We read about the second wife and other children that Abraham had after Sarah died in Genesis 25. One of these sons is Midian. Remember this name. He is the father of the Midianites that gives the Israelites problems when they return to Palestine. Isaac was still the favored son and the others received gifts from their living father.  However, they received no inheritance.  When Abraham died, he was buried with Sarah in the family tomb.

We are also introduced to Ishmael’s twelve sons.  God’s promise is already starting.  Isaac and Rebekah have twins.  Esau is the older and is named hairy because he was from birth.  Jacob means deceiver and we will find this is also true.  He was not being deceitful when he had his brother sell him his birthright.  This was easily agreed to by both because the older brother did not understand what it meant to be a descendant of Abraham.

Genesis 26 makes me want to say, “Here we go again.”  Isaac repeats what his father did by deceiving people about who Rebekah was.  Despite it The Lord blessed them with great wealth.  Isaac shows wisdom like his father by leaving when problems came and signing a treaty with the Philistines.  This is interesting when we find the Philistines become enemies later when the Israelites return from Egypt.

The chapter ends with Esau marrying two Hittite women.  Neither Isaac nor Rebekah are pleased by this development.  What do you think?

©Copyright 2020 by Charles Kensinger