau. He traded it away because he despised his birthright and God Himself.
Our dear heavenly Father, who we love with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind. Keep us from being worldly-minded concerned about money, savings, and all that surrounds this life. While we need to be wise by setting budgets, planning, working hard, voting, etc. we cannot afford to be single-minded in that focus. Turn our hearts to the kingdom of God. Revive and renew us so we are God-centered, gospel-loving, Spirit-filled believers. We pray that Your kingdom would come soon. In Christ’s holy name. Amen