The inheritance

• 1^st – The sons of Abraham… vs. 1-6
  • 1^st – Abraham was at least 140 years old (Isaac was 40 when he met Rebekah) … vs. 1
    • He remarried Keturah (incense) – but who was she – couple of theories…
      • Jewish tradition suggest she was Hagar – renamed after remarrying Abraham…
      • I Chronicles 1:32 – the word concubine is singular – meaning Abraham only had ONE!
    • More likely she was one of the servants of Abraham…
      • In the non Biblical book of Jubilliees – 19:11 – we have a parallel account…
      • It states Keturah was his third wife – taken from among his household servants!
  • 2^nd – Abraham had 6 sons through Keturah… vs. 2-4
    • Zimran (Musician) – Jokshan (Snare) – Medan (Contention) …
    • Median (Strife) – Ishbak (Releases) – Shuah (Wealth)
    • Of these 6 sons we are given the sons (and grandsons) of only Jokshan and Median…
      • The likely reason being they became powerful nations…
      • The sons of Jokshan – Sheba and Dedan – (34x in Bible) – modern day Saudi Arabia!
      • Median – father of the Midianites – powerful nation and often enemy of Israel!
      • Many of the Arab nations today are descendants of Keturah!
  • 3^rd – Abraham had EIGHT sons in all – but he gave all he had to Isaac… vs. 5-6
    • Abraham gave no inheritance to Ishmael – son of Hagar – Genesis 21:14
      • He only gave GIFTS to the six sons of Keturah – maybe more than bread and water…
      • Then Abraham sent (Piel – intensive) all of them to the east AWAY from Isaac!
      • Because they were not to inherit the LAND – it did not belong to the Arabs!
    • He gave all he had – his whole inheritance – to Isaac – the son of the Promise!
      • Ever think you were born to the wrong family – if only we belonged to a rich loving family…
      • Yet it was not the sons of Abraham that were blessed – but THE son of promise!
      • It does not matter where we have come from – who are parents are…
      • Now we have a heavenly father who promises us we are His sons – His kids…
      • Therefore we receive the inheritance – the same one God gives to Jesus His son!
      • Romans 8:16-17 – “For his Holy Spirit speaks to us deep in our hearts and tells us that we are God’s children.  And since we are his children, we will share his treasures—for everything God gives to his Son, Christ, is ours, too.”

• 2^nd – The death of Abraham… vs. 7-18
  • 1^st – Abraham died at 175… vs. 7-10
    • After 14 chapters – Genesis 12-25 – we come to the end of the life of Abraham…
      • There are two words used here to describe the death of Abraham…
      • Breathed his last – [גָּוַע] – meaning to give up the breath of life (spirit leaving the body) …
      • Died (sequential) – [מוּת] – emphasizing the death of his physical body (not spirit) … 
      • He was buried in the cave of Machpelah – next to Sarah – by Isaac and Ishmael…
      • Abraham had no people in the land of Canaan – a stranger in a strange land…
      • Yet we are told he was gathered to his people – not on EARTH…
      • Gathered to his people refers to – Abraham going to be with other BELIEVERS!
    • Before Jesus paid the price for sin – no one could go to heaven…
      • When Abraham died in faith – he went to Abrahams Bosom…
      • Luke 16:22-23 – “It came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torment, and seeing Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.”
      • In OT everyone went to the Grave (Sheol in Hebrew) – which had two parts…
      • A place of comfort for those who died in faith looking forward to Jesus (Bosom) …
      • Also referred to as PARADISE – Jesus talking to the thief on the cross – Luke 23:43
      • Or a place of torment for those who did not have faith (Hell) …
      • After the death of Jesus – He went down and set free those who died in faith – Isaiah 61:1
      • Whom Jesus then took with Him to heaven – Ephesians 4:8 / Matthew 27:52
      • Now only Hell remains as a holding place for those who reject faith in Jesus!
      • One day Hell will give up its dead to stand before the White Throne – Revelation 20:13
      • The final destination for them will be the Lake of Fire – Matthew 25:41
      • OT men were saved by faith – looking forward to the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross…
      • Today we are saved by faith – looking backwards at the sacrifice of Jesus…
      • It has always been – and still is – by FAITH in Jesus that we receive the promise…
      • The inheritance of eternal life with our Father in heaven!
  • 2^nd – The genealogy of Ishmael… vs. 12-18
    • Ishmael came and helped Isaac bury Abraham…
      • Ishmael was 90 years old at the death of Abraham – Isaac was 75 – Esau and Jacob were 15…
      • Likely Ishmael gave Isaac – who then recorded in the Bible – his genealogy…
      • Just as God had promised – his sons became 12 princes – Genesis 17:20
      • They settled in the Middle East – Genesis 25:18 – forefathers of modern day Arabs…
      • To this day the Arab world looks to Ishmael as the first Arab!
    • Ishmael was 137 years old when he died…
      • Interesting the same phrase is used to describe his death as Abraham…
      • Breathed his last – died – and was gathered to his people…
      • This may suggest that Ishmael was a believer – and is in heaven!

• 3^rd – Two Nations… vs. 11 / 19-28 
  • 1^st – The genealogy of Isaac… vs. 11 / 19-26
    • Beginning in chapter 25 we now begin to follow the life of Isaac…
      • This marks the third of five sections in the Book of Genesis (creation / Abraham / Isaac) …
      • We will only follow his life for 3 chapters – Genesis 25-27
      • The Lord blessed (piel) Isaac – he lived in Beer Lahai Roi – well of the Living God who sees!
      • Isaac was 40 years old when he married Rebekah…
      • Rebekah – the granddaughter of Nahor – the brother of Abraham…
      • She could not have kids – so Isaac PLEADED (imperfect) with the Lord for her!
      • God answered his PLEA (niphal) – and she became pregnant with TWINS!
    • The two children struggled (literally battled – or were at war) within her…
      • Rebekah went to inquire (imperfect) of the Lord – what was the problem…
      • He told her – there are two nations within you – the older will serve the younger…
      • Esau – Harry – because he was all covered in reddish hair…
      • Came out first – so he was the (older) firstborn son!
      • Jacob – heal catcher – because he came out grasping at the foot of his brother…
      • Though the same age – came out second – so was the younger son!
  • 2^nd – Choosing a son…
    • Before they ever said a word – before they ever did anything…
      • Before they were even born – God knew everything about the two boys – and said…
      • Malachi 1:2-3 / Romans 9:13 – “I loved Jacob, but I hated Esau.”
      • When we first look at the lives of these men this can seem confusing…
      • Esau seemed to have been a pleasant enough guy – a hardworking man!
      • Yet looking at the life of Jacob – Genesis 25-49 – (mentioned 164 times)
      • He was not a nice guy – he cheated and lied his way through most of life!
    • God knew that Esau would be a worldly man – not interested in the Lord…
      • God knew that Jacob – would become a man who would one day follow the Lord!
      • God does not see us as we are today – God does not see us from the outside…
      • God sees the heart – He sees us as we WILL BE one day!
      • The next time you look in the mirror and ask – why me God…
      • Remember God looks at a very different mirror – He looks at the heart – I Samuel 16:7
      • He looks at the man or woman of God He is shaping us to be! 
  • 3^rd – Side note on favoritism… vs. 27-28
    • Isaac loved Esau – a skillful (knowledge) hunter – because he liked to eat his meat…
    • Rebekah loved Jacob – a mild (perfect) man – who liked to hang out in the tent…
    • The favoritism of the kids – by both parents – led to division in the house…
    • It would eventually divide Jacob and Esau as well as Isaac and Rebekah!
    • Parents – do not play favorites with your children…
    • The Lord does not have favorites among His kids – neither should we!
    • Ephesians 6:4 – “Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.”

• 4^th – The Birthright… vs. 29-34 
  • 1^st – Jacob COOKED some red stew… vs. 29-31
    • COOKED (hiphil / sequential) – the sequential links back to Jacob catching the heal of Esau…
    • The hiphil is causative – suggesting this was a PLOT by Jacob to trap Esau…
    • In other words he had been planning his whole life for this!
    • He was living up to his name – heal catcher – or we might say SNEAKY THIEF!
    • Esau came home very hungry…
      • Esau commanded (hiphil / imperative / with a please) for Jacob to give him some of the stew!
      • But Jacob demanded (imperative) a HIGH price – the BIRTHRIGHT of Esau…
      • The first born son had the BIRTHRIGHT – he received ALL the inheritance from his Father…
      • The BIRTHRIGHT was not just possessions – it was the Promise to Abraham and Isaac…
      • The promise that all the nations of the world would be blessed though them – Genesis 12:2
      • The promise that through their descendents would come Jesus the Messiah!
  • 2^nd – Despising the BIRTHRIGHT… vs. 32-34
    • What is this to BIRTHRIGHT me – I am about to die…
      • Esau had absolutely no interest in the promise of the Messiah…
      • He was only interested in the things of this life – day to day needs…
      • He was only concerned about this world – not eternal life!
    • Therefore a bowl of soup was more valuable to him than the BIRTHRIGHT!
      • Hebrews 12:16 – “Make sure that no one is immoral or godless like Esau. He traded his birthright as the oldest son for a single meal…”
      • It is not hard to see where our priorities lie – just look where we spend our time…
      • What do we talk the most about – where are treasures our – Matthew 6:21
      • If we only focus on the world – like Esau – we will miss the blessing of Jesus…
      • Missing out on the riches of heaven for the sake of this world!
      • Mark 8:36 – “What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul.”

• 5^th – Inheriting the blessings… vs. 1-5
  • 1^st – The Lord appeared to Isaac (only happens twice) … vs. 1-2
    • This was not a regular occurrence to either Abraham (4 times) or Isaac…
      • I think often we get the impression this happened every day for these men…
      • We might not HEAR Jesus every day – but we can MEET Him daily through His Word!
      • Psalm 1:1-2 – “Blessed is the man [whose]… delight is in the law of the LORD,
        and in His law he meditates day and night.”
    • There was a FAMINE in the Land – like the one in the days of Abraham – Genesis 12:10
      • The Lord appeared to Isaac – DO NOT (jussive) go down to Egypt…
      • God told him not to go – BECAUSE he was on his way – Gerar is on the way to Egypt!
      • Egypt is a type of the world – Isaiah 31:1 / Jeremiah 42:19 / Ezekiel 20:7
      • Isaac was running to the world for answers!
      • Like Isaac – if we are NOT spending time with Jesus – when the hard times come…
      • We are going to be tempted to go to Egypt looking for answers!
  • 2^nd – Confirming the COVENANT… vs. 3-4
    • If Isaac would DWELL (imperative) in the LAND – rather than run to the world…
      • BECAUSE of the OATH God swore to Abraham – Genesis 15:5 / 15:18 / 22:18 
      • God would be WITH (imperfect) him – He would NEVER leave Isaac!
      • God would BLESS him (piel / imperfect) – CONTINUALLY pour out blessings!
      • He would also – GIVE (perfect – completed act) his descendants the Promised Land!
      • His descendants would be numbers as many as the stars in the heavens!
      • In his SEED – Jesus – all the nations of the earth will be blessed!
    • When we TRUST in the Lord rather than going to the world – three things happen…
      • We find we are not alone – the Lord is right there with us – Hebrews 13:5
      • He takes care of all of our NEEDS – financial (land) / relational (descendants) …
      • We become a blessing to others – they get to see Jesus through our lives!
  • 3^rd – Inheriting the blessing … vs. 5
    • The reason why Isaac inherited the blessing – BECAUSE Abraham obeyed (perfect) …
    • 4 different categories – emphasizing Abraham was obedient in every way because he KEPT…
    • Charge (responsibilities) – Commands (rules) – Statues (customs) – Laws (instructions)
    • Because Abraham was a godly man – Isaac inherited the blessings of his father!
    • When we obey the Lord – not just in words – not just on Sunday mornings…
    • But in every way / daily / in our responsibilities – rules – customs – instructions…
    • Our kids watch – they see our faith not just in words – but in our actions as well…
    • They then follow the example we have given to them – and are BLESSED…
    • They become blessed because we were obedient in EVERY way to the Lord!

• 6^th – Inheriting the faults… vs. 6-11
  • 1^st – She is my sister… vs. 6-7
    • Isaac stayed there in Gerar (a city of the Philistines) …
      • The men of the city began to ask a LOT (imperfect) about Rebekah (is she single) …
      • He told everyone that Rebekah was his sister – because she was very beautiful…
      • He feared men would kill him to try and take her from him!
    • Isaac listened and trusted the Lord for FOOD – not to go to Egypt (world) …
      • Yet he did not trust the Lord to protect his life…
      • But just as God could provide – God was also more than able to protect!
      • Often – we are OK trusting the Lord with one area of our lives – but doubt in another…
      • Maybe we trust the Lord for salvation / heaven – but not to provide for daily needs!
      • Since God is able to take care of our eternal life – how much more everything now!
      • Anytime we think we are facing a problem too big for God – remember…
      • Jeremiah 32:27 – “I am the LORD, the God of all the peoples of the world. Is anything too hard for me?”
  • 2^nd – Following a pattern…
    • Rebekah was not the sister of Isaac – so wherever did he get the idea from…
      • Just as Isaac had INHERITED the blessing from Abraham – so also his faults!
      • In a perfect repeat of Genesis 20 – like father like son!
      • Our kids do not just inherit our good decisions – they will also MIRROR our mistakes…
      • If we gossip / drink / lie – or live a hypocritical life – one foot in church / one in the world…
      • Then there should be no great surprise when our kids do much the same things!
    • Abraham had LEARNED his lesson with Sarah – yet Isaac STILL made the same mistake…
      • Just because we learn a lesson – does not mean we pass on our wisdom to our kids…
      • So often we try to tell our kids not to follow in our footsteps – learn from our mistakes…
      • But there is no easy way to learn – we learned the hard way – so will our kids!
      • God has not grandkids – each generation needs to LEARN to trust the Lord!
  • 3^rd – Confronting sin… vs. 8-11
    • Having been there a long time – Isaac was PLAYING (piel – intensive) with Rebecca…
      • Abimelech (my father is king) – title meaning King of the Philistines…
      • Abimelech immediately knew Rebekah was the wife of Isaac – so he rebuked Isaac…
      • Because of his actions – Isaac could have brought GUILT (hiphil) upon the people!
      • Likely remembering the DREAM his father had because of Abraham – Genesis 20:3
    • Too often when someone sins against us -we just want to walk away…
      • Perhaps just never talk to them again – ignore them…
      • Yet when we are willing to confront sin – we have the opportunity for restoration…
      • If there was just a misunderstanding – then there can be reconciliation!
      • If there is sin – there MUST be correction – caring for someone does not mean ignoring sin!
      • Sin destroys lives – how loving is it to let someone destroy themselves!
      • Proverbs 27:6 -“Faithful are the wounds of a friend… “

• 7^th – Bearing Fruit … vs. 12-35
  • 1^st – Prospering in the Land… vs. 12
    • Isaac sowed in the Land – and reaped the same year 100 fold (for every seed – 100 fruit) …
      • Remember there was a famine in the Land – there was no food – nothing was growing…
      • Yet Isaac did NOT trust in the world – but listened to the Lord – so there was a LOT of fruit!
      • The problem with farming is rarely in the seeds – it is more often in the SOIL…
      • Even if you plant good seed – on dry / unplowed / hardened ground – it will not grow!
    • Matthew 13:19 – the Word of God is the SEED…
      • Whether the Word bring forth FRUIT in our lives is based on what SOIL it falls on…
      • Are we bearing good fruit – 30 / 60 / or 100 fold – or is there little or nothing at all…
      • The problem is never with the Word of God – it is all about our hearts!
      • If we do not run to the world – but listen to / obey the Lord – we will have a LOT of fruit!
  • 2^nd – Envied by neighbors… vs. 13-22
    • Isaac began to prosper [גָּדַל] – and he became VERY prosperous [גָדַל מְאֹֽד] …
      • He had LOTS of flocks (sheep) and herds (cattle) – and LOTS of servants…
      • The result was the people of Gerar became envious (piel – intensive) …
      • Isaac was so prosperous – Abimelech commanded him to go away (imperative)!
    • They filled in all the wells that Abraham had dug…
      • Isaac left – and went into the Valley of Gerar Isaac – to dig new wells…
      • But the local shepherds there argued with him over it – he called it Esek (contention) …
      • Isaac dug a second well – but the shepherds argued again – he called it Sitnah (strife) …
      • He moved on a dug a third well – no one argued – he called it Rehoboth (wide places) …
      • Because the Lord had finally given him room to be fruitful in the Land!
    • When we live for Jesus – the World does not like having us around…
      • Matthew 10:22 -“All men will hate you because of me… “
      • We no longer get invited to the same parties – we no longer are accepted…
      • Those we once called friend – now argue and bicker with us…
      • It is not that they do not like us – they do not like Jesus in us…
      • Jesus is the light of the world – they like darkness – because they love sin – John 3:19
      • If we are accepted and loved by the world – it means we are not living for Jesus!
  • 3^rd – Making peace… vs. 23-35
    • Isaac returned to Beersheba (further north / east) …
      • And the Lord met with Isaac a second time – DO NOT fear (jussive) – I am with you…
      • Same wording used when Israel saw the armies of Egypt marching towards them!
      • Exodus 14:13 – “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD.”
      • God promised to bless and multiply Isaac for the sake of His servant Abraham!
      • So Isaac built an altar there – and called on the name of the Lord [יְהֹוָה]
      • Our part it NEVER to win the battle – we are just called to NOT FEAR…
      • We get to STAND STILL / SEE (both imperative) God fight the battles for us!
      • Ephesians 6:10/14 – “Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might… That you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”
    • Abimelech came from Gerar…
      • With him was Ahuzzath (possessions) and Phichol (strong) the commander of his army…
      • Isaac asked why they had come – they HATED (perfect) him – but they wanted PEACE!
      • They had seen Isaac was THE blessed of the Lord…
      • They made a feast – and swore an oath/ made a covenant with him!
      • That same day the servants of Isaac dug a well and found water – Isaac called it SHEBA…
      • BEERSHEBA – the well of the OATH – a name that it still has to this day!
        
    • People watch our lives…
      • Even if they do love their sin and hate Jesus…
      • When we faithfully live our lives for the Lord – others cannot help but notice!
      • Someone may not want to hear about Jesus – or go to church…
      • But they cannot help but READ our life as we live for Jesus!

II Corinthians 3:3 – “Clearly, you are a letter from Christ. .. written not with pen and ink, but with the Spirit of the living God.”