Of Hairy, stew, funerals and birthrights

Genesis Chapter 25

Abraham dies at the ripe old age of 175 years. 

Isaac is now in his 70’s himself and Ishmael is 88 (maths from earlier chapters) when they put aside their differences to bury their father. 

In the intervening 30-40 years between Sarah’s death and Abraham’s death he takes another wife, Keturah. (or perhaps she is a concubine depending where you read the story – it is one of the “discrepancies” that people throw in to try and throw Christians.) 

For what it is worth, my view is that it does not matter much if they were officially married.

Anyway old Abraham manages to sire another half dozen sons with Keturah.

Abraham seems to have left everything to Isaac on his death, but made provision for his other children before he died. He also sent them away so they would not challenge Isaac.

We then get some history of Ishmael – but it is summed up as “they did not get along”

Then we get Jacob and Esau – their names mean “Grasper” and “Hairy” respectively. 

Due to the fact that Esau was quite hairy when he was born and Jacob had hold of Esau’s ankle.

It seems that Jacob and Esau never really saw eye to eye – Esau loved the outdoor life, hunting and generally killing things. While Jacob was much more of a stay at home kind of chap.

Esau it seems was not a great planner as he came in hungry from a hunt and Jacob had a vegetable stew on the go – Jacob sells Esau a bowl in exchange for his birth right. 

I’m not sure but I think that meant the oldest son inherited the vast majority of the estate while the younger son get virtually nothing in comparison.

As an elder brother I can sympathise with Esau a bit, he is hungry and young brother tries to pull a fast one on you. However I shout “you pillock” at Esau as he puts his immediate needs against his future comfort. 

After all nobody we know has ever mortgaged their future ……..oh wait it is probably something many people, banks and governments do.