19 And these 'are' births of Isaac, Abraham's son: Abraham hath begotten Isaac; 20 and Isaac is a son of forty years in his taking Rebekah, daughter of Bethuel the Aramaean, from Padan-Aram, sister of Laban the Aramaean, to him for a wife. 21 And Isaac maketh entreaty to Jehovah before his wife, for she 'is' barren: and Jehovah is entreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceiveth, 22 and the children struggle together within her, and she saith, 'If 'it is' right—why 'am' I thus?' and she goeth to seek Jehovah. 23 And Jehovah saith to her, 'Two nations 'are' in thy womb, and two peoples from thy bowels are parted; and the 'one' people than the 'other' people is stronger; and the elder doth serve the younger.' 24 And her days to bear are fulfilled, and lo, twins 'are' in her womb; 25 and the first cometh out all red as a hairy robe, and they call his name Esau; 26 and afterwards hath his brother come out, and his hand is taking hold on Esau's heel, and one calleth his name Jacob; and Isaac 'is' a son of sixty years in her bearing them.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 25:19-26
Commentary on Genesis 25:19-26
(Read Genesis 25:19-26)
Isaac seems not to have been much tried, but to have spent his days in quietness. Jacob and Esau were prayed for; their parents, after being long childless, obtained them by prayer. The fulfilment of God's promise is always sure, yet it is often slow. The faith of believers is tried, their patience exercised, and mercies long waited for are more welcome when they come. Isaac and Rebekah kept in view the promise of all nations being blessed in their posterity, therefore were not only desirous of children, but anxious concerning every thing which seemed to mark their future character. In all our doubts we should inquire of the Lord by prayer. In many of our conflicts with sin and temptation, we may adopt Rebekah's words, "If it be so, why am I thus?" If a child of God, why so careless or carnal? If not a child of God, why so afraid of, or so burdened with sin?