CRITICAL NOTES.—
Genesis 26:34. The daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Bashemath, the daughter of Elon the Hittite.] These were the children of Heth, with whom Abraham dealt in the purchase of Machpelah.—
Genesis 26:35. Grief of mind.] “Greek, Were contentious with. Chald. Were rebellious and stubborn against. Jer. Targ. They served God with a strange service—were idolaters. Heb. They were a bitterness of spirit to Isaac and to Rebekah—a standing grief, not only because of their heathen descent, but also because of their uncongenial tempers. They brought only trouble into the family.” (Jacobus.)
MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.— Genesis 26:34-35
ESAU’S MARRIAGE
I. It was in accordance with his character. The manner in which he disposed of his birthright showed a man prodigal and careless of consequences. He carried this disposition with him thoughout life, and his marriage was no exception to the general course of his conduct. Given certain dispositions and propensities, and answering circumstances, and a man’s actions may be predicted with tolerable certainty. Esau in the matter of his marriage did what we might naturally expect such a man to do.
II. It was irreligious.
1. It was against the interests of the Church of God. He married women who belonged to a heathen nation,—the Hittites whom God had cursed, and who were steeped in crime and corruption. This was an unholy alliance, most certain to lower the tone of his own character and to injure the prospects of the Church of God. As a fact of history he was the father of a nation who through long centuries were the perpetual enemies of Israel.
2. It was a transgression of duty towards his parents. He was old enough to be free from the direct control of his parents—to act and choose for himself. But he ought not to have acted contrary to their wish, especially when that wish was reasonable and righteous. His conduct was a “grief of mind unto Isaac and to Rebekah.” It may truly be said, that one of the greatest griefs of this sad world is the grief caused by children to their parents.
SUGGESTIVE COMMENTS ON THE VERSES
Genesis 26:34-35. Esau had got acquainted with this tribe in his hunting expeditions. They belonged to a family gone in transgression and apostacy from God. The two wives chosen from such a stock were a source of great grief to the parents of Esau. The choice manifested his tolerance at least of the carnal, and his indifference to the spiritual.—(Murphy.)