Genesis 25

We see God’s faithfulness on display as He keeps His promise to Abraham regarding Ishmael (Genesis 17:20). Abraham continues to recognize that Isaac is the son of the promise, but he also makes sure that his other offspring are taken care of. In our own lives there may be circumstances that dictate what we do with our inheritances. Some might decry that we aren’t fair, depending on how we leave our money. Being godly is always what we should strive for.

Although not explicitly clear in our passage today, God chose Jacob over Esau. 

Romans 9:10-15 (WEB) “Not only so, but Rebekah also conceived by one, by our father Isaac. For being not yet born, neither having done anything good or bad, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him who calls, it was said to her, ‘The elder will serve the younger.’ Even as it is written, ‘Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.’ What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? May it never be! For he said to Moses, ‘I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.’ ”

God often goes against cultural dictates by choosing one of the younger rather than the oldest. He is sovereign and can do what he wants! Here He chooses Jacob even though we may end up wondering why. Jacob really does live up to his name, “takes by the heel” or “supplanter.” It’s possible that both Rebekah and Jacob end up manipulating matters because they think they are helping God. That seems to be a recurring theme in Genesis! Other themes are favoritism (parents preferring one child over another) and sibling rivalry (foreshadowed in 25:22).

Esau serves as a warning to us here. He is more concerned about his appetite than his future!

Thought for the day: How often do we do end up serving our own appetites instead of doing what is best?

James 4:1-2 (WEB) “Where do wars and fightings amongst you come from? Don’t they come from your pleasures that war in your members? You lust, and don’t have. You murder and covet, and can’t obtain. You fight and make war.”