Genesis 25:21 Commentary and Bible Study

As with Abraham, so now with Isaac, an unexpected obstacle crops up. Sarah had been barren and now Rebekah suffers from the same condition, and yet the will of God was so clear and the promises of God could not be fulfilled unless Isaac and Rebekah had a child. So Isaac entreats the Lord for his wife, and he has to pray over a considerable period of time, not receiving an answer at first. It was the will of God that he should persevere in prayer so that his faith should be tested and exercised. God always intended to answer him but the delay taught him how great was his need and how only God could supply it. He learnt dependence on the Lord and submission to the Lord’s timetable. In this way the child that came from Isaac would also be a child of promise just as Isaac had been. When God finally answered their prayer, they would be clear that the child was given by the Lord. But it was not to be until twenty years after their marriage that the twins were born. This was a long period of silence in which they were forced to pray to God. Abraham, who was still alive at this time, surely he also joined Isaac in prayer. The Lord at last answered his prayer and Rebekah conceived. Yet there were to be more surprises for them before the children were born.