And Isaac prayed to the LORD for his wife, because she was barren. And the Lord granted his prayer, and Rebekah his wife conceived. The children struggled together within her and she said “If it is thus, why is this happening to me?” So she went to inquire of the Lord And the Lord said to her, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you shall be divided; the one shall be stronger than the other, the older shall serve the younger.” (25:21-23)
People are people. In that, nothing much has changed over the centuries. People have grief, joys, struggles, there is striving and competition. And through it all, there is God, working out His plan, giving good gifts to his children.
Rebekah is barren – a tragedy for any woman who wants children, and even more in those days, when bearing children was so tied up in a woman’s worth and identity. So, her husband prays (always the best course of action) and God graciously grants his prayer and blesses Rebekah with a pregnancy. Things feel strange to her, so she inquires of the Lord (they didn’t have ultrasounds back then) and God reveals that she has twins growing inside her. But God gives her details -from each of these sons will come a nation, and they shall be divided, and the older will serve the younger. That last piece of information must have startled her, because traditionally the younger served the older, the firstborn.
In due time the twins are born, Esau coming out first, followed by Jacob, holding onto Esau’s heel. That must have looked cute, but it was also a picture of what would happen as they grew, with Jacob not about to “stay behind.”
The boys grew, and their father, Isaac, loved Esau because Esau was a skilled hunter whose game his father enjoyed eating, while Rebekah loved Jacob, a man of the field.
The division in the family with each parent having a marked preference for an offspring might have been subtle or not, but it certainly didn’t make for the best family relationships.
I can’t think of too many healthy family situations in the Bible, but we can learn from negative examples, (what not to do) even as we can learn from positive ones (what to do.) Unity between parents is so important, and if there is disagreement, which is common, the parents can at least strive to keep that private and present a united front, meanwhile keeping a humble heart and seeking God regarding the differences.
Prayer: Lord, help me to be wise in my relationships—starting with my marriage, my family, friends, congregation. Help me strive for unity, even when there is disagreement. Amen.
