Genesis 25 – Abraham’s Death and the Birth of Esau and Jacob

Genesis 25 brings us to Abraham’s death, after a long life. He had taken another wife, had many other sons, and gave them gifts. But verse 5 makes it clear that Isaac was his main heir, as God intended.  Abraham died at an old age and was buried with Sarah.  Notice verse 9 says that Isaac and Ishmael buried him in that cave.  Nothing is said in scripture about Abraham having a relationship with Ishmael after Hagar and he left, but there obviously was contact of some type between Ishmael and his family.  Verse 18 finishes with Ishmael’s death after having 12 sons who were princes as the Lord had promised.

Rebekah becomes pregnant with twins and verse 22 says they “struggled” within her.  Note God’s explanation to her in verse 23.  Do you think that had anything to do with Jacob becoming her favorite?  Notice that in verse 26, Isaac was 60 years old when Jacob and Esau were born.  Doing the math, that means they were born 15 years before Abraham died (v 7- Abraham died age 175. and in Gen 21:5 – Abraham was 100 when Isaac was born).  So Abraham must have known these two grand-children.

The first-born (even by no more than a heel – v 26) had a privilege of birthright – a double portion of inheritance – which Esau sells to Jacob for a plate of stew!  Esau did not respect his birthright, and Jacob used that knowledge to get what he wanted.

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/Robert