Isaac and His Sons

The Birth of Jacob & Esau Genesis 25:20-28 After 19 years of marriage, Isaac prayed God would allow Rebekah to conceive –No child is born without God’s blessing – Psalm 127:3 When Isaac was 60, Rebekah bore 2 sons Esau – red haired and hairy, a skillful hunter, Isaac’s favorite Jacob – “heal grabber” because that was the way he was born, a mild mannered man who dwelt in tents, Rebekah’s favorite

Selling the Birthright Genesis 25:29-34 The birthright –A double portion went to the firstborn –The promise to Abraham also went with it Esau showed more regard for his stomach (gratification of physical needs) than God’s blessing –Came in faint with hunger –Traded birthright for stew –Hebrews 12:16

Isaac and Abimelech Genesis 26:1-11 Isaac went to Gerar in time of famine Lied about Rebekah because he reasoned they would kill him for her Abimelech chastised him after he saw them “laughing together” (N.E.B.) because he had endangered any man who might have tried make her his wife He commanded everyone to leave them alone

Isaac Among the Philistines Genesis 26:12-22 Because of God’s blessing, Isaac prospered –The Philistines grew jealous –Abimelech asked him to move Isaac went into the valley –His father had dug wells years before –Herdsmen contested his right to the first well, so he called it Esek, or quarrel –The 2 nd contested well was called Sitnah, or enmity –They left the 3 rd alone, so he called it Rehoboth, which means spaciousness, because God had made room for him in the land

Isaac at Beersheba Genesis 26:23-33 Eventually, Isaac moved to Beersheba –The Lord appeared and renewed the promise –Isaac built an altar and worshiped God Isaac made an agreement with Abimelech –Abimelech and Phichol, his commander, came up to meet him –They wanted to solidify a relationship with one blessed of God –His servants found water and he named it Shebah, or oath, thus the name Beersheba