I have a question about today's reading from Genesis: why did Abraham take another wife after Sarah died? Particularly as one of the sons was Midian whose offspring, the Midianites, later in the history of the Israelites was an enemy to Israel? There is no word from God to tell him to take another wife. This is a decision made 'in the flesh' without asking God.

The sons of Isaac and Rebekah are named after characteristics at their birth - Esau is called 'Red' because he 'cometh out all red like a hairy coat' and Jacob 'grabber' because 'his hand is taking hold on Esau's heel.'

Life after the death of Sarah appears to have become more worldly.

And conflicts arise: between Jacob and Esau, and also a separation between the favour felt by Isaac and Rebekah towards their two sons - 'Isaac loveth Esau for his hunting [is] in his mouth and Rebekah is loving Jacob'. No reason is given for Rebekah's love for Jacob.

Isaac and Esau both have such a liking for food that it impacts their emotions and decisions.

Isaac loves Esau because of the food he brings from his hunting.

In Esau's case, hunger controls his decision to trade his birthright for a bowl of lentil soup. He misjudges weariness for starvation (the Bible says he is 'weary' not even that he is 'hungry'), a colossal failure of knowledge and judgement, and he makes a terrible judgement and decision as a result: 'Lo, I am going to die and what is this to me - birthright?'

Beware what controls our decisions!

Notice though that Rebekah is different: she knows God and is in relationship with Him, knowing she can ask him to explain what is happening to her: why is there was such a struggle in her womb? God is known to her.

In life for Christians there is always God who is willing to help us, to teach us, to show us the right way to go, the right decision to make.

I am moved by Isaac being a man of peace. See how Isaac dealt with the conflict over the wells which his servants opened and which the shepherds of Gerar strived over 'The water is ours'.

He doesn't fight back or resist but moves on and finally when they dig a well, it isn't fought over.

The world he lives in is changing from the time of Abraham. There is now envy and fear of threat felt by the ruler, Abimelech, and his servants, the Philistines, an envy and fear which we see repeated with the children of Israel in Egypt under the new Pharoah who had not known Joseph.

After the death of Abraham, the Philistines had filled the wells that he had dug with 'dust'. Abimelech commanded Isaac to 'Go from us, for thou has become much mightier than we'.

Isaac's response is to go as commanded, not to seek to argue or reason or negotiate, just to go.

God's people are to be a people of peace and a source of blessing to others. God appears to Isaac and tells him not to be afraid for He is with him, "and have blessed thee and have multiplied thy seed, because of Abraham my servant"

This appearance is timely for Abimelech comes to see him. Abimelech's later response to the blessing he could see was upon Isaac, was to seek a treaty with him, an oath between them that Isaac would not harm Abimelech or his people.

Thus in time, God brings about a peace between them.