Chapter Summary

Abraham weds Keturah. Isaac becomes Abraham's heir. Death of Abraham. Generations of Ishmael and Isaac. Birth of Esau and Jacob and the sale of the birthright.

Discussion Questions for Genesis, Chapter 25

1. Why do you think God allowed Abraham to live to be "175 years" (HCSB) old? Is this exaggeration, or a literal time period? What role does Abraham play in God's covenants for His people? What can Abraham's long life teach you about the value of making the most of every day?
2. Why did Abraham get married again? Why is it important to have record of his additional descendants through his new wife "Keturah" (HCSB)? In what ways do these descendants impact God's promises to Abraham if he "gave everything he owned to Isaac" (HCSB)? What impacts do inheritances and genealogies have on your current situation in life?
3. Why is it significant that Abraham was buried in the same place as Sarah? What does this teach us about cultural norms and practices regarding death? In what ways can this account cause you to evaluate death, and how to live in the moment?
4. Why is it significant that Isaac and Rebekah were also unable to have children? How does the Lord intervene because of their prayers? What does this family line teach you about infertility and God's purpose in that? How can you minister to someone who is unable to grow their family?
5. Why is it important to know the different personality types of Jacob and Esau? How does this chapter cause us to think about "masculinity" and gender roles? Are they important? How might Jacob and Esau's differences teach you about the roles individuals should play? How should you approach gender roles and stereotypes in your culture today?
6. What is the significance of the prophecy in verse 23? How does this fit in to the covenant promise of God to Abraham? Why is it important to know that Jacob and Esau would "be separated" (HCSB), even though they are twins? How can you rest in God's promises in your own life, even when your circumstances may be less than ideal?
7. What does the foretelling of "two nations" tell us about the future of Isaac's children? Does this mean that God loved one "nation" more than the other? How does this reconcile with God's love and plan for all the nations? How do you trust God's promises when life sometimes seems unfair?
8. What is a birthright? Why was it so important for Jacob to have Esau's birthright? In what ways does this sibling deception foretell events in future chapters? How do you work through family conflict, whether with blood relatives or with church family?
9. Why is it important that Rebekah and Isaac had differing preferences for their children? Did this favoritism have negative or destructive impacts? How have you seen familial divisions cause problems? In what ways can you work to prevent such divisions from occurring in your own family?
10. How does God's ultimate choice of Jacob over Esau in verse 23 raise questions of fairness and justice? Is God entitled to make whatever decision He pleases? How does understanding God's sovereignty help determine your level of trust in Him, even when you don't understand His choices?

Key Words/Phrase

Birthright, v. 31.

Characters

Abraham, Keturah, Zimram, Jokshau, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, Shuah, Isaac, Ishmael, Esau, Jacob, Rebekah.

Strong Verse(s)

23