twelve princes they are called, (v. 16.) heads of families, which, in process of time, became nations, distinct tribes, numerous, and very considerable. They peopled a very large continent that lay between Egypt and Assyria, called Arabia. The names of his twelve sons are recorded. Midian and Kedar we often read of in scripture. And some very good expositors, have taken notice of the signification of those three names which are put together, (v. 14.) as containing good advice to us all, Mishma, Dumah, and Massa, that is, hear, keep silence, and bear; we have them together in the same order. Jam. 1. 19, Be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath. The posterity of Ishmael had not only tents in the fields, wherein they grew rich in times of peace; but they had towns and castles, (v. 16.) wherein they fortified themselves in time of war. Now the number and strength of this family were the fruit of the promise made to Hagar concerning Ishmael, ch. 16. 10. and to Abraham, ch. 17. 20. and 21. 13. Note, Many that are strangers to the covenants of promise, yet are blessed with outward prosperity for the sake of their godly ancestors. Wealth and riches shall be in their house.
2. Concerning himself; here is an account of his age; he lived 137 years, (v. 17.) which is recorded, to show the efficacy of Abraham's prayer for him, ch. 17. 18. O that Ishmael might live before thee! Here is an account too of his death; he also was gathered to his people; but it is not said that he was full of days, though he lived to so great an age: he was not so weary of the world, nor so willing to leave it, as his good father was. Those words, he fell in the presence of all his brethren, whether they mean, as we take them, he died, or as others, his lot fell, are designed to show the fulfilling of that word to Hagar, ch. 16. 12, He shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren, that is, he shall flourish and be eminent among them, and shall hold his own to the last. Or, he died with his friends about him, which is comfortable.
19. And these are the generations of Isaac, Abraham's son : Abraham begat Isaac: 20. And Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah to wife, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Padan-aram, the sister to Laban the Syrian. 21. And Isaac entreated the Lord for his wife, because she was barren: and the Lord was entreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived. 22. And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus ? And she went to inquire of the Lord. 23. And the Lord said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger. 24. And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb. 25. And the first came out red, all over like an hairy garment; and they called his name Esau. 26. And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau's heel; and his name was called Jacob: and Isaac was threescore years old when she bare them. 27. And the boys grew: and Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field; and Jacob was a plain man, dwelling in tents. 28. And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison: but Rebekah loved Jacob.
We have here an account of the birth of Jacob and Esau, the twin sons of Isaac and Rebekah: their entrance into the world was (which is not usual) one of the most considerable parts of their story; nor is much related concerning Isaac, but what had reference to his father while he lived, and to his sons afterward. For Isaac seems not to have been a man of action, nor much tried, but to have spent his days in quietness and silence.
Now concerning Jacob and Esau we are told,
I. That they were prayed for; their parents, after they had been long childless, obtained them by prayer, v. 20, 21, Isaac was 40 years old when he was married; though he was an only son, and the person from whom the promised seed was to come, yet he made no haste to marry. He was 60 years old when his sons were born, (v. 26.) so that, after he was married, he had no child for 20 years. Note, Though the accomplishment of God's promise is always sure, yet it is often slow, and seems to be crossed and contradicted by Providence; that the faith of believers may be tried, their patience exercised, and mercies long waited for may be the more welcome when they come. While this mercy was delayed, Isaac did not approach to a handmaid's bed, as Abraham had done, and Jacob afterward; for he loved Rebekah, ch. 24. 67. But, 1. He prayed: he entreated the Lord for his wife; though God had promised to multiply his family, he prayed for it. For God's promises must not supersede, but encourage our prayers, and be improved as the ground of our faith. Though he had prayed for this mercy very often, and had continued his supplication many years, and it was not granted, yet he did not leave off praying for it: for men ought always to pray, and not to faint, (Luke 18. 1.) to pray without ceasing, and knock till the door be opened. He prayed for his wife; some read it, with his wife. Note, Husbands and wives should pray together, which is intimated in the apostle's caution, that their prayers be not hindered, 1 Pet. 3. 7. The Jews have a tradition, that Isaac, at length, took his wife with him to Mount Moriah, where God had promised that he would multiply Abraham's seed, ch. 22. 17, and there in his prayer with her, and for her, pleaded the promise made in that very place. 2. God heard his prayer, and was entreated of him. Note, Children are the gift of God. Those that continue instant in prayer, as Isaac did, shall find at last that they did not seek in vain, Isa. 45. 19.
II. That they were prophesied of before they were born; and great mysteries were wrapt up in the prophecies which went before of them, v. 22, 23. Long had Isaac prayed for a son; and now his wife is with child of two, to recompense him for his long waiting. Thus God often outdoes our prayers, and gives more than we are able to ask or think. Now Rebekah being with child of these two sons, observe here,
1. How she was perplexed in her mind concerning her present case: the children struggled together within her. The commotion she felt, was altogether extraordinary, and made her very uneasy; whether she was apprehensive that the birth would be her death, or that she was weary of the intestine tumult, or that she suspected it to be an ill omen, it seems she was ready to wish that either she had not been with child, or that she might die immediately, and not bring forth such a struggling brood. If it be so, or, since it is so, Why am I
