Losing the traditional ways would not seem so sad to the young because they did not know them as the older ones did. The loss would not scar their souls so deeply.”
–Elmer Kelton (The Far Canyon)
“Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.”
“Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.”
–2 Thessalonians 2:15 (NKJV)
————————————
“Then Abraham breathed his last and died in a good old age, an old man and full of years, and was gathered to his people. And his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah…” –Genesis 25:8-9 (NKJV)
I have often wondered about Isaac’s and Ishmael’s relationship in later years. Ishmael must not have lived too far away for he was able to come and help bury Abraham. There is nothing said negative in the narrative, so could we gather that they were at least cordial to each other. I do doubt that they had a close relationship or had any bond. Ishmael lived to be 137 and there is a verse that says, “He died in the presence of all his brethren.” Barnes seems to think that he died among Isaac and the sons of Keturah, while others lean toward the meaning of it being Ishmael’s own family. Interesting, a good novel for someone to write.
It is not clear where Isaac was living after his marriage to Rebekah. Some seem to think that he stayed with Abraham, while others believe that he moved away when Abraham married Keturah. Was it his doing, or that of Rebekah if this was the case? So far, in the life of Isaac, we have seen very little after his willingness and faith in being the sacrifice. It seems he lived a very ordinary life, much like most of us–the ordinary, common life of existence. We know he was the child of promise, and that he was blessed for Abraham’s sake. But from what we know he did not take anything to excess.
However, he was concerned that Rebekah was barren. He knew of the promise. He must have had a relationship with the Lord for the Bible says, “Now Isaac pleaded with the LORD for his wife, because she was barren; and the LORD granted his plea, and Rebekah his wife conceived. (Genesis 25:21, NKJV). We have to be careful with the types, but here again we see “two.” The conflict first between Ishmael and Isaac, and now the conflict with the sons of Isaac: Esau and Jacob. Could it be a shadow of the conflict between Satan and Jesus? A thought, but I don’t want to take it too far.
Right from the beginning, in fact, in the womb at birth there is conflict. The Lord told Rebekah that there was fighting in the womb. As the boys grew, as is not uncommon, one leaned toward his mother, the other toward the father. Genesis 25:28 states, “And Isaac loved Esau because he ate of his game, but Rebekah loved Jacob.” (NKJV)
Not wanting to spend time with the conflict of Esau and Jacob, I do want to show that right off the get-go they fought, and connived, and sought their own selfish ways. They both did their own thing and we do not see anywhere in their early lives that they sought after God. Did Isaac not lay out a good example? We do not read in Scripture of Isaac worshipping like Abraham or building altars.
“Thus Esau despised his birthright” (Genesis 25:34, NKJV) What a terrible statement! What a shame! Was he not proud of his heritage, of Isaac and Abraham? Did he not understand the importance of the birthright and the idea of the promise? Of course, we know that Jacob was to be the one to pass on the Messiah’s seed, but to despise the meaning and the heritage of one’s family shows the self-centeredness of Esau. In the depiction of Genesis 25:29-34, we also see the covetousness of Jacob and how he was the deceiver. Interesting thought, Satan is the deceiver. He used deception in the Garden to lure Eve and that continues to be his foray. Here we see Jacob, and not only here, to be a deceiver. Jacob’s life will change later, when he is given a new name. It reminds me of the song, “for there’s a new name written down in glory…” Paul writes, “That you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:22-24, NKJV)
————————————
“Then Abraham breathed his last and died in a good old age, an old man and full of years, and was gathered to his people. And his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah…” –Genesis 25:8-9 (NKJV)
I have often wondered about Isaac’s and Ishmael’s relationship in later years. Ishmael must not have lived too far away for he was able to come and help bury Abraham. There is nothing said negative in the narrative, so could we gather that they were at least cordial to each other. I do doubt that they had a close relationship or had any bond. Ishmael lived to be 137 and there is a verse that says, “He died in the presence of all his brethren.” Barnes seems to think that he died among Isaac and the sons of Keturah, while others lean toward the meaning of it being Ishmael’s own family. Interesting, a good novel for someone to write.
It is not clear where Isaac was living after his marriage to Rebekah. Some seem to think that he stayed with Abraham, while others believe that he moved away when Abraham married Keturah. Was it his doing, or that of Rebekah if this was the case? So far, in the life of Isaac, we have seen very little after his willingness and faith in being the sacrifice. It seems he lived a very ordinary life, much like most of us–the ordinary, common life of existence. We know he was the child of promise, and that he was blessed for Abraham’s sake. But from what we know he did not take anything to excess.
However, he was concerned that Rebekah was barren. He knew of the promise. He must have had a relationship with the Lord for the Bible says, “Now Isaac pleaded with the LORD for his wife, because she was barren; and the LORD granted his plea, and Rebekah his wife conceived. (Genesis 25:21, NKJV). We have to be careful with the types, but here again we see “two.” The conflict first between Ishmael and Isaac, and now the conflict with the sons of Isaac: Esau and Jacob. Could it be a shadow of the conflict between Satan and Jesus? A thought, but I don’t want to take it too far.
Right from the beginning, in fact, in the womb at birth there is conflict. The Lord told Rebekah that there was fighting in the womb. As the boys grew, as is not uncommon, one leaned toward his mother, the other toward the father. Genesis 25:28 states, “And Isaac loved Esau because he ate of his game, but Rebekah loved Jacob.” (NKJV)
Not wanting to spend time with the conflict of Esau and Jacob, I do want to show that right off the get-go they fought, and connived, and sought their own selfish ways. They both did their own thing and we do not see anywhere in their early lives that they sought after God. Did Isaac not lay out a good example? We do not read in Scripture of Isaac worshipping like Abraham or building altars.
“Thus Esau despised his birthright” (Genesis 25:34, NKJV) What a terrible statement! What a shame! Was he not proud of his heritage, of Isaac and Abraham? Did he not understand the importance of the birthright and the idea of the promise? Of course, we know that Jacob was to be the one to pass on the Messiah’s seed, but to despise the meaning and the heritage of one’s family shows the self-centeredness of Esau. In the depiction of Genesis 25:29-34, we also see the covetousness of Jacob and how he was the deceiver. Interesting thought, Satan is the deceiver. He used deception in the Garden to lure Eve and that continues to be his foray. Here we see Jacob, and not only here, to be a deceiver. Jacob’s life will change later, when he is given a new name. It reminds me of the song, “for there’s a new name written down in glory…” Paul writes, “That you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:22-24, NKJV)