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1. Again, we see the passage of time but are given little details. Read verse 1 carefully. What does this verse tell us?
Now read I Chron. 1:32. What does it say about Keturah?
Some people argue that the Bible contains too many “contradictions” to be trusted. We seem to encounter one of these contradictions here. How do you explain the differences between these two verses?
2. Also, by examining carefully the verb “took” we can learn another truth about Bible study: we must be careful about making the Bible say something it does not. Some interpret this verb as meaning that Abraham married Keturah after Sarah died. Others say Abraham married her before Sarah died. Based upon our study so far, what do you think?
Let’s look at some details. How old was Abraham when Isaac was born?
How old was he when Sarah died?
If he married Keturah after Sarah died, how old would he have been when his other sons were born?
Some say Abraham was too old to beget all these sons at such an advanced age; therefore, he must have married Keturah before Sarah’s death. What do you think about this logic?
3. How many sons did Abraham have by Keturah?
How do you explain these additional sons? (Look back at God’s promises to Abraham.)
What can you learn about these sons from the following verses and from any further research?
4. Suddenly, in verse 5, we read that Abraham left everything to Isaac. Why is this important?
What did Abraham do for his other sons?
What do you think were the gifts Abraham gave to his sons?
After giving them gifts, what else did Abraham do?
Why do you think he did this?
If you were one of these other sons, how would you have felt?
Do we have any indication that they resented these decisions of their father?
If they were sent to the land of the east, where might these sons have settled?
5. Why do you think “concubines” is plural in verse 6?
What can we learn about Abraham that he would leave everything to Isaac but still had enough to give gifts to his other sons?
6. Let’s look back at Abraham’s life. How old was he when God called him out of Ur?
How old was he when Ishmael was born?
How old was he when Isaac was born?
How old was he when Sarah died?
How old was he when Isaac married?
How old was he when he died?
How old was Isaac when Abraham died?
7. Verse 8 tells us that Abraham died an old man and full of years. What do you think is meant by the term “full of years”?
What does it mean that Abraham was gathered to his people? Who were his people?
8. Who came to help Isaac bury Abraham?
How long had it been since these two brothers had seen each other?
Why do you think Ishmael returned?
What do you think this meeting was like?
Where are Abraham’s other sons?
9. Where was Abraham buried?
How important do you believe this piece of land is? Why?
Where is Abraham and Sarah’s tomb located today?
Why are they still fighting over this piece of land?
10. What did God do for Isaac following Abraham’s death?
Where was Isaac living at this time?
11. Before continuing with Isaac, the narrative returns to Ishmael one last time. Why do you believe God chose to do this?
How many sons did Ishmael have?
How long did Ishmael live?
Where did his sons settle?
What is the last thing that we are told about Ishmael and his sons?
Why do you believe this is the last statement written about Ishmael?
12. Now the narrative turns to Isaac. How old was Isaac when he married Rebekah?
Why did Isaac pray to God on behalf of his wife?
Abraham was still alive at this time. This time must have been very trying for Abraham because he made a similar prayer to God on behalf of his wife Sarah. If you had been Abraham, what advice would you have given to Isaac?
Why would God make Rebekah barren?
Next, we read that Rebekah became pregnant. However, we need to look more closely at the time involved. How old was Isaac when his son was born? (See verse 26.)
So, how long had Isaac been praying to God on behalf of his wife?
How do you think Isaac had been praying for his wife all this time? In other words, how do picture Isaac during his prayer times?
How long had Abraham prayed for Sarah (beginning with God’s original promise)?
Yet, during this time of testing of both men, Isaac differed from his father in one major way. What was it?
Why do you think God waited so long to give Isaac sons and Abraham grandsons?
13. God answered Isaac and Rebekah’s prayers. They are blessed with twins. However, what happens that causes Rebekah to be concerned?
Verse 27 states that the children “jostled with each other” in the womb. Other versions state that they “struggled” with each other. What is going on?
Why would this concern Rebekah?
For those who would know, what do you suppose this was like physically for Rebekah?
What does this tell us about these two children even though they are still in the womb?
What question does Rebekah ask because of this struggle between her two children?
14. What does Rebekah decide to do?
What does this tell us about her?
Do you think she told Isaac what was going on? Why do you think this?
15. Verse 23 contains God’s answer to Rebekah. What does God tell Rebekah?
What would it mean to you if God told you that you carried in your womb two nations?
What do you think it meant to Rebekah that these two were already struggling?
What are the implications that the older would serve the younger?
This is God’s answer. What are Isaac and Rebekah going to have to do to see it happen?
16. Next, we learn that Rebekah gives birth to twin sons. However, they are very different. What was the first-born son like?
What did they name him and what did his name mean?
What was the younger son like?
What did they name him and what does his name mean?
Why did they give him this name?
17. The differences between the two brothers continued as they grew. Describe Esau as he grew into a young man.
Describe Jacob.
What would you say was the biggest difference between the two brothers?
18. Verse 28 is a short verse but a very important one. What do we learn from this verse?
Why did Isaac prefer his son Esau?
Why did Rebekah prefer her son Jacob?
What effect might this preferential treatment by both parents have on the two sons?
At this time, does it seem the two sons have anything in common? Please explain.
19. What are the two brothers doing in verse 29?
How would you react, as a father, to find that your son is home cooking?
What does verse 29 tell us about Esau?
Some versions tell us that Esau was famished; others that he was faint. Can you identify with Esau’s condition? Please explain.
How did Esau become famished?
Can you remember a time when you were hungry and you walked into a room only to smell a delicious meal being cooked in the kitchen? What happened?
20.If you had worked hard preparing a meal and your brother came home, famished, and asked for something to eat, what would you do?
What does Esau ask of Jacob?
What was Jacob’s answer?
What do you think of Jacob based upon his answer?
What was Esau’s answer?
What do you think of Esau based upon his answer?
21. Why would Jacob want to buy his brother’s birthright? In other words, why was the birthright so important?
Was Jacob being devious in offering to “buy” Esau’s birthright? Please explain.
Read John 6:63. How do Jesus’ words relate to this story of Jacob and Esau?
Can you think of a modern example of a person selling his or her spiritual birthright for the pleasures of the flesh?
22.Read verse 32. Briefly summarize Esau’s reasoning in selling his birthright.
How do people use this same reasoning today to explain that they do not need what God offers?
23.Why does Jacob want Esau to swear an oath before giving him some stew?
Now, how would describe Esau?
How would you describe Jacob?
24.Verse 34 tells us that Esau despised his birthright. What does this mean?
In what way did Esau despise his birthright?
How do you think God would react to someone who sold his birthright for a bowl of soup?
25.Look back at what God told Rebekah concerning her sons. Was Jacob right in buying the birthright based upon what God had soid? Please explain.
Do you believe this is what God had in mind when he told Rebekah?
Do you think Rebekah told Jacob about God’s prophecy concerning his future? If so, how might this have affected Jacob as he grew into a young man?
26.This event was very serious. Look at Phil 3:19. What does this verse mean to you, especially after reading this account?
Read Heb 12:16. What does this say about Esau?
Why is Esau a godless man? |