Genesis Part 2 - Week 7

Day 1 

READ 

Genesis 25:1-4 

¹ Abraham married another wife, whose name was Keturah. ² She gave birth to Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. ³ Jokshan was the father of Sheba and Dedan. Dedan’s descendants were the Asshurites, Letushites, and Leummites. ⁴ Midian’s sons were Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida, and Eldaah. These were all descendants of Abraham through Keturah. 

The account continued with Abraham, but this chapter brings his life to a close. Before that, however, his descendants through his other wife are listed. Some wonder if Keturah had been a concubine who was lifted to the status of a wife after Sarah died. Whether that is true or not, Keturah is not mentioned in the Bible with the same honor as Sarah. 

REFLECT 

As you read the surrounding passage you will see that none of the sons of Abraham by Keturah took the place of the promises God had made to Isaac.  

RESPOND 

With your friend read Genesis 25:1-11 to see some of Abraham’s final acts before his death at 175. Although other sons are mentioned, it is stated that God blessed Isaac after the death of Abraham. 

Day 2 

READ 

Genesis 25:12-16 

¹² This is the account of the family of Ishmael, the son of Abraham through Hagar, Sarah’s Egyptian servant. ¹³ Here is a list, by their names and clans, of Ishmael’s descendants: The oldest was Nebaioth, followed by Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, ¹⁴ Mishma, Dumah, Massa, ¹⁵ Hadad, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. ¹⁶ These twelve sons of Ishmael became the founders of twelve tribes named after them, listed according to the places they settled and camped. 

This passage reveals again that God did not completely neglect Ishmael although His most significant promises were to Isaac. Just as later there were 12 tribes of Israel this passage shows that the 12 sons of Ishmael headed up 12 tribes. These peoples had a long history of not being able to get along with each other. 

REFLECT 

Has your family had a history of not being able to live in harmony with another family? If so, can you practice what is said in Ephesians 4:31-32? 

RESPOND 

With your friend read Genesis 25:12-18. Note especially that the Bible says the descendants of Ishmael “lived in open hostility toward all their relatives.” 

Day 3 

READ 

Genesis 25:19-22 

¹⁹ This is the account of the family of Isaac, the son of Abraham. ²⁰ When Isaac was forty years old, he married Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Aramean from Paddan-aram and the sister of Laban the Aramean. ²¹ Isaac pleaded with the Lord on behalf of his wife, because she was unable to have children. The Lord answered Isaac’s prayer, and Rebekah became pregnant with twins. ²² But the two children struggled with each other in her womb. So she went to ask the Lord about it. “Why is this happening to me?” she asked. 

Abraham and Sarah were not able to produce the promised son until God caused a miracle to occur. Now their son Isaac and his wife also needed the Lord’s intervention to keep the family line going. The birth of these two children would form an important part of the Scripture. 

REFLECT 

Mothers of twins can especially identify with this story of the babies seemingly struggling in Rebekah’s womb. 

RESPOND 

With your friend read Genesis 25:19-26. Interestingly, the name Esau sounds like the Hebrew word “hair.” When Jacob grabbed Esau’s heel the Hebrew word for “Jacob” actually means he was a “heel grabber.” That would be the way he would get ahead in life. He would take advantage of others to pull himself ahead of them. 

Day 4 

READ 

Genesis 25:27-28 

²⁷ As the boys grew up, Esau became a skillful hunter. He was an outdoorsman, but Jacob had a quiet temperament, preferring to stay at home. ²⁸ Isaac loved Esau because he enjoyed eating the wild game Esau brought home, but Rebekah loved Jacob. 

This sets the stage for the conflict between the sons. It was added to because their parents chose a different son for a favorite. In describing Jacob, one could use the expression “he was a mother’s boy.” The sons had temperaments that differed. Esau wanted to be outdoors; Jacob preferred to stay home. 

REFLECT 

As you grew up did you think your parents favored one sibling more than another? As you got older did you still think that was true or just what you thought as a younger person? 

RESPOND 

With your friend read Genesis 25:27-34. This incident caused greater division between Jacob and Esau. The birthright was highly significant. The right of the firstborn related to inheritance and authority over the family when the father was absent.  

Day 5 

READ 

Genesis 26:1-3 

¹ A severe famine now struck the land, as had happened before in Abraham’s time. So Isaac moved to Gerar, where Abimelech, king of the Philistines, lived. ² The Lord appeared to Isaac and said, “Do not go down to Egypt, but do as I tell you. ³ Live here as a foreigner in this land, and I will be with you and bless you. I hereby confirm that I will give all these lands to you and your descendants, just as I solemnly promised Abraham, your father.” 

Famines seemed to be a way God tested His people. He wanted them to rely on Him rather than on the riches of another country. God’s promises were to be fulfilled through Isaac and his descendants so it was important for him to do what God wanted him to do. What would Isaac do? Would he stay where he was or go to Egypt? 

REFLECT 

Have you sometimes been tempted to do something that caused you to depend less on God? 

RESPOND 

With your friend read Genesis 26:1-11. Notice that Isaac lied about his wife just as his father had lied about his wife. It is wonderful that they both considered their wives to be beautiful, but it is strange that both sought the same way to protect themselves. One wonders if Isaac did not know about his father’s experience. Notice also that sometimes the world has higher standards than believers about adultery.