Isaac was forty when God blessed him with Rebekah as a wife. Likely remembering his own heritage, he prayed on behalf of his wife, who was childless, and God answered his prayer. Isaac prayed for twenty years (26b)! Let’s learn patient, long-term prayer as we intercede for others.

Rebekah, suffering in pregnancy, engages in spiritual dialogue with God (22). God reveals to her his plan for her twin sons: they will separate into two nations, with the older serving the younger (23). Before they were born God had chosen Jacob as the spiritual heir (Ro 9:10-12). From their birth into young adulthood, the characters of these two boys are revealed: Esau, the oldest, is hairy and physical, a man ruled by his stomach. Jacob, the younger, is a devious and ambitious home body, who manipulates his brother to receive the birthright. Both have character flaws. Instead of praying and talking together about their boys, Isaac and Rebekah played favorites (28). This will have long term implications for their family.

As we pray for our children, grandchildren, and Bible students to know and carry out God’s plan for their lives, it will require both struggle with God in prayer and struggle together in community.
Application: Father, help me to pray and struggle with you and work together with others to raise disciples in my family and in your world.
One Word: Find prayer partners for disciple raising