19 This is the account of the family of Isaac, the son of Abraham. 20 When Isaac was forty years old, he married Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Aramean from Paddan-aram and the sister of Laban the Aramean.

21 Isaac pleaded with the Lord on behalf of his wife, because she was unable to have children. The Lord answered Isaac’s prayer, and Rebekah became pregnant with twins. 22 But the two children struggled with each other in her womb. So she went to ask the Lord about it. “Why is this happening to me?” she asked.

23 And the Lord told her, “The sons in your womb will become two nations. From the very beginning, the two nations will be rivals. One nation will be stronger than the other; and your older son will serve your younger son.”

24 And when the time came to give birth, Rebekah discovered that she did indeed have twins! 25 The first one was very red at birth and covered with thick hair like a fur coat. So they named him Esau. 26 Then the other twin was born with his hand grasping Esau’s heel. So they named him Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when the twins were born.

Genesis 25:19-26 (NLT)

Backdrop

Now we continue with the promised line…Isaac and his sons. Isaac married Rebekah when he was 40 and they went almost 20 years without a son. God had not appeared to Isaac as he had to Abraham when He made the promise to bless his offspring. But surely Isaac knew without a shadow of a doubt that the Lord had promised his father, Abraham. He, himself, was the miracle promised (and almost sacrificed) son.

Father’s faith

We know Abraham’s story of faith…but also his failure – which we reviewed yesterday. He and Sarah, in a lapse of faith, tried to do God’s work for Him. Without consulting the Lord, Abraham fathered a child with Hagar. So here, the father’s faith was lacking. But in so many other times, it was proven good as gold – even worthy of being credited to him as righteousness (Genesis 15:6).

Prayer of a husband

In comparison, we see Isaac, the promised son, having no word from God and with no son for almost 20 years. What does he do? He knows the promise will come through him. Does he follow his father’s footsteps? Well, yes, he applies the same faith. But no, he didn’t take matters into his own hands. Rather, he “pleaded with the Lord on behalf of his wife (v21)”. We don’t know if he waited 20 years to offer this prayer. Isaac surely was a loving and caring husband.

Cascading faith

This prayer was answered. What I find really neat is that this faith was demonstrated in Rebekah as well. We first saw it when she agreed to leave her home and go with the servant to be Isaac’s wife. Now we see her seek the Lord about the struggle she felt in her womb. The Lord answered and predicted their natures and futures. Jacob (grab heal or, deceiver) was 2nd born. Esau was first but would later serve Jacob. This opens one of the most amazing stories that reveals a whole lot about our God’s character and position.

RЯeflection

• The challenge to us is to follow the faith of our “fathers” – those who’ve gone before us. Take a look at Hebrews 11 for the “hall of faith”. Think of the stories shared and consider which applies to your situation. Then, believe!