Genesis 25:1-11 In Christ, anyone can choose to receive the gift of righteousness
Genesis 25:1-11 In Christ, anyone can choose to receive the gift of righteousness
Now Abraham took another wife, whose name was Keturah. 2 She bore to him Zimran and Jokshan and Medan and Midian and Ishbak and Shuah. 3 Jokshan became the father of Sheba and Dedan. And the sons of Dedan were Asshurim and Letushim and Leummim. 4 The sons of Midian were Ephah and Epher and Hanoch and Abida and Eldaah. All these were the sons of Keturah. 5 Now Abraham gave all that he had to Isaac; 6 but to the sons of his concubines, Abraham gave gifts while he was still living, and sent them away from his son Isaac eastward, to the land of the east.
7 These are all the years of Abraham’s life that he lived, one hundred and seventy-five years. 8 Abraham breathed his last and died in a ripe old age, an old man and satisfied with life; and he was gathered to his people. 9 Then his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar the Hittite, facing Mamre, 10 the field which Abraham purchased from the sons of Heth; there Abraham was buried with Sarah his wife. 11 It came about after the death of Abraham, that God blessed his son Isaac; and Isaac lived by Beer-lahai-roi.
Background
In conclusion of Abraham’s story, the final details of his descendants are listed. Abraham gives Isaac everything as opposed to “gifts” to the rest of his sons. Isaac is given special treatment because he is Abraham’s offspring of promise, the heir of righteousness. In today’s devotion, we learn that God no longer choose and consider some as righteous, as offsprings of promise while rejecting the others. For all are offered the gift of righteousness because of Christ’s sacrifice. To acquire divine righteousness, one only has to make Christ the Lord and follow His ways all the days of His life.
Observation
Now Abraham took another wife, whose name was Keturah
Verses 1 to 4 present the family tree of Abraham and Keturah (see below image). Only Isaac is the supernatural offspring of promise, and the rest are natural offsprings. “Now Abraham took another wife” may allude to Abraham taking Keturah as wife only after Sarah died and Isaac married. However, Genesis is not to be read in strict sequential manner, otherwise the notice of Abraham’s death (25:5-6) should have been placed after the birth of Jacob and Esau (25:19-26). Nevertheless, given what we know, it is quite impossible to determine when Abraham actually married Keturah.
What is worthy of mention among the sons of Keturah is Midian whose descendants are the Midianites. They are tribes who inhabit the deserts surrounding Israel. The Midianites ally with the Moabites to harass Israel during the time of Gideon.
Now Abraham gave all that he had to Isaac; but to the sons of his concubines, Abraham gave gifts
Before Abraham’s death, he distributes his estate among his sons. Abraham gives “all that he had” to Isaac making him the indisputable heir among all the sons. The “gifts” as opposed to “all that he had” that Abraham presented to the sons of his concubines is done purely out of good will. Here, Abraham seems to practice favouritism, for he does not distribute his estate equally among all his sons, something that the world frowns upon as being biased and unfair.
It came about after the death of Abraham, that God blessed his son Isaac
The age (175) when Abraham dies means that he has lived about one hundred years in Canaan. The estranged brothers: Isaac and Ishmael reunite to bury their father at the cave of Macpelah. “God blessed his son Isaac” at the close of this section keeps the reader looking forward to the next major section of Genesis. It also reinforces the fact that the way God confers blessings may not seem equitable (in the eyes of the world). Nevertheless, God is just and righteous, and His ways are perfect. Moses meditates on the ways of God and sings,
“For I proclaim the name of the Lord;
Ascribe greatness to our God!
“The Rock! His work is perfect,
For all His ways are just;
A God of faithfulness and without injustice,
Righteous and upright is He. Deuteronomy 32:3-4
Truth
Divine righteousness should be one’s focus, not material blessing
Isaac inherits divine righteousness while the other sons are given gifts and material blessing. Isaac inherits the righteousness that brings Abraham untold riches and blessing. The psalmist says concerning the destiny of the righteous,
His descendants will be mighty on earth;
The generation of the upright will be blessed.
Wealth and riches are in his house,
And his righteousness endures forever. Psalm 112:2-3
Why should one focus on acquiring divine righteousness instead of material wealth? Because with divine righteousness God ensures perpetual prosperity and blessedness. Material wealth is expendable, once it is used up, man goes hungry again. Material wealth and physical resources do not give the possessor the assurance of safety, he constantly fears that his machinery may fail. But God never fails to protect and provide for the righteous. The psalmist says,
Now I know that the Lord saves His anointed;
He will answer him from His holy heaven
With the saving strength of His right hand.
Some boast in chariots and some in horses,
But we will boast in the name of the Lord, our God. Psalm 20:6-7
How can we acquire divine righteousness? By being continually mindful of the covenant that we have made with God through the blood of Christ. The covenant assures the believer of God’s constant providence and protection. Here, God continually imparts His grace, wisdom and power enabling us to do His will. The covenant also reminds the believer to fear God and obey His instructions all the days of his life. As the believer focuses on acquiring divine righteousness, God grants him greater resources and authority to establish God’s kingdom on earth.
In Christ, we are chosen and given the favour of Abraham
The God of the Old Testament chooses His heirs unilaterally and marks them as righteous as He does for Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Even though Ishmael and Esau seek to acquire the blessing with tears, they are summarily rejected.
In the New Testament, God offers the gift of divine righteousness to all. Those who repent by turning from their own ways to acknowledge God as Lord of their lives will be called righteous. Many in the Old Testament are not offered the gift of righteousness because of the curse that descends from Adam. But Christ has removed that curse through His sacrifice. The apostle Paul says,
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”— in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Galatians 3:13-14
Christ’s forgiveness has opened the door of righteousness to all humanity. No longer will God choose and consider some as righteous while rejecting the others. In the New Testament, one only has to enter the door of righteousness by making Christ the Lord and to follow Him all the days of His life.
How then do we know that we have been granted the gift of divine righteousness? When we manifest the fruit of the Spirit in our lives; to forgive those who has hurt us, to care for them, and to pray that God may bless them. And to put God’s agenda as more important than our own agenda. “In Christ” carries three connotations:
a. In Christ’s forgiveness, the door of righteousness is opened to me. The bondage and the curse of sin is broken through His sacrifice.
b. In Christ’s way of life, I am given a concrete model through which I may live out the righteousness within me.
c. In Christ’s indwelling Spirit and companionship, I am no longer alone in my journey. For the Spirit becomes the perpetual source of wisdom, faith and courage.
In order for the believer to acquire Abraham’s blessing and to inherit God’s kingdom, he has to remain in Christ all the days of his life.
Application
Are you fearful that God may not have chosen to bless and prosper you? Hence, you are constantly worrying and praying about your future. Focus on acquiring divine righteousness through Christ by doing the following:
a. Use the name of Jesus to destroy the devil’s stronghold in your life: sickness, constant hindrances at work, and fear.
b. Read the word daily and emulate Christ in His manner of living.
c. Remain in the communion of the Spirit and be sensitive to His promptings.
Dear Lord, thank you for choosing to consider me as righteous. I commit myself to read the word and to walk in the ways of Christ. Sanctify me continually and bless me with greater resources so that I may extend your kingdom to the ends of the earth. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.