Abraham took another wife named Keturah she had 6 sons. But none of them inherited what belonged to Isaac, it was recorded in the Bible that he sent them away with gifts while he was alive eastward of the country away from Isaac.
This is the manifestation of the promises of God to Abraham that his descendants will be numerous.
Abraham lived up to 175 years, not only did he get blessed at the age people would have written themselves or others off. God enlarged his coast even at old age.
The significance of this to us as believers is that God's times aren't exactly the same as the timing of men. The timing of God is always the best and Most suitable for us to fulfill our purpose of creation.
Isaac and Ishmael put whatever their differences were aside to bury their father.
We live in that age that many do not value family ties again. A lot fight over unnecessary things and even at the loss of loved ones they still find it difficult to reconcile.
It's worth learning from Ishmael and Isaac, they were step brothers but they worked together to bury their father in the rightful place.
God also blessed Ishmael with children and he died at old age as well 137.. from here we see that in God we can have a long life.
Further in chapter 25 it's noted that Rebekah was barren and Isaac sought the face of God on her behalf. When two become one, the burden is no longer one person, it's their burden. So in marriage because your wife struggles to conceive doesn't mean you isolate her or because your husband has fertility issues you make life hell for him you go to God together and carry this burden together spiritually and physically. Go for medical checks, therapy, prayers, etc you do it together.
Isaac and Rebekah eventually gave birth to Esau and Jacob after 20years, hmmm period of waiting might be difficult but God always knows the best time.
It is also important to note that the children's names were not just random. I've heard before that children bring their name from heaven and I can rubbish that. But we must also be careful when naming our children because your name is one of the primary things that defines who you are, your overall identity.
The twins even though they were born on the same day had two different personalities.A message to parents don't compare your children. Jacob was quiet and Esau was skillful but Rebekah loved Jacob more than Esau. It's okay to love your children but don't allow rivalry due to favouritism as parents it's wrong it brews enmity.
From verse 29 to 34 of Genesis 25 we read of how Esau sold his birthright. All gluttony is not good. We must learn not to be driven just by what we want to eat and forget the most important thing. Some people will even sell their family just because they want to make money. The act of gluttony is the act of greed, it's not the fruit of the spirit at all and if you notice you fall into this category work on it. Don't always be driven by your stomach it's deadly.
*Moving on to Genesis 26*
We can see that Isaac had a similar relationship that Abraham his father had with God. That was why he could hear from God. Here the Bible said now there was famine apart from the famine that was there in the days of Abraham.
If we like it to our current days, it's like the economic crisis that befalls the whole world just after recovering from the pandemic.
A lot of people due to this have made decisions without consulting God. Isaac on the other hand received divine instructions, God told him to stay in the Land that he will bless him yes even in that famine God said stay in the land and remember your father Abraham obeyed me and He was blessed. God made the same promise he made to Abraham to Isaac about his descendants.
In Genesis 26:6-11 Isaac repeated what Abraham did, He lied to Abimelech that Rebekah was his sister. Abimelech later found out that was not the case. You see as parents be careful of the ungodly and unwanted patterns that you initiate because it might become a cycle that repeats itself in generations yet unborn.
Genesis 26:12- 15 recorded how Isaac sowed in the land and he reaped in a hundred folds and his riches grew until he became wealthy. There is a difference in being rich and being wealthy, wealth means everything and everyone around you are impacted by your blessings.
The Philistines envied him and asked him to leave the land. They filled the well his father dug with earth. He went to the valley re-dig the well Abraham dug and rename it with the initial names, he dug another they found spring water, the Philistines came again and quarreled with him.
He moved ahead until he dug one and no one quarreled with him and named it Rehoboth meaning God has made room for us and we shall be fruitful.
What I learned from here is that not everyone that rejoices with you initially will be happy for your progress. When Isaac was not wealthy they had no issue but the moment his wealth boom they had problems, enviness set in. Don't allow people's lack of clarity and lack of divine ability to discern to stop you from pursuing your goal.
It might take a while before getting to your Rehoboth, however you can't grow in your comfort zone and getting to Rehoboth might mean you come out of your comfort zone. Don't be complacent.
Genesis 26:26-31 those who chased Isaac from their land came back to seek him. They realized that chasing him away did not stop God from blessing him. They realized that even though they planned to slow the timing in their own way God was in control already and it didn't stop the blessings of God in Isaac's life.
I learned from these verses to have a forgiving spirit even when people have done the worst to you forgive them. Don't seek vengeance.
That same night his servant said they found water in the well they were digging... His son Esau also chose a wife.
All I can see in these two chapters is how God's promises from Abraham continue to manifest through Isaac and even Isaac's son.
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