and He declared 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." and He declared to her:The Lord answered Rebekah’s distress with direct revelation, making known the significance of the children she carried. Her pregnancy stood within God’s covenant purposes first given to Abraham and reaffirmed to Isaac. 2Ki 4:16 And Elisha declared, “At this time next year…
Jdg 13:3 The angel of the LORD appeared to the woman and said to her…
Luk 1:31 Behold, you will conceive and give birth to a son,…
“Two nations are in your womb, Esau would become the father of Edom, while Jacob would become Israel, the father of the twelve tribes. Their lives would shape the history of two peoples whose relationship was marked by rivalry, conflict, and divine judgment. Rom 9:10-11 Not only that, but Rebecca’s children were conceived…
Gen 17:16 And I will bless her and will surely give you a son…
Gen 35:11 And God told him, “I am God Almighty. Be fruitful…
and two peoples from within you will be separated; Jacob and Esau would not merely follow different personal paths; their descendants would develop into distinct nations with opposing interests and destinies. Israel would bear the covenant line through which the promised Seed would come. Gen 36:8 So Esau (that is, Edom) settled in the area of Mount Seir.
Deu 2:4-5 You will pass through the territory of your brothers…
Oba 1:10-12 Because of the violence against your brother Jacob,…
one people will be stronger than the other, Edom at times possessed military strength and strategic territory, yet Israel would ultimately prevail under God’s appointed order. David subdued Edom, and the Lord preserved Israel as the nation through whom He revealed His law, prophets, and Messiah. 2Ki 14:7 Amaziah struck down 10,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt.…
2Sa 8:14 So the LORD made David victorious wherever he went.…
2Ch 25:11-12 Amaziah, however, summoned his strength and led his troops…
and the older will serve the younger.” Esau, though born first, would not receive the covenant blessing or preeminence. God’s choice of Jacob demonstrated that His redemptive purposes rest upon His sovereign grace rather than human custom or natural privilege. The prophecy was confirmed when Jacob received Isaac’s blessing and was later echoed in Romans 9 as evidence of God’s electing purpose. Rom 9:12 not by works but by Him who calls, she was told…
Gen 27:40 You shall live by the sword and serve your brother.…
Mal 1:2-3 “I have loved you,” says the LORD. But you ask……
Persons / Places / Events 1. RebekahThe wife of Isaac and mother of Esau and Jacob. She is the one who receives the prophecy from the LORD regarding her unborn children. 2. Esau and JacobThe twin sons of Isaac and Rebekah. Esau, the older, and Jacob, the younger, are the two nations mentioned in the prophecy. 3. The LORDGod Himself, who delivers the prophecy to Rebekah, indicating His sovereign plan and the future of her sons. 4. The WombSymbolically represents the beginning of the two nations and the struggle that will ensue between them. 5. The ProphecyA divine revelation that foretells the future of Esau and Jacob, highlighting the reversal of cultural norms where the older serves the younger. Teaching Points God's SovereigntyGod's plans and purposes are established before birth, demonstrating His control over history and individual destinies. Reversal of Human ExpectationsGod's ways often defy human norms and expectations, as seen in the younger Jacob being chosen over Esau. The Importance of Spiritual PrioritiesEsau's disregard for his birthright serves as a warning to prioritize spiritual blessings over immediate, worldly desires. Trust in God's PlanLike Rebekah, believers are called to trust in God's promises and His timing, even when circumstances seem uncertain. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the prophecy given to Rebekah in Genesis 25:23 challenge our understanding of God's sovereignty and human free will? 2. In what ways does the account of Esau and Jacob illustrate the theme of God's election and purpose as seen in Romans 9:10-12? 3. How can we apply the lesson of Esau's disregard for his birthright to our own lives, particularly in prioritizing spiritual over worldly matters? 4. What does the reversal of roles between Esau and Jacob teach us about God's ability to use unexpected people and situations for His purposes? 5. How can we find comfort and assurance in God's sovereign plans, especially when facing personal struggles or uncertainties? Connections to Other Scriptures Romans 9:10-12Paul references this prophecy to illustrate God's sovereign choice and purpose in election, emphasizing that God's plans are not based on human merit or actions. Malachi 1:2-3This passage reflects on God's love for Jacob and His rejection of Esau, further illustrating the fulfillment of the prophecy and God's sovereign will. Hebrews 12:16-17Esau is described as godless for selling his birthright, which connects to the prophecy's outcome where the older serves the younger. 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 Birth, Body, Born, Bowels, Divided, Elder, Manner, Nations, Older, Parted, Peoples, Separated, Servant, Serve, Stronger, Within, Womb, YoungerDictionary of Bible Themes Genesis 25:23 1651 numbers, 1-2
5096 Jacob, patriarch
8753 favouritism Genesis 25:21-23 5663 childbirth Genesis 25:21-26 5095 Jacob, life
5652 babies
5739 twins Genesis 25:21-34 7530 foreigners Genesis 25:22-23 8605 prayer, and God's will Genesis 25:23-24 5199 womb 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 25:23 NIVGenesis 25:23 NLTGenesis 25:23 ESVGenesis 25:23 NASBGenesis 25:23 KJV
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