Summary of passage: Isaac was forty when he married Rebekah. Isaac prayed when he discovered Rebekah was barren and God granted her twins. The Lord told her she carried two nations, one will be stronger and the older will serve the younger. Esau was the first born (his name may mean hairy. He was also called Edom which means red for he was red-headed). The second born was Jacob who came out clasping Esau’s heel (his name means he grasps the heel or he deceives). Isaac was 60 years old at their birth.
Questions:
3a) 20 years
b) Yes
c) Personal Question. My answer: The passages we are referred to say so God’s work can be displayed and so that they (Isaac and Rebekah) will learn God’s decrees and so they will cast their cares on the Lord so He can sustain them. It is estimated that about 12-15 percent of women can’t have kids, have trouble getting pregnant, or have trouble carrying a baby to term. They could have been one of these couples.
d) Personal Question. My answer: They prayed and the Lord answered in His timing.
4) “Two nations are in your womb” refers to how Esau will be the father of the Edomites (Genesis 36) and Jacob the father of the Israelites. Abraham was promised in Genesis 17:4-6, 16 that many nations would descend from him and Sarah.
“Two people within you will be separated” means they will live apart. 1 Kings 11:14-16 shows how the Edomites fought against the Israelites and lost.
“One people will be stronger than the other” is the Israelites will be stronger.
“The older will serve the younger” shows how the Edomites will be subjects of the Israelites. 2 Samuel 8:12-14 discusses how David struck down the Edomites and subjected them to his rule.
2 Chronicles 21:8-10 speaks of how Edom rebelled against Judah’s rule.
The tiny book of Obadiah is prophecy from the Lord about Edom and Israel, basically saying in sum that Israel will be the last one standing and Edom will disappear from the face of the earth. The last people of Edom were destroyed by the Romans in AD 70 when they took Jerusalem and destroyed the temple of the Lord.
Conclusions: I’m not exactly thrilled about re-visiting Scripture we have already visited for an entire week. And tomorrow is Hebrews–again. Help.
I didn’t like 3b. That was a “duh” to me. Obviously. Isaac was God’s chosen one to establish His people. How else is he going to do it? I thought we’d pick up at Genesis 28:10.
Needless to say, I’m not looking forward to this week. To me, this is another filler lesson. Or I’m too impatient. All year I’ve been looking forward to Joseph. I’m ready. Let’s move on!
End Note: Just being honest here for those of you whom I’m sure will comment what a bad attitude I have and how I should drop out or quit or what-have-you (it could be a reflection of my state-of-mind right now as some of you have suggested as well. I don’t know. I’m not a psychologist). This is how I feel about this lesson. And I make no apologies for saying so. But see this POST. I’m doing it despite how I feel about it. For I’m sure God has something here for me whether I see it or not or whether I feel like learning it or not.