Read Genesis 33:1-11 When we first encounter Esau, his life not characterized by joy or happiness. It was full of bitterness and anger, disappointment and frustration. He manages to lose his birthright and his blessing, threaten to kill his only sibling, and annoy his parents, all within a single chapter of the Bible. He is… Read More »
Isaac and Rebekah had twin sons – Esau and Jacob. The two are a study in contrast. Esau is hairy and rugged; Jacob is notoriously beautiful and tricky. Esau is older, but Jacob manages to scam the birthright off him. Isaac favors Esau, but Jacob and his mother trick Isaac into giving Jacob the blessing.… Read More »
Read Genesis 27:1-3 This has to be one of the most curious passing references of Isaac’s life. As the narrative goes, Isaac is getting old and is ready to die. But if you continue reading, you discover that Isaac actually will live for at least another few decades. He does not die until Jacob returns… Read More »
Read Genesis 26:34, 28:6-9 Esau was Isaac’s favorite son. He was strong, a wilderness man like his father. But Esau was also a disappointment – a source of bitterness for his parents. He had the potential to do anything, and yet he did the wrong thing. Jacob showed no promise for anything proper, and yet… Read More »
Read Genesis 25:1-18, 26:1-33 Abraham settled his family in the hills of Judea, but Isaac loved the wilderness. After Abraham’s death, Isaac moved the tribe into the southern wilderness – the Negev. There might have been a lot of reasons for this, but it appears that there was some kind of famine or plague in… Read More »
Read Genesis 24:1-66 Even though Isaac does not put in an appearance in this narrative until three quarters of the way through, it is all about him. God prepared a wife for Isaac, but the preparation was only part of it. Abraham had to see the need for a wife from his homeland. The servant… Read More »
Read Genesis 21:1-7 Isaac’s name means “laughter.” It was a memorial to God’s provision to his parents – a monument of faithfulness. Every day, whenever someone called him or spoke of him, Isaac was reminded that he was a living, walking miracle – and that God performed this miracle in the face of doubt. No… Read More »
Although Isaac was the son of Abraham and the father of Jacob/Israel, he appears in the Genesis narrative more or less as background. He lived 180 years and was the chief of his tribe for 105 of those years. Age Event 36 Sarah, his mother dies 40 Marries his cousin Rebekah 60 Rebekah gives birth… Read More »
Read Genesis 22:1-19 Later rabbis discussed this passage at great length for hundreds of years. Their conclusion is echoed in Hebrews 11:17-19, where the writer says, “Abraham reasoned that God would raise the dead.” That does not, however, mean that Abraham did not falter. Faith is not the absence of doubt. It is the continued… Read More »
Read Genesis 21:8-14 Sometimes the realization of hope can also bring heartbreak. It was necessary for Abraham to set Ishmael aside as his heir, but that did not make it any easier. God could have told Abraham, “Oh, its ok, just keep Ishmael here” but He didn’t. God told Abraham to send Ishmael away. To… Read More »
