Genesis 25:1-11

It is generally recognized that Genesis 25:1-11 provides a transition from the Abraham story to the Isaac story. This is correct but one should also not the continuity of the Abrahamic Covenant and its promises in these verses. Here are a few points of continuity.

• Like his father Abraham (Gen 12:1-3), Isaac is given the promise and the blessing unconditionally (vv. 5, 11).
• Keturah and her children demonstrate the Abrahamic promises in two ways (distinction from the main line of promise of Isaac and yet receive collateral blessing*).
• Isaac is linked to the burial cave in Machpelah (vv. 9-10).
• The fact that Abraham “died in a good old age, an old man and full of years” testify to God’s blessing (vv. 7-8).
• Isaac’s presence underscores the continuity of the promises.
• Isaac’s settling at Beer-lahai-roi suggests that Isaac not Ishmael is the heir of the promise (v. 11, cf. Gen 16:13-15).

* By collateral blessings I mean those Abrahamic blessings that fall on those not in the main line of the Abrahamic promises but who are blessed nonetheless due to their proximity to Abraham.