Today’s passage: Genesis 25:1-18
Helpful thoughts:
- In our reading today, Abraham’s journey on this earth comes to an end.
- Abraham had other children with Keturah, a woman he presumably joined together with after Sarah’s death (She is regarded as a concubine, as Hagar had been). Sarah maintained her status as “Abraham’s wife.”
- Though we see genealogies from all of Abraham’s other sons, it is made clear to the reader, Isaac remained the inheritor of Abraham’s estate and the promise from God (Verses 5 and 11).
- God keeps every one of His promises. Verses 12-18 prove that again (See 17:20).
Questions to consider:
- Which name from the list of Abraham’s other sons jumps out from the rest? What name have we heard before from other places in Scripture (Here’s a short article with the answer)?
- In world history (And religious history) why is this passage so important? Who does it claim as God’s chosen people, the inheritors of His promise? Given the location of where these other families settled, who would be their descendants today? What religion would they likely represent?
- Though we continue to see so much division and hatred in that part of the world today, what (Who) could unite them? Regardless of whether they are descended from Isaac, Ishmael or any of Keturah’s sons (Or anyone else), who must they look to for their salvation?