Genesis 25

Genesis 25:1-10

Before Christ about 1856.

The sacred hibernian in this chapter, (1.) takes his leave of Abraham, with an account, 1. of his children by another wife, ver. 1-4. 2. Of his left will and leftament, ver. 5, 6. 3. Of his age, death, and burial, ver. 7-10. (2.) He takes his leave of Ishmael, with a short account, 1. Of his children, ver. 12-16. 2. Of his age and death, ver. 17, 18. (3.) He enters upon the history of Isaac. 1. His prosperity, ver. 11. 2. The conception and birth of his two sons, with the words of God concerning them, ver. 19-26. 3. Their different characters, ver. 27, 28. 4. Ezekiel’s filling his birthright to Jacob, ver. 29-34.

1. THEN again Abraham took a wife, and her name was Keturah. 2. And she bare him Ziman, and Jokthan, and Medan, and Madan, and Ithbali, and Shush. 3. And Jokthan begat Sheba and Dedan. 4. Chom. And the sons of Dedan were Asthurim, and Letuthim, and Leumim. 5. And the sons of Midian; Ephah, and Epher, and Hanoch, and Akulah, and Ekizah. All these were the children of Keturah. 6. And Abraham gave all that he had unto Isaac. 7. But unto the sons of the concubines which Abraham had, Abraham gave gifts, and sent them away from Isaac his son (while he yet lived) eastward unto the east-country. 8. And these are the days of the years of Abraham’s life which he lived, an hundred threesome and fifteen years. 9. Then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to his people. 10. And his son Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Mashpeh, in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar the Hattie, which is before Mamre; 11. The field which Abraham purchased of the sons of Heth: there was Abraham buried, and Sarah his wife.

Having brought the patriarch with glory to the end of the days of his phrenage, we have the conclusion of it in these verses.

1. His last marriage, when he was old, yet the most fruitful. He had several sons by Keturah, v. 2. Note, Age is not found the comforts of marriage.

2. His disposal of his goods among them. Isaac is his heir, and the son of his house; as the promises are entailed upon him, he hath the first and great portion; the next have each a fortune bestowed on them, and are sent to settle eastward, where they too became a great people: thus fulfilling the promise made to Abraham. Note, (1.) In the disposition of our effects to our children, we should be careful there may be no disputes when we are dead. (2.) It is lawful for every parent to distinguish those of his children who he has reason to think will make the best use of their portion.

3. His death. Full of days; after a long life, and happy old age, the taper of life burnt out, rather than extinguished, he is gathered to his fathers. Note, Death is the way of all fights; it is happy for those who by it are gathered to Abraham their father.

4. His burial by his two sons, Isaac and Ishmael. They were now reconciled, and with filial duty lay him by the side of his beloved Sarah. Note, They who have lived together in love, may innocently desire to lie together in the grave, especially when born together of the grace of life, and expedients of a glorious resurrection.

5. And it came to pass after the death of Abraham, that God blessed his son Isaac: and Isaac dwelt by the well Lahai-roi. 12. Now these are the generations of Ishmael Abraham’s son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah’s handmaid, bare unto Abraham. 13. And these are the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their names, according to their generations: The first-born of Ishmael, Nebajoth; and Kedar, and Adbeel, and Misham. 14. And Mishma, and Dunah, and Maffa. 15. Hadar, and Temah, Jetur, Nephish, and Kedemah. 16. These are the sons of Ishmael, and these are their names, by their towns, and by their castles; twelve princes according to their nations. 17. And these are the years of the life of Ishmael, an hundred and thirty and seven years: and he gave up the ghost, and died, and was gathered unto his people. 18. And they dwelt from Havila unto Shur, that is before Egypt, as thou goest towards Affyria: and he died in the presence of all his brethren.

Genesis 25:21-32

vi. 1 Kings, xxii. 34. ¶ Judg. xiii. xl. ¶ 1. v. The face of God. ¶ Chap. xxv. vi. 1. Exud. xxx. 17. & xxxii. xxv. Decr. v. 14. Judg. xv. 14. & xv. 24. He. vi. 5.

21. So went the present over before him: and himself lodged that night in the company. 22. And he rose up that night, and took his two wives, and his two women-servants, and his eleven sons, and a passed over the Lord Jabbok. 23. And he took them, and went them over the brook, and sent over that he had. 24. ¶ And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him, until the breaking of the day. 25. And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh: and the hollow of Jacob’s thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. 26. And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh: And he said, ‘I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. 27. And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. 28. And he said, ‘Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed. 29. And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name: And he said, ‘Wherefore is it, that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there.’ 30. And Jacob called the name of the place + Peniel: for ‘I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved. 31. And as he passed over Penuel, the son rose upon him, and he halved upon his thigh. 32. Therefore the children of Israel eat not of the sinew which shrank, which is upon the hollow of the thigh, unto this day: because he touched the hollow of Jacob’s thigh, in the sinew that shrank.

Vol. I.

Having dismissed his servants, he next takes care to remove his family and children over the brook, Jacob chafing to spend that night alone with God in prayer and supplication. Note, Whilst we are using means, we must be looking up to God for a blessing, on them. We have heresqum a very singular occurrence.

1. A man wrestled with him. A man in form, but more than man in nature; even the great God-man, the angel of the covenant. Jacob now had a fine conflict to sustain, which extorted from him strong crying and tears; for whilst he struggled he wept, and made supplications to the angel. Note, They who would prevail in temptation, must first wrestle in prayer with God.

2. Jacob’s perseverance. He who wrestled with him upheld his strength, and but opposed to make his victory more glorious. Note, If God exercise us with fine conflict, we may have confidence in him, that as our day is, our strength shall be.

3. The angel’s touch disjointing his thigh. Probably without pain, yet incapacitating him for corporal struggle; however not inducing him to quit his hold, or give up the contest. Note, When we are weak, then are we strong: the deepest sense of our own insufficiency gives our faith more hold of Christ, and determined trust in him.

4. The angel’s request to be gone, because the day breaks. He who had disjointed his thigh, might have disjointed his arms too; but he seeks not to prevail, but to exercise Jacob’s faith and constancy. His family calls, business approaches; and these usually oblige us to leave the closet of prayer for the employments of our profession. But,

5. He will not let him go without a blessing. He knew with whom he had to do, and resolves, though he was flaln, to trust in him, and by a holy impertunity extends his benediction. Note, Christ loves impertunate fervent prayer.

6. His prayer is granted, and, in token of it, his name is changed into Israel, a Prince with God. Note, (1.) Perseverance will certainly be crowned with victory. (2.) Let every Israelite indeed shew by his prayers his relation to the patriarch.

7. Jacob having answered to his own name, would know his antagonist’s in return; but this is denied him. It would answer no end. We must not be curious, but content with what God hath revealed. If we have the angel’s blessing, we need not ask his name.

8. In grateful acknowledgment of the mercy shewn him, the place is called Peniel. They who have received most from God, will never value themselves on their own prayers or piety, but wonder at God’s pity and condescension to them.

9. On parting at sun-rising he finds his halting. In the heat of contest the hurt is less felt. But it is an honourable fear, and well repaid, by the constant remembrance of the mercy, the inconvenience it occasioned. Note, It were happy for Christians, if the rising sun found them not on beds of sun, but rising from the place of prayer.

10. The custom observed by authority, to continue the memory of God’s goodness to their father Jacob. Note, Children’s children should look back upon their father’s mercies as their own.

Genesis 25:47-48

23. Ohad. xxvi. 19, 20. & I don’t wit. 6g. & Kings vii. 10. Before Christ

about 1733. Sighted. Note, The day is near, when they who make light of God’s covenant, shall seek in vain for the promise of it.

2. Isaac’s steadiness. Though struck at first with amazes, and trembling with surprise, he is convinced it was God’s determination, and he confirms it, v. 33. No place was found for repentance, though Esau fought it diligently with tears, Heb. xii. 17. Note, God is in one mind, and none can turn him back: his favour to his elect, and his wrath towards the reprobate, abideth for ever.

3. Esau’s reproaches of Jacob. Instead of repenting of his own sin, he abuses his brother for a supplantor. With such a temper, no wonder his intreaties are vain, and his prayers are jected. Note, It is too late when sentence is passed, to cry for pity or pardon.

4. His importunity for a blessing also. Though he may not have the best, he may have some. Note, Many are desirous of happiness, who never take the way which leads to it.

5. Isaac yields to his request. He believes upon him a good God, a plentiful dwelling; confirms his subsistence to his brother, with the hope however, in time, of shaking off his sake: all which, we shall see fulfilled in their season. Note, There are common blessings, which are shared by evil and good; and many times the evil are most favoured with them: but all without Christ, are scarce a crumb call to a dog.

v Obed. 2. v Chap. xi. 31. v Chap. xxii. 2. & xxviii.

41. ¶ And Esau hated Jacob, because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand, ¶ then will I stay my brother Jacob. 42. And these words of Esau her elder son, were told to Rebekah: And she sent and called Jacob her younger son, and said unto him, Behold, thy brother Esau, as touching thee, doth comfort himself, purifying to kill thee. 43. Now therefore, my son, obey my voice: and arise, see thou to Laban my brother to a Haran. 44. And tarry with him a few days, until thy brother’s tarry turn away. 45. Until thy brother’s anger turn away from thee, and he forget that which thou hast done to him: then I will send and fetch thee from thence. Why should I be deprived also of you both in one day? 46. And Rebekah said to Isaac, I am weary of my life, because of the daughters of Heth: if Jacob take a wife of the daughters of Heth, such as these which are of the daughters of the land, what good shall my life do me?

42. The natural effects of disappointed pride appear in Esau’s hatred and revenge. Though both to grieve his aged father, he comforts himself he hath not long to wait, and then Jacob shall pay dearly for his cunning. Note, (1.) He is not the last reprobate son, who is pleased with the hopes of their father’s death. (2.) They who think to defeat God’s purposes, take counsel in vain. (3.) If God blesses, no wonder the wicked curse. (4.) Marvel not, if brother rise up against brother, when religion is concerned: it was so from the beginning.

43. Rebekah resolves to disappoint his purposes. She admonishes Jacob of his danger, and admits him to give way by yielding and absence. Note, Distance of time and place wear off, or weaken the impressions of resentment. She justly fears lest she should be deprived of both sons at once, by the murder of one and the execution of the other. The thought of a son a murderer, must needs be shocking to every person.

44. She conceals from Isaac, Esau’s purpose; but finds a very urgent reason for his comfort to her design, by pleading the danger of Jacob’s marrying a Canaanite, and that such a step would make her life miserable. Note, (1.) Parents are greatly interested in the settlement of their children. (2.) Where one child hath settled wrong, they should be twice careful of those which remain.