Abraham separates his offspring. Gifts are given to them, but they are sent away. It is Isaac who inherits all that he has, which includes God’s promised land.

Abraham remarries. One of his new children is Midian. The Midianites will come into the story later when we get to Moses. We also learn that Ishmael had twelve sons that became twelve tribes, just like what happened with Israel. They are generally considered to be the people we would now call Arabs. Ishmaelites will come into the story when we get to Joseph.

Again, we see the division. There is a separation.

Isaac and Rebekah are married now and have no children. Isaac prays for children and doesn’t have to wait a long time like his father. He receives twins. Rebekah is wondering what’s happening inside of her, and the Lord tells her there are two nations in her and that the older will serve the younger.

Rebekah holds onto this word from the Lord and connects her heart with the younger, Jacob. Her husband has the oldest son as his favorite, Esau.

Another common thread in God’s story is His taking the youngest, the smallest, and turning them into the greatest. He shows His power in weakness. His purposes aren’t about glorifying people and abilities. He brings glory to Himself.

Again, we come to a part of the story where God sets up a division. We choose Him, but He chose us first. Both sons will be blessed and become many people, but one inherits the promise of God, the promise of the land, but also the promise to be a blessing to the nations. That blessing will come to fulfillment when a descendant of Jacob, Isaac, and Abraham dies on a cross.