6 JULY GENESIS 25
- Werner Jansen van rensburg
- Jul 6
- 4 min read
Generations, Transitions, and Sovereign Election
Genesis 25 brings closure to the life of Abraham while introducing new beginnings through Isaac, Ishmael, and the birth of Esau and Jacob. The chapter is rich in transition: between patriarchs, promises, and destinies.
Abraham’s Final Years*
Genesis 25:1–2 (NIV) "Abraham had taken another wife, whose name was Keturah. She bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak and Shuah." Keturah, possibly taken as a concubine after Sarah’s death, bears six sons. Among them, Midian would later father the Midianites, who appear throughout Israel’s wilderness narrative (cf. Exodus 2 and Judges 6).
Yet Abraham distinguishes Isaac’s status. Genesis 25:5–6 (NIV) "Abraham left everything he owned to Isaac. But while he was still living, he gave gifts to the sons of his concubines and sent them away from his son Isaac to the land of the east." Though generous to others, Abraham honours God’s covenantal order. Isaac alone inherits the promise, as ordained in Genesis 17 and confirmed in Genesis 21.
Then, the patriarch dies. Genesis 25:7–8 (NIV) "Abraham lived a hundred and seventy-five years. Then Abraham breathed his last and died at a good old age, an old man and full of years; and he was gathered to his people." Abraham dies “full of years” a phrase used for the righteous who walk with God. His legacy is both physical and spiritual, leaving behind a covenant that will shape nations.
He is buried beside Sarah. Genesis 25:9–10 (NIV) " His sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah near Mamre, in the field of Ephron son of Zohar the Hittite, the field Abraham had bought from the Hittites. There Abraham was buried with his wife Sarah.
Isaac and Ishmael reunite to honour their father, an image of solemn dignity. The covenantal burial site becomes the anchor of the patriarchal promise.
The Generations of Ishmael
Genesis 25:12–13 (NIV) " This is the account of the family line of Abraham’s son Ishmael, whom Sarah’s slave, Hagar the Egyptian, bore to Abraham. These are the names of the sons of Ishmael, listed in the order of their birth: Nebaioth the firstborn of Ishmael, Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, Ishmael has twelve sons, paralleling Israel’s twelve tribes. God’s promise to Hagar in Genesis 16 and 21 is fulfilled: Ishmael becomes a great nation, though outside the covenant line. Genesis 25:17–18 (NIV) "Ishmael lived a hundred and thirty-seven years. He breathed his last and died, and he was gathered to his people. His descendants settled in the area… and they lived in hostility toward all the tribes related to them."
Ishmael’s line is strong but marked by strife. Though blessed, it stands in contrast to Isaac’s peace and chosen status.
Isaac and Rebekah – The Chosen Line Continues
Genesis 25:20–21 (NIV) "Isaac was forty years old when he married Rebekah… Isaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his wife, because she was childless. The Lord answered his prayer, and his wife Rebekah became pregnant." Like Abraham before him, Isaac must wait in prayer for the promise. Rebekah’s barrenness highlights again that covenantal blessing is always a miracle of grace, not human ability.
But the pregnancy is tumultuous. Genesis 25:22–23 (NIV) "The babies jostled each other within her, and she said, ‘Why is this happening to me?’ So she went to inquire of the Lord. The Lord said to her, ‘Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.’" God reveals that election is at work. Before they are born, God declares His sovereign choice: the older (Esau) shall serve the younger (Jacob). This would later form the theological basis of Paul's teaching on grace and divine purpose.
Romans 9:11–13 (NIV) "Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad—in order that God’s purpose in election might stand… she was told, ‘The older will serve the younger.’ Just as it is written: ‘Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.’"
The Birth of Esau and Jacob
Genesis 25:24–26 (NIV) "When the time came for her to give birth, there were twin boys in her womb. The first to come out was red, and his whole body was like a hairy garment; so they named him Esau. After this, his brother came out, with his hand grasping Esau’s heel; so he was named Jacob." Their birth reflects their future: Esau, earthy and rugged; Jacob, grasping and tenacious. Their characters and destinies are already foreshadowed in the manner of their birth.
Esau Sells His Birthright The chapter closes with a sobering exchange—Esau’s appetite versus Jacob’s ambition. Genesis 25:29–34 (NIV)"Once when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from the open country, famished. He said to Jacob, ‘Quick, let me have some of that red stew!’…Jacob replied, ‘First sell me your birthright.’ ‘Look, I am about to die,’ Esau said. ‘What good is the birthright to me?’… So Esau despised his birthright." Esau sells the spiritual inheritance of the firstborn for a temporary meal.
The New Testament later uses this as a warning against profane, short-sighted decisions. Hebrews 12:16 (NIV) " See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son."