More Videos: http://c316.tv
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Calvary316
Twitter: https://twitter.com/calvary316
This Video: http://www.c316.tv/sermons/232
Podcast: https://itunes.apple.com/podcast/zach-adams/id331453358
Audio Download: http://zachadams.org/genesisofgrace/genesis25_1-23.mp3
Pastor Zach Adams: http://zachadams.org
Outlaw Radio: http://www.c316.tv/outlaw_radio
Our Website: http://calvary316.tv

Outline:

Context: It’s been a couple of years since Sarah has died and Isaac has recently married Rebekah. Abraham is an old man, but he’s still vibrant and very much alive.

Genesis 25:1-6, “Abraham again took a wife, and her name was Keturah. And she bore him (6 sons) Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. Jokshan begot Sheba and Dedan (2 grandsons). And the sons of Dedan (3 great-grandsons) were Asshurim, Letushim, and Leummim. And the sons of Midian (5 more grandsons) were Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abidah, and Eldaah. All these were the children of Keturah. And Abraham gave all that he had to Isaac. But Abraham gave gifts to the sons of the concubines which Abraham had; and while he was still living he sent them eastward, away from Isaac his son, to the country of the east.”

Abraham is 135 when he remarries Keturah and over the next 35 years his family multiplies filling his home. Note: There was nothing inherently wrong with Abraham remarrying. With Sarah deceased and Isaac and Rebekah starting their own family, you can understand why he’d want to finish out his years with a partner. “Keturah” literally means “incense.”

Additionally, it’s likely Moses finds it important to extend out parts of this new Abrahamic genealogy in part to explain the family connection the people of Israel had with these other nationalities, as well as the connection they had with the God of Abraham.

It’s interesting, but in Moses’ own story - upon fleeing Egypt and spending 40 years in the Sinai wilderness - he’d end up marrying a Midianite by the name Zipporah. As a matter of fact, Zipporah’s father Jethro is even described in Exodus 3:1 and Exodus 18 as being the “priest of Midian” and ends up offering a legitimate “burnt offering and sacrifice to God.”

Though Keturah would give Abraham six additional sons, there was no question in that home as to the supremacy of Isaac as being the promised son and only heir. We’re told before he died “Abraham gave gifts to the sons of the concubines” before “sending them eastward away from Isaac.” Though I’m sure Abraham loved these other sons as he had loved Ishmael before them, it was clear there was to be no rival to Isaac.

Note: This phrase “sons of the concubines” is misleading as it implies there were additional women aside from Keturah. First, “concubines” shouldn’t be translated into the plural. In the Hebrew you’ll find this word instead in the singular tense. Note: Consistent with Moses’ point as to the supremacy of Isaac, this word is used to differentiate Keturah from Sarah.

Genesis 25:7-11, “This is the sum of the years of Abraham’s life which he lived: one hundred and seventy-five years. Then Abraham breathed his last and died in a good old age, an old man and full of years, and was gathered to his people. And his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah, which is before Mamre, in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar the Hittite, the field which Abraham purchased from the sons of Heth. There Abraham was buried, and Sarah his wife. And it came to pass, after the death of Abraham, that God blessed his son Isaac. And Isaac dwelt at Beer Lahai Roi.”

Abraham, this man Scripture calls the “Father of our Faith” and is the only man referred to in the Bible as being the “friend of God” - a man who, in spite of the fact he failed more than he succeeded, was still considered “righteous” because he believed in God’s promised Savior - a man who received and enjoyed the incredible blessings of God not because he deserved them, but because of the simple fact God’s grace towards him always remained sufficient…

Read the Rest at: http://www.c316.tv/sermons/232