Genesis 25 "Abraham Dies""Twins Born"

v8"Then Abraham gave up the ghost and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years and was gathered to his people."

The highlights of this chapter are: 1)Abraham remarries and has several children with his new wife but it is clear that the promise and leadership of the budding nation goes to Issac. 2) the burial 3) generations of Ishmael and Issac 4) birth of Esau and Jacob 5) Esau sells his birthright .

We have taken a long journey from the creation through the flood and on to the calling out of Abraham. Issac is born to Abraham and Sarah in their old age. Abraham has received the promise from the Lord and it has been confirmed on several occasions. Abraham has been severely tested. Through all this journey we can note that sin has been present since the sin in the garden. We have also seen the grace of God in preserving Noah and blessing Abraham. We have not found perfect people but we have found people of faith and as the book of Romans says it was counted to them for righteousness. Romans 4:4-5 "Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness." The whole book of Romans is a good read on the comparison of works verses faith and the law verses grace. I believe that man is incapable of righteousness by his own merits and I believe God knows this. However, by faith we can become righteous, not through our own merits but through faith in the finished work of the Lord. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. So by doing this study we are gaining more faith.

So, we have seen Abraham, who was not perfect in the sense that we think of perfect, but he was a man of faith and God honored that faith.

v24 "And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled behold there were twins in her womb." They were named Esau and Jacob. Esau was born first and was a hairy man of the fields. A hunter. Jacob was a farmer and had smooth skin. Issac seemed to like Esau best because of the meat he brought. Rebekah seemed to like Jacob better.

In verses 29-34 the boys are grown. Esau has been out in the fields and came home very hunger and faint. Jacob had some pottage on, which Esau desired. Here we see the nature of Jacob at this time. He would only give Esau food as the price of Esau's birthright. I suppose we wonder how a deed such as this could have anything but symbolic meaning. But that deal, however crafty it was, did have long lasting effects on the future of the boys.

These are two very different boys. I have not found why Jacob was chosen as the receiver of the promise. Perhaps it is not for me to know. To bring it forward to today, I do not know why God decided to love me either. I know myself pretty good, I guess, I can tell you that I am in the family of God only because of grace and not on merit.

Let's jump back to v9 "And his sons Issac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelab..." The boys buried their father. I guess we had about forgotten about Ishmael. Remember he was an archer and dwelt in the wilderness but he was around and apparently kept up with things for he was at the funeral of his father Abraham. I'm pointing this out because I can imagine the day Ishmael rode in to attend the funeral. He was no doubt a rugged looking fellow and must have traveled with his fighting men. His appearance was perhaps a good memory for the budding nation since they too would someday be fierce fighting men.

Proverbs 22:2 "The rich and poor meet together: the Lord is the maker of them all."