Abraham, a friend of God’s, a faithful steward, a good father, and a loving husband, died at the age of 175. His sons, Isaac and Ishmael buried him with Sarah, his first wife and the mother of the son of promise. Abraham had concubines, a second wife, and several other children, but it was Isaac and Ishmael, both leaders in their own rights, who took care of Abraham’s body. (Picture of the Cave of the Patriarchs).History is marked by the separation of these two sons and the differences between them. Perhaps the burial of Abraham was their last unified act. It was an act of honor, love, and respect---an act Abraham was well-deserving of. He made his mistakes, but it was his acts of obedience that made him the father of faith. We would do well to remember and follow after his role model as an obedient servant of God’s.
The final statement of this chapter is not a good reflection on the life of Ishmael: His descendants lived in hostility toward all their brothers.
No honor, love, and respect shown here. No role model of obedience and faithfulness to follow after. When bitterness settles deep in one’s heart, it affects how that person lives and what kind of heritage is passed on. It is much better to live in peace with all men, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14). Isaac’s wife Rebekah, like Sarah, was unable to have children until God intervened. Did God want to make sure He had their attention first? After all, Isaac was the son of a promise, and he was the recipient of Abraham’s blessings and promise of a multitude of descendants. We don’t always understand God’s timing, but I do think it includes giving us time to become totally focused on Him---to know His will, and to acknowledge God as sovereign. As long as we are self-sufficient, God will let us struggle on our own efforts. When we totally surrender to Him, then He can weave His pattern and will into our lives.
God answered Isaac’s prayer, and twin boys, Esau and Jacob, were born. It appears that Isaac and Rebekah played favorites with their sons. In so doing they set the stage for animosity between their two sons. While Esau was an outdoors man, Jacob liked staying close to home. He was somewhat cunning, planning ahead, while Esau lived for the moment. In Esau’s moment of hunger, he sold his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of stew. He gave up the rights of the first born for one simple meal. Meanwhile Jacob seized the opportunity to make a profit for himself. 
We can learn a lesson from this episode out of their lives. Esau acted on impulse, seeking instant gratification---food for his stomach. He gave no thought to the long term consequences of his "here and now" satisfaction. In the face of temptation there are pressured filled moments that scream out for all of our attention. Our perspective becomes distorted, and if we act on impulse we will no doubt regret the choices we make. It is better to wait, analyze the situation, count the cost, and proceed with caution in the face of any temptation that seeks instant gratification. "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." (Isaiah 40:31)
Teach me, Lord, to wait. Amen.
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