The Solution Was Provided Before There Was a Problem

The book of Genesis is filled with some of the most exciting stories in the Bible. It includes Abraham’s calling, Abraham having lunch with G-D, Lot’s capture and rescue, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Abraham’s offering of Isaac, Elizezer’s trip to find a bride for Isaac, Isaac’s wedding, and the deaths of both Abraham and Sarah. The book continues as we read about the birth of Isaac and Rebekah’s twin sons Esau and Jacob. The family's narrative continues as we learn of the growing dysfunction within Isaac’s family, as the seeds of deception root their way throughout the family.  

These stories that introduce us to the patriarchs are filled with such compelling drama that as we read from one to the next, we often miss extremely important passages because they are overshadowed by what seem to be larger and more important events. One such overlooked, but extremely powerful, passage is found in between the death of Abraham and the birth of Esau and Jacob. It’s a single verse in the text that we read too often and move on from without considering just how significant it is. This verse is found in Genesis 25:21:

Isaac prayed to Adonai on behalf of his wife because she was barren. Adonai answered his plea and his wife Rebekah became pregnant.

You may read those words and wonder what is so significant about this statement in the text, especially in light of all the larger than life events that we read about in Genesis. The truth is that these few words may teach us more about how we should live as the people of G-D than anything that has happened up to this point in the Bible. This is the first time we read in the Bible of someone praying to G-D about someone else. Now you may be reading this and saying, “What about all of the times like when G-D spoke to Noah or when G-D spoke to Abraham?” If you read a little closer, you will find that in each of those cases and others G-D initiated the conversation. G-D spoke to Noah, G-D visited Abraham, etc. In this case Isaac takes the initiative to pray or speak to G-D. 

The very first prayer we read in the Bible was a husband praying for his wife because her heart was hurting. Just think about that for a moment. Isaac didn’t pray for riches. He didn’t pray for victory over an enemy. He didn’t pray for a long life. No, the very first prayer initiated by a person in the Bible wasn’t even for himself, but for his wife, the woman he loved. 

There are so many examples in the Bible where a man and a woman have a child and the text makes a simple statement as we find in Genesis 4 saying Eve became pregnant with Cain, and then just says she gave birth again to Able. So G-D could have chosen to say Rebekah was barren for many years until she had twin sons, Esau and Jacob. But instead, G-D chose to include this amazing statement about Isaac’s prayer for Rebekah. We also must recognize that because this prayer was included, then it must have been included for our benefit. We know that 2 Timothy 3:16 says “All Scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for restoration, and for training in righteousness…”

So it stands to reason that if this verse was included, it was included for teaching, for reproof, for restoration and for training in righteousness. Knowing that is true, we should ask ourselves: Are we praying for the hurt hearts of those we love, regardless of what the cause of the hurt was or is? After all, the very first recorded prayer was when someone prayed specifically for someone they loved because their heart was hurt. I believe that this Biblical example of prayer was provided to teach us, reprove us, restore us, and train us in righteousness. 

Let’s look a little closer into this and why it would be included where it is in the Bible. This verse, teaching us to pray for those we love, is included just before we read about what happens within Isaac’s family. Just think about all of the heartache that would take place in Isaac’s family. Just a few examples being the following: Isaac and Rebekah choosing which child they preferred. Imagine the hurt this caused. Jacob manipulates Esau into relinquishing his birthright, more hurt. Rebekah helped Jacob deceive Isaac, even more hurt. Esau threatens to kill his brother as a result and Jacob runs away, even more hurt. Each one of these events clearly would cause a hurting heart to one or all of those involved. 

The truth is, if those involved in each of these actions including Isaac himself would have followed the example of Isaac and prayed for the hearts of those who were part of their family, none of these events would have happened. If the parents were praying for their children, they would not have chosen a preferred child. If Jacob would have prayed for Esau, instead of preying on Esau. If Rebekah would have prayed for Isaac to listen to G-D's voice, instead of teaching Jacob how to lie. In each case, praying for someone they loved would have kept the family from being broken and divided.

So this prayer by Isaac teaches us to pray for those we love. It also brings correction to use in case we are not yet praying for those we should be praying for. But Scripture isn’t just for reproof, it is also for restoration after hearts are broken. I believe this verse is purposely placed where it was in the text so that not only would we learn to pray for our loved ones before their hearts are broken, but also to teach us that if we truly begin to pray for those whose hearts are hurting, especially if we were part of the cause, that our prayers can help bring restoration. 

I believe that G-D purposely included this very first prayer written in the Bible because He knew that people, especially family members, would get hurt hearts and He wanted the foundation of prayer to be praying for those we love. It also should not be missed that when Isaac prayed for Rebekah, G-D answered the prayer.