Bible Discussion Thread

Isaac and Ishmael did reunite and buried their father together. How much interaction they had prior to this or after is unknown. Notice that it was after Abraham died that God blessed Isaac. He was now 75, the same age that Abraham was when God called him to leave Ur. isaac was blessed by God through Abraham during his life, but now he was the family patriarch. He had been living at Beer Lahai Roi, in the Negev, southwest of Mamre (Hebron). Beer means well, Lahai Roi means "of the Living One who sees me." This very well may be the well that Hagar found when the Lord appeared to her when she was sent into the wilderness at Sarah's request. At the time, the wilderness area had plenty of game animals.

The next part of the chapter gives the lineage of Ishmael and account of his death. He had twelve sons (princes), just as prophesied, and the descendants dwelt across Saudi Arabia. Some of Keturah's sons' descendants also settled in northern Arabia, as well as to the east in what is later called Midian. Ishmael lived 137 years, living about 50 years longer than his father, Abraham. It says he died in the presence of all of his brethren, perhaps all of his sons.

The next section is an account of the birth of Jacob and Esau. Again, like Sarah, Rebekah was barren for some time, at least 20 years. She was probably a teen when she married Isaac, as was customary. Both new of God's promise and covenant with their father, Abraham. Therefore, they must have expected to have had many children within that 20 years. But no, none. Isaac pleaded with God concerning Rebekah's barrenness. God answered his prayers in His time. The pregnancy was unusual, as Rebekah felt that there was "wrestling" going on within her womb. She was concerned and asked God to give some explanation. He spoke to her (before it seemed that God spoke only to Abraham, but here He speaks to a woman) telling here that two nations are within her, twins, and gives a prophecy about the children.