In this lesson, we will study about Abraham’s other children from Keturah, Ishmael’s children, and Isaac’s children. We will see where these children settled. Then we will study, briefly, the types of christians that Esau and Jacob represent. Finally, we will learn what happens to the soul at death.
Abraham’s children by Keturah (25:1-6)
- Their Names. 6 sons, 7 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren are named. The offspring of the other children besides Jokshan and Midian are not named.
- Their Separation. They were “sent away” from Isaac into the “east country.” That would put them in modern day Jordan and Saudi Arabia.
- Their Enmity. They have been bitter enemies of the Jews throughout history. For example, the descendants of Midian are the Midianites who fought against Gideon in Jud. 6-7.
- Their Inheritance. None. Isaac gets it all, except for some gifts.
Ishmael’s Children (25:11-18)
- Their Names. 12 princes are named (Gen. 17:20, fulfilling God’s promise).
- Their Towns. They name the towns they live in after themselves (Ps. 49:11).
- Their Lands. They settle from the Sinai Peninsula, through Arabia, to Assyria.
Isaac’s Children (25: 19-28)
- The Firstborn Twin. Esau, the father of the Edomites (south of the Dead Sea).
- His Likeness. He is like the antichrist, represented by the following:
- The Devil. “Red”, Rev. 12:3
- Nimrod. “Hunter”, Gen. 10:9
- Nebuchadnezzar. “Hairy”, Dan. 4:33
- The Second born Twin. Jacob, the father of the 12 tribes of Israel.
- His Likeness. He was a plain man (meaning “smooth,” Gen. 27:11). He was called Jacob (meaning “to supplant”) because he came out holding Esau’s heel. To supplant means to deceive, which he did (Gen. 27: 35-36). Thus deceivers are “smooth” (Ps. 55:21; Prov. 5:3; Is. 30:10).
Esau and Jacob’s Typology (25: 29-34)
- Esau, the Carnal Christian. When he came in from the “field” (a type of the “world,” Matt. 13:38), he was “faint” (Gal. 6:8-9). Likewise, worldly christians get weary from sowing to the flesh. He “despised his birthright.” The birthright entitled him to the “inheritance,” (Heb. 12:16-17). Carnal christians “live after the flesh” (Rom. 8:13) and lose their inheritance in the millennial kingdom of Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 6:9-10; Gal. 5:19-21; etc.).
- Jacob, the Faithless Christian. He was a schemer who couldn’t wait on God by faith to accomplish what he said he would (Gen. 25:23). He tricked Esau into selling him his birthright. He tricked his father into blessing him (Gen. 27).
The Soul’s Departure at Death (25: 7-10)
- His soul departed at Death. He gave up the Ghost. The soul departs from the body at death (Gen. 35:18; 1 Ki. 17:21-22).
- His soul went to Abraham’s Bosom. He was Gathered to his People. His soul went somewhere other than the grave, where others were gathered. In the Old Testament the souls of the saved went to Abraham’s Bosom (Lk. 16: 22). In the New Testament, the souls of the saved go to the Lord (2 Cor. 5:8). The souls of the lost go to hell (Lk. 16:22-23).
- His body went to the grave. He was Buried. He was interred with Sarah in the cave of Machpelah.