Genesis 25:5 belongs to the continuing story of Abraham and his family and to Abraham's gradual development of faith, leading into Isaac and his two sons with their defects and Jacob's victory that made him Israel, prevailer with God. The verse records that Abraham gave all that he had to Isaac, making Isaac alone the heir. Abraham had eight sons, yet made Isaac alone heir of all. Abraham gave gifts to his other sons and sent them away.
This left Ishmael without a share in Abraham's property, and the Bedouin Ishmaelites hold that their father Ishmael was unjustly deprived of his share by his brother Isaac, and they justify robbing travelers they meet as merely taking back their rightful share in Abraham's property. On another understanding, Ishmael also received a large portion of his father's property, and this inheritance enabled him to take a high position among the Arab tribes. On still another understanding, Ishmael was sent away with only a small gift, while Isaac as heir must wait for the inheritance.
Isaac's unique place as heir shows that God's recognized line of Abraham's descendants was not determined by natural descent alone, but by the line of promise. Only one son was counted for the seed, while Ishmael, Esau and the rest are cut off from the good olive tree to perish. Therefore the seed of Abraham and the true Israel are not mere natural descendants but the children of promise alone, those who like Jacob have power with God and prevail, who sustain the character of Israel, and who live by faith.
Ishmael's part means taking present wages and a portion in this life to satisfy sense and living by sight, while Isaac's part means leaving present possession to live upon a promise and waiting for the inheritance reserved in heaven and living by faith. Most make the worldling's mean choice with Ishmael because the world gives present wages, while only a few elevated, heroic spirits choose with Isaac to wait for Christ's reward in another life. God worked for Isaac when he did not contend for his rights but committed his cause to God.
Genesis 25:5 belongs to the continuing story of Abraham and his family and to Abraham's gradual development of faith, leading into Isaac and his two sons with their defects and Jacob's victory that made him Israel, prevailer with God. The verse records that Abraham gave all that he had to Isaac, making Isaac alone the heir. Abraham had eight sons, yet made Isaac alone heir of all. Abraham gave gifts to his other sons and sent them away.
This left Ishmael without a share in Abraham's property, and the Bedouin Ishmaelites hold that their father Ishmael was unjustly deprived of his share by his brother Isaac, and they justify robbing travelers they meet as merely taking back their rightful share in Abraham's property. On another understanding, Ishmael also received a large portion of his father's property, and this inheritance enabled him to take a high position among the Arab tribes. On still another understanding, Ishmael was sent away with only a small gift, while Isaac as heir must wait for the inheritance.
Isaac's unique place as heir shows that God's recognized line of Abraham's descendants was not determined by natural descent alone, but by the line of promise. Only one son was counted for the seed, while Ishmael, Esau and the rest are cut off from the good olive tree to perish. Therefore the seed of Abraham and the true Israel are not mere natural descendants but the children of promise alone, those who like Jacob have power with God and prevail, who sustain the character of Israel, and who live by faith.
Ishmael's part means taking present wages and a portion in this life to satisfy sense and living by sight, while Isaac's part means leaving present possession to live upon a promise and waiting for the inheritance reserved in heaven and living by faith. Most make the worldling's mean choice with Ishmael because the world gives present wages, while only a few elevated, heroic spirits choose with Isaac to wait for Christ's reward in another life. God worked for Isaac when he did not contend for his rights but committed his cause to God.