May 11, 2025

DAILY BIBLE READING

Genesis 25 – From Abraham’s Death to the Conflict between Esau and Jacob

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Bible Text – Genesis 25 (KJV)

¹ Then again Abraham took a wife, and her name was Keturah.

² And she bare him Zimran, and Jokshan, and Medan, and Midian, and Ishbak, and Shuah.

³ And Jokshan begat Sheba, and Dedan. And the sons of Dedan were Asshurim, and Letushim, and Leummim.

⁴ And the sons of Midian; Ephah, and Epher, and Hanoch, and Abidah, and Eldaah. All these were the children of Keturah.

⁵ And Abraham gave all that he had unto Isaac.

⁶ But unto the sons of the concubines, which Abraham had, Abraham gave gifts, and sent them away from Isaac his son, while he yet lived, eastward, unto the east country.

⁷ And these are the days of the years of Abraham’s life which he lived, an hundred threescore and fifteen years.

⁸ 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.

⁹ And his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar the Hittite, which is before Mamre;

¹⁰ The field which Abraham purchased of the sons of Heth: there was Abraham buried, and Sarah his wife.

¹¹ And it came to pass after the death of Abraham, that God blessed his son Isaac; and Isaac dwelt by the well Lahairoi.

¹² Now these are the generations of Ishmael, Abraham’s son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah’s handmaid, bare unto Abraham:

¹³ And these are the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their names, according to their generations: the firstborn of Ishmael, Nebajoth; and Kedar, and Adbeel, and Mibsam,

¹⁴ And Mishma, and Dumah, and Massa,

¹⁵ Hadar, and Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah:

¹⁶ These are the sons of Ishmael, and these are their names, by their towns, and by their castles; twelve princes according to their nations.

¹⁷ And these are the years of the life of Ishmael, an hundred and thirty and seven years: and he gave up the ghost and died; and was gathered unto his people.

¹⁸ And they dwelt from Havilah unto Shur, that is before Egypt, as thou goest toward Assyria: and he died in the presence of all his brethren.

¹⁹ And these are the generations of Isaac, Abraham’s son: Abraham begat Isaac:

²⁰ And Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah to wife, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Padanaram, the sister to Laban the Syrian.

²¹ And Isaac intreated the Lord for his wife, because she was barren: and the Lord was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.

²² And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to enquire of the Lord.

²³ And the Lord said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger.

²⁴ And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb.

²⁵ And the first came out red, all over like an hairy garment; and they called his name Esau.

²⁶ And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau’s heel; and his name was called Jacob: and Isaac was threescore years old when she bare them.

²⁷ And the boys grew: and Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field; and Jacob was a plain man, dwelling in tents.

²⁸ And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison: but Rebekah loved Jacob.

²⁹ And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint:

³⁰ 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.

³¹ And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright.

³² And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me?

³³ And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob.

³⁴ Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.

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Introduction

This chapter marks a transition in the Genesis narrative. Abraham dies, Isaac becomes the bearer of God’s blessing, Ishmael’s descendants are named, and two new central figures emerge in Esau and Jacob. Most dramatic is the scene where Esau sells his birthright for a bowl of lentil stew—a symbol of despising spiritual blessings in favor of earthly needs.

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Commentary

1. Abraham’s Final Years (vv. 1–6)

• Abraham takes another wife, Keturah, and has more children.

• Crucially, he gives his entire inheritance to Isaac—affirming God’s covenant.

• The children of the concubines receive gifts and are sent away—symbolizing the separation of the covenant line.

2. Abraham’s Death and Burial (vv. 7–11)

• Abraham dies at a “ripe old age,” a life fully lived under God’s guidance.

• Isaac and Ishmael, half-brothers, bury him together—a moment of unity.

3. Ishmael’s Descendants (vv. 12–18)

• Twelve princes descend from Ishmael, fulfilling God’s promise to Hagar (Gen 16:10).

• Ishmael dies aged 137; his line continues independently of the covenant line.

4. Isaac’s Story Begins (vv. 19–21)

• Isaac prays for Rebekah because she is barren—an example of faith in action.

• God answers, and Rebekah conceives.

5. The Birth of Esau and Jacob (vv. 22–26)

• Even in the womb the twins struggle, foreshadowing that “the elder will serve the younger.”

• Esau is born first, red and hairy; Jacob follows, grasping Esau’s heel—symbolic of their future rivalry.

6. Contrasting Characters (vv. 27–28)

• Esau grows up a skillful hunter, impulsive and outdoorsy.

• Jacob is quiet, home-oriented, and strategic.

• Isaac favors Esau, Rebekah favors Jacob—planting seeds of family tension.

7. The Sale of the Birthright (vv. 29–34)

• Esau, famished from the field, begs Jacob for stew.

• Jacob seizes the moment: “Sell me your birthright.”

• Esau despises his spiritual inheritance and trades it for a single meal.

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Summary

Genesis 25 sets the stage for the rest of Scripture:

• Abraham’s death passes the blessing to Isaac.

• Ishmael’s line branches off.

• The birth of Esau and Jacob introduces prophetic tension.

• Esau’s disdain for his birthright underscores the theme of valuing spiritual blessings.

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Message for Today

• God’s purposes span generations, despite human failings.

• Spiritual gifts and callings must be cherished—not casually exchanged.

• Prayer is powerful: like Isaac’s intercession for Rebekah, we can pray with expectation.

• Family relationships require care to prevent destructive rivalries.

• Character matters: Jacob’s hunger for God’s blessing, though imperfect, was decisive.

“Do not despise your birthright.” – Value faithfully what God has entrusted to you.

~~~~~ ~~~~~

May 11–17, 2025

WEEKLY SPIRIT OF PROPHECY READING

Ellen G. White │ Patriarchs and Prophets – Chapter 4

“The Plan of Redemption”

Read online here

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Introduction

Chapter 4 of Patriarchs and Prophets, titled “The Plan of Redemption,” offers a profound glimpse into the heart of the Christian gospel. It portrays the cosmic significance of the Fall and God’s response through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. From heaven’s anguish over humanity’s sin to the unfolding of the rescue plan in Christ’s sacrifice, the text reveals the unfathomable depth of God’s love.

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Commentary

1. Heavenly Sorrow and Christ’s Compassion
   After the Fall, all heaven mourns. The Son of God is moved with pity. Though the Creator could have left humanity to death, His love seeks a way of salvation.
2. The “Counsel of Peace” and Christ’s Self-Sacrifice
   Redemption is decreed in an eternal, loving agreement between the Father and the Son. Christ volunteers Himself as the ransom—an act that fills the angels with both awe and sorrow.
3. The Role of the Angels in the Plan of Redemption
   The angels cannot bear the burden of atonement, but they are commissioned to minister to humanity, to accompany Christ in His humiliation, and to support the unfolding of the redemption plan.
4. The Universal Significance of Christ’s Sacrifice
   Christ’s offering matters not only for mankind but for the entire universe. It answers questions about God’s justice, the unchangeable nature of His law, and the character of Satan.
5. The First Promise in the Garden of Eden
   Genesis 3:15 is presented as the “gospel in seed form.” It promises victory over Satan through the “seed of the woman,” ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
6. Hope Despite Judgment
   Although humanity has fallen, hope remains. Through repentance and faith, people can be restored as children of God.
7. The Sacrificial Service as Symbol
   The offerings continually reminded Adam of human sinfulness and the need for an atoning sacrifice. His first sacrifice was both painful and instructive.
8. The Cosmic Dimension of Redemption
   The plan of salvation demonstrates God’s justice and mercy to all creation. It upholds God as righteous while exposing Satan as accuser and deceiver.
9. The Significance of the Immutable Law
   If God’s law were changeable, Christ’s death would have been unnecessary. Instead, His sacrifice confirms the eternal and just character of the law.

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Summary

The plan of redemption reveals God’s character—infinitely loving and perfectly just. Despite the depth of humanity’s fall, God offers restoration through Jesus Christ. Heaven, the universe, and humankind alike bear witness to the greatness of this plan, which was ordained before the foundation of the world.

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Application for Today

• God sees our condition but does not abandon us.
• His love goes so far that He Himself bears the punishment we deserve.
• Christ is our substitute, our mediator, and our Savior.
• Faith in Him opens the way to forgiveness, life, and a future with God.
• Every person today has the opportunity to become part of this redemption.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
— John 3:16