In today’s lesson, we begin following Isaac. Abraham has passed away and the fulfillment of God’s covenant promises falls to his son. We pick up our story today in verses 19-20. The Bible tells us here that Isaac was forty years old when he married Rebekah and it confirms her Aramean (Syrian) lineage through Abraham’s family (Semites). She is not a Canaanite. This was important in the fulfillment of the covenant promise. God would take the land from the Canaanites and give it to Abraham’s line of descent.
Verse 21 tells us about a family problem. Rebekah, like Sarah had been, was barren. Just as with Abraham and Sarah, for Isaac and Rebekah it seems impossible for God’s promise to be fulfilled. If God has promised to make of this family a great nation, with descendants as many as the stars in the sky, why does He once again choose to use a woman who is barren? I believe God often chooses to show Himself omnipotent. If Rebekah had married and then had a child, how would that glorify God? Most people on earth are able to have a child (even non-believers)… they simply have sex and it happens. No one is amazed by that. But, if the first two generations in the fulfillment of God’s covenant promise are born to women who are barren, the glory MUST go to God. He is keeping His promise.
But there is another factor which may be coming into play here. We know that God’s covenant promise to Abraham speaks of God’s plan to create a nation through which the Savior of the world would be born. Satan most definitely does not want this to succeed. I believe that he puts barriers in the way of God’s plans. You may have found in your life, as I have, that when you are obeying God and trying to do His will, bizarre and sometimes seemingly insurmountable circumstances turn up and get in the way. Do not let this dissuade you. Keep on following God and you will see that He is able to overcome, taking to heart the good advice King David spoke to his son Solomon (I Kings 2:3).
How long did it take for Rebekah to become pregnant (compare vs 20 with vs 26)? That is a long time to wait for a child. Verse 22 tells us that things were not just smooth sailing after she became pregnant. Something unusual was happening inside her womb. Rebekah could feel it. The pregnancy was difficult and we see her crying out to God in her despair. She wanted to know, if this was God’s will, why was it so difficult? Sometimes, doing the will of God is difficult. God does not prevent His people from going through difficulties and we shouldn’t expect our lives to always be easy. But He will always be there with us (Phil 4:13).
Verse 23 tells us God’s answer to Rebekah. It is one of the Bible’s most famous prophecies. God tells her that there are two nations in her womb, that one would be stronger than the other, and that the elder would serve the younger. This does not sound like two nations who are destined to get along well.
We are told of the birth in verses 24-26. It’s twins! We see that the first one came out covered in red hair so much so that it was like a garment. Because of this, he was named Esau, which means ‘hairy’. What a name! The second one came out behind him with his hand holding onto Esau’s heel, so he was named Jacob, which means ‘he grasps the heel’. Again, what a name! One was named for his strange looks and one was named for the strange thing that he did. And Isaac was 60 years old when they were born. While this was not as old as Abraham had been at Isaac’s birth, it is still quite old to have a baby. And they didn’t have just one… it was twins. I have raised twin babies and I can tell you, they are incredibly hard (exhausting). These two had their hands full.
Two more nations have just come from Abraham’s line. The prophecy Rebekah received from God seemed to indicate additional strife between the nations is on the horizon. We have seen, in previous lessons, the beginning of tensions between Isaac and Ishmael. In our next lesson, we will see the beginning of tensions between Jacob and Esau. And these tensions, so long ago, help us to understand the origins of feelings in the Middle East today.
Responding to God: Praise and glorify God for the good things that He does. Talk to Him earnestly about any answers to prayer that you may still be waiting for. Do not be afraid to tell Him your feelings and concerns. Ask Him for strength to persevere when Satan tries to interfere with you following God. Thank Him for the miraculous things He has done in your life. Pray over the current conditions in the Middle East asking for God’s intervention. Pray for our nation's leaders, that they might have wisdom dealing with this area of the world.
Further Research: Get up to date on the current status of Israel’s relations with her neighboring countries. Try to understand the underlying causes and issues.
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