Ep. #09 “ISAAC” [Series: GENESIS & JOB]

Abraham gets very old and has no grandchildren. His son, Isaac, through whom his descendants will be numbered, is single. They live in Canaan, surrounded by people who do not believe in God. So, Abraham sends his trusted servant, whose name is unknown, back to Abraham’s home country to find a bride for Isaac, specifying that the bride must be from his own clan and his father’s family.
Through prayer, the faithful servant is led to Rebecca, the granddaughter of Isaac’s aunt. Through the giving of gifts and negotiation with Rebecca’s brother and mother, the servant receives permission to take Rebecca back to Isaac. Rebecca’s brother, Laban, will come back in the story many decades later.
Lucky Isaac! He receives Rebecca and comes to love her. Through virtually no effort of his own, at the age of forty he ends up with an awesome wife!
The Bible reveals that Abraham marries Keturah after Sarah dies. Through her, Abraham has many other children. While alive, he gave these children gifts, but then sent them away. At his death, Abraham leaves everything to Isaac…nothing to the others or to Ishmael. Isaac was his sole heir!
The Bible has a lot to tell about Isaac’s father and Isaac’s children, but little about Isaac. Genesis 26 seems to be almost a summary of his life. There is a famine in Canaan, but Isaac stays because of God’s command; just like his father, Isaac worries about getting killed by men who want his beautiful wife, so he lies about her, gets caught, and ends up being rich, moving around the countryside getting older and richer.
Rebecca was childless for two decades. Then Isaac prayed on her behalf, and she became pregnant with fraternal twins. Esau was the first to come out. He was red and hairy. He came to love the outdoors and hunting. Esau was the favorite of his father. Jacob was the second to come out, while grasping Esau’s heel. Jacob liked to stay indoors and was the favorite of his mother.
The Bible is not specific about its meaning, but the oldest son of each family had a “birthright.” This very likely was the right to receive an inheritance double the amount of the other sons. Through a series of deceptions, Jacob stole Esau’s birthright and his father’s blessing. These deceptions would have consequences that reverberate through the ages. Surely God would punish Jacob and reward Esau for such behavior? Not so!