Genesis 25:1 records almost incidentally the remarriage of Abraham after the death of Sarah and then the death of Abraham himself at the age of 175 years, “an old man, satisfied with life,” (25:1-8).  Then the genealogy of Isaac and Ishmael are mentioned.   The genealogy of Ishmael ends with, “they settled….east of Egypt….in defiance of all his relatives”, v18. 

Actions grow out of values.  The defiance and conflict in Ishmael’s family is mirrored in Isaac’s sons, Jacob and Esau.  Esau, the oldest, owns the birthright that Jacob coveted.  Jacob was able to cheat him and get possession of the birthright only because “Esau despised his birthright,” (v34).  Being a believer does not make us immune to the sins of jealousy, resentment and coveting or of holding wrong values.  We must be willing for the Holy Spirit to discipline and cleanse us.  Our example must be Jesus, not Abraham, Jacob or anyone else.