Chapter 25 - 28: Isaac
Isaac was 40 years old when he took Rebekah as his wife. After 20 years they still could not have children. Isaac prayed and immediately God gave them twins.
The elder was born very hairy, so was named Esau. The younger was trying very hard to come out before the elder, catching him by the heel. So he was named Jacob, the grabby one. Esau was an outdoor person so Isaac loved him more. Jacob was more homely so he bonded better with Rebekah.
One day Esau returned from the farm very hungry. Jacob had cooked a pot of red pottage and Esau requested for some. Jacob took the opportunity to negotiate for Esau's birth right. In a very careless manner (did not treasure a right God had given him) Esau did so. Esau was then known as Edom (meaning red).
Now there was a famine in Canaan. The Lord appeared to Isaac and commanded him not to go to Egypt, but stay in Canaan. The Lord reiterated to him the covenant He had made with Abraham.
So Isaac went to Gerar, to Abimelech, king of the Philistines. When the man asked him about Rebekah, Isaac told them that she was his sister for fear that they would kill him because they wanted her. One day Abimelech saw him fondling her and Isaac had to admit to the truth. Abimelech warned his people not to harm Isaac and Rebekah.
The Lord blessed Isaac and he became very prosperous. The people were envious of him and started to create trouble for him. Abimelech ordered them to leave Gerar. Isaac departed and encamped in the valley of Gerar. Isaac dug a well at Beer-sheba, which the Philistines had closed down after the death of Abraham. The herdsmen of Gerar took it from him and named the well of Esek.
Isaac dug another. Again they took it. So he named it Sitnah. He dug again and found Rehoboth - the Lord has made room for us. From there he went to Beer-sheba, and the Lord appeared to him to renew the covenant made to Abraham. He built an altar there and worshipped the Lord.
Abimelech came to Isaac to seek for peace seeing how powerful his God was. Isaac bore no grudge and took an oath not to harm them. It was in Beer-sheba that Abraham made a similar oath with Abimelech. On the same day Isaac's servants dug and found water in another well. He called it Shibah.
Esau married Judith and Basemath, both Hittites. They made life bitter for Isaac and Rebekah.
Isaac's eyesight was getting weak and he realised that his end was near. He asked Esau to prepare him his favourite dishes. He would then bless him after the meal. Rebekah heard this and schemed with Jacob to steal the blessing. They prepared the food, have Jacob worn Esau's clothing and put the hairy sheepskin on Jacob's hands and neck. His mother said she would bear the curse for the deceit.
Isaac was suspicious when Jacob brought him the food, but finally decided that it was Esau. He blessed him after eating the food. May God bless you with prosperity. Let you be the leader of the family; the others will serve you. Cursed be to those who cursed you and those who blessed you will be blessed.
As soon as Isaac finished his blessing upon Jacob, Esau returned from the hunt. When he came in with the food, Isaac discovered that he had been fooled. However his blessing would stay. Since Isaac has blessed Jacob with the lordship of the family the only blessing he could give Esau was - By your sword you shall live and break free from the yoke of Jacob.
Esau was very angry with Jacob and vowed to kill him after Isaac's death. This frightened Rebekah and she decided to send Jacob away to stay with her brother, Laban, at Haran, until Esau's anger subside. The excuse she gave Isaac was that she did not want Jacob to marry a Hittite. Thus Isaac blessed Jacob with the covenant of Abraham and sent him to Laban, at Paddan-aram.
When Esau realised that his father was unhappy with his Hittite wives and preferred one of from their own, he took Mahalath, the daughter of Ishmael, as wife.
Isaac
The Bible gave Isaac about three chapters. After chapter 28, not much was mentioned about him until chapter 35:28 where the scripture recorded his death, at the age of 180. Reading the biographies of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Isaac led a very smooth and peaceful life. Whatever he needed God responded immediately.
Isaac came from a rich family and every thing was provided for. What was beyond human control - like not able to have children - he prayed and immediately God gave him twins. He faced a famine and the danger of staying in Gerar, and he passed his wife as his sister, like Abraham. God protected him like He did for Abraham.
He did not seem to have the charisma of Abraham. This might be because of his age. Abimelech was his father's generation. But Abimelech knew the God of Abraham and was careful in his relation with Isaac, and accorded him the same respect.
The only significant problem he faced was the ownership of his wells. Water is very critical to Isaac, as he needed it for his herd. He was a meek person and would give in and dig somewhere us. God would then give him another hit. No problem.
He faced the same family problem as Abraham, a dominating wife. The result was a family feud that dragged on throughout the Old Testament.
The only worthwhile spiritual experience of Isaac was when Abraham placed him on the altar and was about to sacrifice him to God. The Bible was silent on Isaac's reaction. To me the silence sounded like an acceptance of the act. What ever it was, Isaac had been sacrificed to God and God blessed him with an abundant life. I cannot help but perceived that God gave top priority to his needs and gave him more than he asked for. Yes the God of Isaac is also my God.
