Abraham lived a long life and died at the ripe old age of hundred and seventy five. Isaac and Ishmael buried their father in the tomb which Abraham had bought for Sarah, and so this tomb at Machpelah. This chapter focuses on the numerous descendants of Abraham, a guy, who perhaps had no children till he was eighty six years old.

The second part of the chapter tells the story of Isaac’s twin sons Jacob and Esau and their sibling rivalry that followed right from their birth.
Rebekah had them after twenty years of barrenness and after Isaac prayed for his wife, God opened Rebekah’s womb. The twins started their rivalry in Rebekah’s womb and upon inquiring from God she got to know what was in store for her two boys.

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. ”

The two brothers who could not be more different from each other. One was a ladies’ man while the other was a lady like man. Esau was a hairy individual who loved the outdoors while Jacob was content managing the household chores. But Jacob was chosen by God to continue the lineage leading to Jesus while Esau had to be content with his bowl of soup.

Questions Discussed in this Podcast –

V6: Why did Abraham marry again? Why did he send his other sons away?
V18: Why did Ishmael’s clan had to live in hostility with other tribes related to them?
V21: Why did Isaac pray on behalf of Rebekah? Why didn’t she pray directly?
V21: Can we pray on behalf of someone?
V31: What is birthright and why is it so important?
V32: Can we blame Esau for selling his birthright when God foretold this to Rebekah?