Genesis-Isaac

Isaac
Sarah lived to be 127 and died at Kirjath Arba (Hebron) in the Land of Canaan. Abraham asked his oldest servant to go and find Isaac a bride in Nabor not Canaan. So the servant prayed. May the young lady I ask for a drink not only give me a drink but water my camels also. Before he could finish praying he came to a well and just as the servant prayed. After hearing the servants story, Rebecca and her servants departed with the servant (Chapter 23 and 24).

Abraham and Keturah
After Isaac married Rebecca, Abraham took another wife Keturah. They had six children- Zimran, Jokshan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. Abraham died at the age of 175. Isaac and Ishmael buried him with Sarah in the cave of Machpelah (Chapter 25: 1-11).

Isaac and Rebecca
Isaac pleaded to the Lord because Rebecca was not able to get pregnant. The Lord granted Isaac’s request. In Rebecca’s womb the babies struggled and God told Rebecca that one will be stronger and the older will serve the younger. Esau came first and hairy. Jacob came next holding onto Esau’s heel. Esau became a skillful hunter and was loved by Isaac. Jacob was a mild man who dwelled in tents and was loved be Rebecca (Chapter 25: 12-34).

Esau sells his birthright-
Esau worked hard out in the field and Jacob spent his time in the tent and learned to cook. One day Esau came in from working hard out in the field and he was very hungry so Jacob said I will give you lentil stew if you sell me your birthright. So Esau sold his birthright to Jacob for lentil stew and bread. Esau’s birthright meant Jacob was now the first born and he would inhert all of his Father’s (Isaac) possisions (Chapter 25: 29-34)

Famine Alert
There was a famine in Land of Canaan. Isaac went to King Abimelech of the Philistines in Gerar in the land of Egypt. God told Isaac not to go to Egypt so he dwelt in Gerar. Just as Abram did to King Abimelech so did Isaac. Isaac was afraid that the Egyptians might kill him for Rebecca was very beautiful. So he told them she was his sister. King Abimelech saw her beauty and the way Isaac interacted with her. King Abimelech confronted Isaac and said Rebecca is your wife not your sister. So Abimelech told all his people that anyone who touches Isaac and his wife shall die. Isaac and Rebecca remained at Gerar growing large crops, herds, and had many servants. Isaac became so prosperous that Kind Abimelech told them to leave because they had grown stronger then he (Chapter 26: 1-17).

Isaac moved his family to the Valley of Gerar and dug a well but the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled over the water in the Valley. Each well Isaac dug the local herdsmen quarreled over-Well Esek and Well Sitnah. Finally the well Rehoboth was not quarreled over this well. Now Isaac built an alter near Beersheba, dug another well and there he pitched his tent (Chapter 26: 18-25).

Covenant Created-
King Abimelech, his friend Ahuzzath, and Commander of his Army Phichol came to visit Isaac. King Abimelech wanted to create a covenant with Isaac because he had seen how blessed by God Isaac was. So they feasted and parted in peace and the place was called Shebah (Chapter 26: 26-33).

Esau
Esau was 40 years old and married Judith (daughter of Beeri the Hittite) and Basemath (daughter of Elon of Hittite). Isaac and Rebecca were displeased with the marriages because they were both foreign women (Chapter 26: 34-35).

Jacob deceit for the blessing
Isaac was growing old and soon could no longer see so he sent for the oldest son. Isaac asked Esau to go hunting and cook a savory meal for him so that he can bless this son before God before I die. Rebecca over heard this conversation and told Jacob to go get two goat and she would fix one of Isaac’s favorite meals. Jacob did not think he could deceit his father and worried about his father touching him because Esau is hairy and Jacob’s skin was smooth. Rebecca told Jacob not to worry and she found a shirt of Esau and covered them with the goat skin. So Jacob offered a delicious meal to his father and received the blessing that was meant for Esau (Chapter 27: 1-29).

Esau’s anger
It was not long after Jacob left his fathers side that Esau came in from hunting and prepared a meal for his father. Isaac and Esau soon realized that Jacob had tricked him and took Esau’s blessing. Esau became very upset and angry at Jacob for taking his birthright and blessing. Esau vowed that when his father died he would kill his brother, Jacob. Rebecca heard Esau’s cries and told Jacob to flee to her brothers Laban of Haran. Isaac agreed and blessed him and ask him not to marry a daughter of Canaan but a daughter of Laban (Chapter 27: 30-46 and 28: 1-5).

Esau saw that Jacob was fleeing and receiving a blessing from his father. So knowing of his father’s disapproval of daughters of Canaan, he went to Ishmael and married his daughter Mahalath (Chapter 28: 6-9).