and Isaac was forty years old when he married Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Aramean from Paddan-aram and the sister of Laban the Aramean. And Isaac was forty years oldThe age of Isaac at the time of his marriage is significant. In Hebrew culture, the number forty often symbolizes a period of testing, trial, or preparation. Isaac's age suggests maturity and readiness for the responsibilities of marriage and family. This period of waiting can be seen as a time of preparation ordained by God, reflecting the importance of divine timing in fulfilling His promises. when he married Rebekah
The marriage of Isaac and Rebekah is a pivotal moment in the Abrahamic narrative. The Hebrew word for "married" here is "laqach," which means to take or receive. This implies not just a legal union but a divinely orchestrated covenant relationship. Rebekah's selection as Isaac's wife was guided by God's providence, emphasizing the importance of seeking God's will in marital relationships. the daughter of Bethuel the Aramean
Bethuel, Rebekah's father, is identified as an Aramean, indicating the family's origin from the region of Aram. This highlights the continuation of Abraham's lineage through a family that, while not Canaanite, shares a common ancestry with Abraham. The Arameans were known for their nomadic lifestyle, which aligns with the patriarchal narratives of sojourning and reliance on God's guidance. from Paddan-aram
Paddan-aram, also known as Mesopotamia, is a region that holds significant historical and theological importance. It is the land from which Abraham originally came, symbolizing a return to the roots of the Abrahamic covenant. This geographical reference underscores God's faithfulness in preserving the covenant line through specific, divinely chosen locations and people. and the sister of Laban the Aramean
Laban, Rebekah's brother, plays a crucial role in later narratives, particularly in the life of Jacob. Mentioning Laban here foreshadows future interactions and the continuation of God's plan through familial relationships. The repetition of "the Aramean" emphasizes the ethnic and cultural background of Rebekah's family, which, while distinct from the Canaanites, is integral to the unfolding of God's redemptive history. Persons / Places / Events 1. IsaacThe son of Abraham and Sarah, Isaac is a key patriarch in the lineage of the Israelites. His life is marked by obedience and faith, and he is a bridge between the promises given to Abraham and their continuation through Jacob. 2. RebekahThe wife of Isaac and mother of Esau and Jacob. Rebekah is known for her decisive actions and her role in the continuation of God's covenant through Jacob. 3. BethuelRebekah's father, identified as an Aramean. His lineage connects Rebekah to the broader family of Abraham, emphasizing the importance of family ties in the biblical account. 4. LabanRebekah's brother, who later plays a significant role in the life of Jacob. Laban's interactions with Jacob highlight themes of family, deception, and God's providence. 5. Paddan-aramA region in Mesopotamia, significant as the place where Abraham's family resided. It serves as a backdrop for the unfolding of God's promises through the patriarchs. Teaching Points God's Timing and FaithfulnessIsaac was forty years old when he married Rebekah, illustrating that God's timing is perfect. We are reminded to trust in God's plan and timing for our lives. Importance of Family and HeritageThe emphasis on Rebekah's family background highlights the importance of maintaining faith and values within the family. We should strive to uphold and pass on our faith heritage. Role of Obedience in God's PlanIsaac's marriage to Rebekah was a result of obedience to God's guidance. Our obedience to God's will is crucial in fulfilling His purposes in our lives. Providence in RelationshipsThe union of Isaac and Rebekah was orchestrated by God, showing that He is involved in our relationships. We should seek His guidance in our relational decisions. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the account of Isaac and Rebekah's marriage encourage us to trust in God's timing for our own lives? 2. In what ways can we ensure that our family heritage and values align with God's purposes, as seen in the lineage of Isaac and Rebekah? 3. How does the obedience of Isaac and Rebekah to God's plan challenge us to be obedient in our own lives? 4. What can we learn from the providential way Isaac and Rebekah were brought together about seeking God's guidance in our relationships? 5. How does the connection between Genesis 25:20 and Hebrews 11 inspire us to live a life of faith in the promises of God? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 24This chapter details the account of how Rebekah was chosen as Isaac's wife, emphasizing God's providence and the importance of faithfulness to God's plan. Genesis 28Jacob's journey to Paddan-aram to find a wife among his mother's relatives mirrors Isaac's marriage to Rebekah, highlighting the continuation of God's covenant through family lineage. Hebrews 11Isaac is mentioned in the "faith hall of fame," underscoring his role in the lineage of faith and the fulfillment of God's promises. People Abraham, Abida, Abidah, Adbeel, Aram, Asshurim, Asshurites, Bethuel, Dedan, Dumah, Eldaah, Enoch, Ephah, Epher, Ephron, Esau, Hadad, Hadar, Hagar, Hanoch, Havilah, Heth, Hittites, Isaac, Ishbak, Ishmael, Jacob, Jetur, Jokshan, Kedar, Kedemah, Keturah, Laban, Letushim, Letushites, Leummim, Leummites, Mamre, Massa, Medan, Mibsam, Mishma, Naphish, Nebaioth, Nebajoth, Rebekah, Sarah, Shuah, Tema, Zimran, Zoar, ZoharPlaces Assyria, Beer-lahai-roi, Egypt, Machpelah, Mamre, Paddan-aram, Shur DesertTopics Aram, Aramaean, Aramean, Bethuel, Bethu'el, Daughter, Forty, Isaac, Laban, Married, Padanaram, Padan-aram, Paddan, Paddan-aram, Rebecca, Rebekah, Sister, Syrian, Taking, WifeDictionary of Bible Themes Genesis 25:18 5661 brothers Genesis 25:12-18 5078 Abraham, significance Library Pottage Versus Birthright
Esau despised his birthright'--GENESIS xxv. 34. Broad lessons unmistakable, but points strange and difficult to throw oneself back to so different a set of ideas. So I. Deal with the narrative. Not to tell it over again, but bring out the following points:-- (a) Birthright.--What? None of them any notion of sacred, spiritual aspect of it. To all, merely material advantages: headship of the clan. All the loftier aspects gone from Isaac, who thought he could give it for venison, from Esau, and from …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureThe Death of Abraham
'Then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to his people.'--GENESIS xxv. 8. 'Full of years' does not seem to me to be a mere synonym for longevity. That would be an intolerable tautology, for we should then have the same thing said three times over--'an old man,' 'in a good old age,' 'full of years.' There must be some other idea than that in the words. If you notice that the expression is by no means a usual one, that it is only …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Jacob and Esau
(Second Sunday in Lent.) GENESIS xxv. 29-34. And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint: And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom. And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright. And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me? And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob. Then …
Charles Kingsley—The Gospel of the Pentateuch Jesus Heals Multitudes Beside the Sea of Galilee.
^A Matt. XII. 15-21; ^B Mark III. 7-12. ^a 15 And Jesus perceiving it withdrew ^b with his disciples ^a from thence: ^b to the sea [This was the first withdrawal of Jesus for the avowed purpose of self-preservation. After this we find Jesus constantly retiring to avoid the plots of his enemies. The Sea of Galilee, with its boats and its shores touching different jurisdictions, formed a convenient and fairly safe retreat]: ^a and many followed him; ^b and a great multitude from Galilee followed; and …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Every Believer's Birthright.
On every hand a lack of something is being felt and expressed by God's people. Their Christian experience is not what they expected it would be. Instead of expected victory, it is oft-recurring, dreaded defeat; instead of soul satisfaction, it is soul hunger; instead of deep, abiding heart rest, it is disquiet and discontent; instead of advancing, it is losing ground. Is this all Christ meant when He said, "Come unto Me"? Is this life of constant disappointment the normal life of the Bible Christian? …
John MacNeil—The Spirit-Filled Life Second Great Group of Parables.
(Probably in Peræa.) Subdivision D. Parable of the Lost Son. ^C Luke XV. 11-32. ^c 11 And he said, A certain man had two sons [These two sons represent the professedly religious (the elder) and the openly irreligious (the younger). They have special reference to the two parties found in the first two verses of this chapter --the Pharisees, the publicans and sinners]: 12 and the younger of them [the more childish and easily deceived] said to his father, Father, give me the portion of thy substance …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Conflict.
"Therefore let us also, seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the Author and Perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the Cross, despising shame, and hath sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him that hath endured such gainsaying of sinners against themselves, that ye …
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews John the Baptist's Person and Preaching.
(in the Wilderness of Judæa, and on the Banks of the Jordan, Occupying Several Months, Probably a.d. 25 or 26.) ^A Matt. III. 1-12; ^B Mark I. 1-8; ^C Luke III. 1-18. ^b 1 The beginning of the gospel [John begins his Gospel from eternity, where the Word is found coexistent with God. Matthew begins with Jesus, the humanly generated son of Abraham and David, born in the days of Herod the king. Luke begins with the birth of John the Baptist, the Messiah's herald; and Mark begins with the ministry …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel But if Moreover any not Having Charity, which Pertaineth to the Unity of Spirit...
23. But if moreover any not having charity, which pertaineth to the unity of spirit and the bond of peace whereby the Catholic Church is gathered and knit together, being involved in any schism, doth, that he may not deny Christ, suffer tribulations, straits, hunger, nakedness, persecution, perils, prisons, bonds, torments, swords, or flames, or wild beasts, or the very cross, through fear of hell and everlasting fire; in nowise is all this to be blamed, nay rather this also is a patience meet to …
St. Augustine—On Patience Of the Effects of those Prerogatives.
From these prerogatives there will arise to the elect in heaven, five notable effects:-- 1. They shall know God with a perfect knowledge (1 Cor. i. 10), so far as creatures can possibly comprehend the Creator. For there we shall see the Word, the Creator; and in the Word, all creatures that by the Word were created; so that we shall not need to learn (of the things which were made) the knowledge of him by whom all things were made. The most excellent creatures in this life, are but as a dark veil …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety Travelling in Palestine --Roads, Inns, Hospitality, Custom-House Officers, Taxation, Publicans
It was the very busiest road in Palestine, on which the publican Levi Matthew sat at the receipt of "custom," when our Lord called him to the fellowship of the Gospel, and he then made that great feast to which he invited his fellow-publicans, that they also might see and hear Him in Whom he had found life and peace (Luke 5:29). For, it was the only truly international road of all those which passed through Palestine; indeed, it formed one of the great highways of the world's commerce. At the time …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Genesis
The Old Testament opens very impressively. In measured and dignified language it introduces the story of Israel's origin and settlement upon the land of Canaan (Gen.--Josh.) by the story of creation, i.-ii. 4a, and thus suggests, at the very beginning, the far-reaching purpose and the world-wide significance of the people and religion of Israel. The narrative has not travelled far till it becomes apparent that its dominant interests are to be religious and moral; for, after a pictorial sketch of …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Genesis 25:20 NIVGenesis 25:20 NLTGenesis 25:20 ESVGenesis 25:20 NASBGenesis 25:20 KJV
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