Once Abraham became old, he started to seek a wife for Isaac from his own kindred to avoid Isaac potentially intermarrying with the Canaanites. This job was put under the responibility of Eliezer, the oldest servant in his household whom would have received Abraham's inheritance had he not had a son (Gen. 15:1-2). In carrying out this duty, an oath was made between Abraham and his servant which was by Eliezer placing his hand under Abraham's thigh (ch. 24:2-4). In the Ancient Near East, this custom of an intimate touch affirmed an oath (ch. 47:29). However, if the woman from Abraham's kindred refused to return with Eliezer to be presented to Isaac, he would be freed from his oath under Abraham (ch. 24:8). So Eliezer went to Mesopotamia, in the city of Nahor, Abraham's brother, and was able to successfully bring back Rebekah who was willing to return with him. Isaac prayed for Rebekah because she was barren and God granted his prayer resulting in Rebekah becoming pregnant. Isaac impregnated her with twins who struggled within her so hard that she inquired to the Lord about the matter. The Lord informed her that "two nations are within her whom will be divided, the one shall be stronger than the other, and the older shall serve the younger" (ch. 25:23). Understanding this verse helps the reader understand how Jacob tricking Esau out of his birthright in the future is no surprise to God because of it being foretold right here. So God reassures the Abrahamic covenant with Isaac (ch. 26:3) and sends him to settle in Gerar in Philistia. Following his father's footsteps, he also called his wife his sister out of fear of being killed and was later sent away by the king. God reassures His covenant with Abraham again to Isaac after arriving in Beersheba (ch.26:24). The king of Philistia visited Isaac and asked for an oath that they not be harmed since they realized God was with Isaac. Isaac gets old and his vision gets blurry (ch.27:1) which brings us to Jacob whom we'll learn of in the next lesson.
No comments:
Post a Comment