Gen 25

:19 Freewill

Q>
1. Look at the first element of the Issac generation(ch.25:19-what does this element(especially the oracle) suggest as the plot of the story? How does the idea of human freedom emerge in the plot?

2. Read Gen.37:1-11 and see how the plot of this story is laid out at the beginning. Can you answer the questions of Joseph’s brothers and Jacob by the end of the story?

→ Both implies the same thing: Human freedom vs God’s predestination. The formal one, human freedom, even the word/imaginary from God tell/show the future, does not decide human history in advance. The success of Jacob and Joseph that made their dreams come true is not because of God predetermined everything beforehand but, rather, they followed God’s vision with all their hearts enduring a myriad of obstacles and temptations in their footsteps. Rebekah, for instance, took an important role to make God’s promise come true, helping Jacob to inherit the parental blessings from Issac. Rebekah followed God’s vision even though she should deceive her husband and his another child: Esau. Without her efforts and sacrifice, God's promise will probably stopped. The story of Abraham, selling his wife, Sarai, is the same that proves human's strong faith and passion that never give up – in spite of what they should paid for that – is the key to succeed God's promise in their lives. In my opinion, that devotion made those people to be written in the bible. Hence, it is concluded that the first step to be successful, or blessed, is to have a strong faith and passion like people in the bible.

:23 The LORD said 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."

- God in His sovereignty is not bound by the ‘natural’ or ‘legal’ principle of inheritance by primogeniture.
c.f) Choice of David as king of Israel(1Sam 16:1-13)
Not Ishmael but Issac was chosen
Joseph – 11th – rule over his brothers(Gen 37:5-11)
Ephraim precede over his elder brother Manasseh(Gen 48:8-20)

:27 The boys grew up, and Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the open country, while Jacob was a quiet man, staying among the tents.

– Jacob and Esau, caricatured as two contrasting types : hunter – quiet man who stay at home(shepherd in later) : sedentary way of life began to supersede the hunting stage.

:28 Isaac, who had a taste for wild game, loved Esau, but Rebekah loved Jacob.

Q> Why Rebekah love Jacob?
→ To carry on the God’s promise. God didn’t told His vision to Issac but to Rebekah. I think love means caring.

:32 "Look, I am about to die," Esau said. "What good is the birthright to me?"

Q> Why he is hungry as much to die? – he is a good hunter. did he really hungry?
→ I think this question is over the line. Instead, I want to look at the characteristic. Esau, compare to Issac or Abraham, is the person who is not patient, hasty, have no serious value on blessings. Even he despised his birthright.(v.34)