Genesis 26:34-35

10. Esau's Hittite Wives (Genesis 26:34-35). At the age of forty, Esau took as wives two young women of Hittite stock who no doubt were well contaminated with prevailing Canaanite vices. According to Rashi, Esau had been living a dissolute life until then, but now he hypocritically said he would follow his father's example and marry at the same age he had married (SC, 148). These alliance were contrary to the will of God (Exodus 34:16, Deuteronomy 7:3, Joshua 23:12, Ezra 9:1-3, Nehemiah 13:23-27, 2 Corinthians 6:14-15, 1 Corinthians 7:39; and of his grandfather and parents (Genesis 24:38; Genesis 27:46; Genesis 28:1-2; Genesis 28:6; cf. Genesis 6:2). Esau's incapacity for spiritual values is further illustrated by this step. He is not concerned about conserving the spiritual heritage of the family (EG, 733). These marriages of Esau were a grief of mind to his parents, possibly because the young women's personal characters, but chiefly because of their Canaanitish descent, and because in marrying them Esau had not only violated the Divine law which forbade polygamy, but also evinced an utterly irreligious and unspiritual disposition (PCG, 332). (Cf. Acts 17:30). If the pious feelings of Abraham recoiled from the idea of Isaac forming a matrimonial connection with a Canaanitish woman, that devout patriarch himself [Isaac] would be equally opposed to such a union on the part of his children; and we may easily imagine how much his pious heart was wounded, and the family peace destroyed, when his favorite but wayward son brought no less than two idolatrous wives amongst theman additional proof that Esau neither desired the blessing nor dreaded the curse of God. These wives never gained the affections of his parents; and this estrangement was overruled by God for keeping the chosen family aloof from the dangers of heathen influence (CECG, 194). Note that these wives were a grief of mind (according to the Septuagint, contentious or obstreperous) to Isaac and Rebekah. How could it have been otherwise? one might well ask. To the various troubles which the Philistines prepared for Isaac, but which, through the blessing of God, only contributed to the increase of his wealth and importance, a domestic cross was added, which caused him great and lasting sorrow. Esau married two wives in the 40th year of his age, the 100th of Isaac's life (Genesis 25:26); and that not from his own relatives in Mesopotamia, but from among the Canaanites whom God cast off.. They became -bitterness of spirit,-' the cause of deep trouble, to his parents, viz., on account of their Canaanitish character, which was so opposed to the vocation of the patriarchs; whilst Esau by these marriages furnished another proof, how thoroughly his heart was set on earthly things (BCOTP, 273).

REVIEW QUESTIONS ON PART THIRTY-EIGHT

1.

Where was Isaac tenting when he married Rebekah?

2.

Where was the Philistine maritime plane geographically?

3.

Who were these Philistines who infiltrated the region around Gerar in earliest times? From what region did they come? By what name are they otherwise known in the ancient records?

4.

Name the five cities of Philistia? Of what special significance was Gerar?

5.

What was the meaning of the word Philistine? What was the origin of the name Palestine?

6.

What Divine assurance was vouchsafed Isaac at this time? What did God prevent his doing and why?

7.

To what place did God tell Isaac to go?

8.

How did Isaac's experience with Abimelech in regard to his wife Rebekah differ from Abraham's experience with the king's predecessor in regard to Sarah?

9.

What reasons have we for accepting these stories as two separate accounts of two separate episodes?

10.

What was the result of Isaac's venture into agriculture?

11.

What did Isaac do about the wells which had been dug by Abraham?

12.

What were the names of the new wells dug by Isaac and what did each name signify?

13.

What was the substance of the Divine communication at Beersheba?

14.

How many times in Isaac's life did Yahweh appear to him?

15.

What was the probable significance of the terms Abimelech and Phicol?

16.

What was the substance of the covenant of Isaac with Abimelech?

17.

Distinguish what was Scripturally known as profane swearing and what was known as judicial swearing? Cite scriptures to authenticate this distinction.

18.

What was the character of the oaths exchanged between Isaac and Abimelech?

19.

What was the other feature of the covenant ceremony? What light does this incident throw on Isaac's character?

20.

What was the name given to the last well brought in by Isaac's servants?

21.

How may we relate the naming of this well to the similar naming in Genesis 21:31?

22.

Cite other instances of twofold naming in the Old Testament. How is this to be explained?

23.

What was the location of the ancient city of Beersheba? Does it still exist? What role did this city play in the geography of Palestine?

24.

At what age did Esau first marry? From what ethnic group did Esau select these two wives?

25.

What do these facts of Esau's marriage indicate as to his character?

26.

How did Esau's marriage affect his parents?

27.

Name and describe the essentials of life as specified in Genesis 26:25.

LIFE OF ISAAC

1.

Gerar

a.

Birth: Genesis 20:1; Genesis 21:1-22.

b.

Rejection of Ishmael; Genesis 21:8-21.

2.

Beersheba

a.

Command to sacrifice Isaac; Genesis 21:32 to Genesis 22:2.

3.

Moriah

a.

Sacrifice of Isaac; Genesis 22:3-20.

4.

Beersheba

a.

Death of mother; Genesis 23:1-20.

5.

Beerlahairoi

a.

Marriage to Rebekah; Ch. 24.

6.

Trip to Hebron and back

a.

Death and burial of Abraham; Genesis 25:7-10.

7.

Beerlahairoi

a.

Birth of twin sons; Genesis 25:11; Genesis 25:19-26.

Birthright sold; Genesis 25:27-34.

8.

Gerar

a.

Lie about Rebekah.; Genesis 26:1-11.

b.

Great crops and herds; Genesis 26:12-17.

c.

Disputed wells; Genesis 26:18-21.

9.

Rehoboth

a.

Undisputed wells; Genesis 26:22

10.

Beersheba

a.

Covenant with Abimelech; Genesis 26:26-33.

b.

Esau's wives; Genesis 26:34-35.

c.

Blessing given to Jacob; Genesis 27.

d.

Jacob sent away Genesis 28:1-5.

11.

Hebron

a.

Reunion with Jacob: Genesis 35:27.

b.

Death and burial of Isaac; Genesis 35:28-29.