Abraham took another wife (Keturah) and had six sons: (1) Zimran (2) Jokshan (3) Medan (4) Midian (5) Ishbak (6) Shuah. They also had sons. Abraham gave everything he owned to Isaac, and he gave gifts to the sons of his concubines, but he sent them away from Isaac (east). Abraham lived 175 years, and Isaac and Ishmael buried him where Sarah was (the cave of Machpelah). God blessed Isaac, who lived near Beer-lahai-roi. Then Ishmael’s family is outlined. Ishmael lived 137 years. His family settled from Havilah to Shur (opposite of Egypt). He lived in opposition to all his brothers. Isaac was 40 when he married Rebekah. She was childless, and he prayed to the LORD on her behalf. The LORD heard and she conceived. The children struggled in her womb, God said, “Two nations are in your womb, two people will come from you and be separated. One people will be strong than the other, and the older will serve the younger. The older was named Esau, and the younger Jacob. Isaac was 60 when they were born. Esau became a hunter/outdoorsman, Jacob became a quite man who stayed at home. Isaac loved Esau because of the food he caught. Rebekah loved Jacob. Jacob had cooked a stew and Esau/Edom came home and said, “Let me eat some of that red stuff, because I’m exhausted.” Jacob asked him to sell him his birthright, so Esau did, and Esau ate, drank, and left. So, Esau despised his birthright.
God’s covenant passes on to Jacob. Jacob though is a conniving man. Deceiving and manipulating circumstances to his benefit. God does tell Isaac and Rebekah that Jacob will rule Esau. God’s covenant steadfast love is directed toward Jacob – sinner though he is. God’s election of His people isn’t based on anything in them, but based upon His free sovereign will. God’s choice of Jacob should be an encouragement to us. We are sinners too, undeserving of God’s grace. Yet, through Christ He has set his love and choice upon us. Praise God for salvation through Christ. Praise God for adoption through the shed blood of His eternal Son.