Two Nations in One Womb

Two-Nations-in-One-Womb.mp3

Copied from the sermon notes of Pastor Don Elmore

April 24, 2016

Scripture Reading:  Genesis 25:21-23

It had been twenty years since Isaac and Rebekah had been married.  And they had no children.  So, Isaac, the husband, went to his covenant God and asked Him to help his wife get pregnant.  Isaac was the only covenant child of his father, Abraham, so he had to have children, but he didn’t.  How could Abraham become the father of many nations if his one covenant son had no children?  God did answer his prayers; in fact, Rebekah became pregnant with twins. 

But Isaac’s wife had a problem with her pregnancy.  It seemed like the two future children in her womb were fighting.   So, she went to her covenant God and asked Him about this situation.  God’s reply was:

  • She was carrying in her womb two boys who would become two nations.
  • The descendants of these two nations would become two different manner of people.
  • One nation would be stronger than the other one.
  • The first born would serve the second born.

The first born was named Esau while the younger son was Jacob.  So, Esau would serve Jacob.  Both nations would have to be in existence for one to serve the other!

What nation did the descendants of these two twin boys become?  How different were the mannerism of these two nations?  And did Isaac and Rebekah love both twin boys equally?  The Bible answers that politically correct question with an absolute no!  For “…Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison:  but Rebekah loved Jacob” (Genesis 25:28).  It was a split household.