Day 9. 9th January Bible Commentary And Summary With Dr. Toyin Taken From Genesis Chapter 25, 26, 27, 28.
ESAU & ISAAC
GENESIS CHAPTERS 25, 26, 27, 28.
CHAPTER 2527-34
ESAU -EXPERT- HUNTER Vs ISAAC-DIY-HOMELY .
Isaac loved Esau and enjoys to taste meat from ESAU's catch. Rebecca love Jacob.
On an occasion, Esau returns home famished and desired to eat from Jacob who was cooking a meal. Jacob asked for his birthright in exchange.
Esau despised his birthright by agreeing (v.32).
This error puts an emphasis on the importance of SOUND MIND AND WORK-LIFE BALANCE. He gave up something with spiritual significance and everlasting benefits. Jacob was relaxed and in sound mind, free from anxiety. However, Esau exhausted his energy, and his reasoning capacity—strained. He gave up something with spiritual significance and everlasting impact.
261-10. Isaac deceives King Abimelek just like his father Abraham did, saying; Rebecca is his sister the king caught him sporting caressing her in an open field and he reproves him (v.10).
HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT FOR ISAAC. WHAT ENVY DOES.
Isaac worked, He planted crops and he became rich as God blessed him. The Philistines among whom he dwelt envied him, they took his possessions; filled his wells (part of his inheritance from Abraham) with earth (v.15) and the King Abimelek sent him away saying "move away from us; you have become too powerful for us" v.15.
ARE YOU IN THE VALLEY OF GERAR LIKE JACOB?
He moved away and encamped in the valley of Gerar. He re-opens some wells that had been dug by his father Abraham and gave them same name as Abraham his father did. His servants dug and discovered a well of fresh water but the herders of Gerar strove, saying 'the well is ours'; he named it ESEK meaning DISPUTE. That happened again and he named the second well SITNAH meaning OPPOSITION. On the third occasion, they did not quarrel and he named it REHOBOTH which means ROOM, saying 'the LORD has given us room and we can flourish in the land'. (v.21-23);
A NEED FOR RELOCATION: He moved up to BEERSHEBA (v.23) and at night the Lord appeared to him and said I am the God of your father Abraham, do not be afraid, for I am with thee, and will bless thee; and multiply thee for Abraham my servant's sake (v.24-25). Envy breeds opposition. It was so intense Abimelek sent Isaac son of Abraham (whom he had welcomed and had an oath with) away (26:16).
Isaac remained bold and courageous as he passed through his midlife crisis. Are you passing through some crisis? Please, like Isaac continue to strive and thrive. Life is not a bed of Roses.
Isaac built another altar and called on the name of the Lord. And his servants dug another well. (v.25).
I noted that in all of life's crisis through the famines, strife, and hostile environment, Isaac like his father exemplified restraint of spirit: they never cursed God or transfer aggression on their staff. This made it easier to bounce back. Good analysis of problem and control.
For me I often now drag myself to my knees and read a psalm, if I feel too much pressure, that's a spiritual way I treat stress. And then I look to apply wisdom in what action I take as a mum, or professional; as the case may be.
Genesis 2626-34.
Abimelek Reconciles with Isaac asking for a sworn agreement (v.28)
He went to him with his Personal Adviser and the Commander of his forces. The King passed the night at Isaac's (v.30-31). On the same day, Esau's servants dug and found water and he calls it SHIBAH - meaning oath or seven (v.32-33). The town exists and is called BEERSHEBA ( as named by Abraham meaning Well of the oath and well of seven).
ESAU marries two Hittite women! They were a source of grief to Isaac and Rebekah (v.35).
- This is another instance of polygamy
ISAAC'S HANDS ON JACOB
JACOB deceived his father and took Esau's last paternal blessings (end of life blessings) . Isaac asked Esau to prepare him a tasty meal (v.2-4). He set out hunting but Rebekah disrupted that by preparing a meal for Jacob to present to him. (v.5-12). He disguised with goatskin which his mother gave him pretending to be the hairy Esau (v.15,19). Isaac says the VOICE IS JACOB's but the hands are ESAU's. (v.22,23).
Isaac's blesSings on Jacob 2727-29.
JACOB's blessings;
"See, the smell of my son is as the smell of a field which the Lord hath blessed: Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven and the fatness of the earth and plenty of corn and wine: Let people serve thee and nations bow down to thee, and be lord over your brethren, and let thy mother's sons bow down to thee: cursed be every one that curseth thee and blesseth be he that blesseth thee". v.27-28.
Esau desperately sought his father’s blessings, he blessed him v.31-39. He would eventually have dominion.
ESAU's blessings:
"Behold thy dwelling shall be of the fatness of the earth and of the dew of heaven from above. And by thy sword shalt thou live and shalt serve thy brother; and it shall come to pass that when thou shalt have the dominion, that thou shall break his yoke from off thy neck" v.39-40.
Jacob fled to Laban in Paddan Aram Rebekah's Brother because Esau plan to kill him so that his father Isaac would mourn him.
But Rebekah told Jacob to flee (42-45). And persuaded her husband Isaac saying: 'I am disgusted with living because of this Hittite woman. If Jacob takes a wife from among the women of this land from Hittite women like Esau, this my life will not be worth living.' v.46
Isaac solves the problem. He called Jacob and commanded him to go to Paddan Aram, settle there and take a wife from Laban's daughters. He commanded Abraham's blessings on him Chapters 28:1-5
- Something about the ancient fathers of faith is they were attentive. They didn't allow situations to linger. Or toy with people's emotions which takes its toll on relationships
NIGHT: Jacob fled
His father’s blessings and his mother’s act had stirred sibling rivalry. He had to flee. He needed another lifestyle. (Genesis 2741-43; 285)
PONDER ON JAMES 410,6:
“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up”
“But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble”
ACTION: Avoid strife, envy, and jealousy; not everybody gets as favoured as Jacob and Esau; both still achieved great things.
© 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 Dr. Oluwatoyin Emiola Ojo.
Warmth
Dr. Toyin
Make A Comment
Comments (0)