Les Tripp
Now there was a famine in the land, besides the former famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went to Gerar to Abimelech king of the Philistines. And the Lord appeared to him and said, “Do not go down to Egypt; dwell in the land of which I shall tell you. Sojourn in this land, and I will be with you and will bless you, . . . And in your offspring all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, . . . (Genesis 26:1-5)
Famine: The opening verse sets the famine and people apart from those in chapters 12 and 20. Isaac moved to Gerar because of the famine and perhaps was considering going further until the Lord instructed him not to go to Egypt. “Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help and rely on horses, who trust in chariots because they are many and in horsemen because they are very strong, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel or consult the Lord! (Isaiah 31:1)
Are we obedient even when God direction does not make sense?
The Promise: The Lord went on by extending to Isaac the promise he made to his father (22:16-8) that the nations would be blessed through his descendants on the condition of obedience. The Lord makes his promise to Isaac personal.
The promise of God’s blessing is to each person individually from generation to generation. It is the offer of salvation through Christ Jesus.
Fear: Abraham claimed Sarah to be his sister in Egypt and Gerar out of fear for his safety (chapters 12:10-12 and 20:1-18). Now Isaac feared for his life and claimed Rebekah as his sister at Gerar even though his presence was imposing. And as with Abraham, the ruse was discovered.
Fear is the father of bad decisions.
Conflict: As Isaac’s crops and flocks grew, the Philistines saw him as a threat and prevented him from drawing water from the wells his father’s servant had dug and quarreled with him over new wells. Perhaps these efforts were an attempt to discourage nomads. Isaac moved on and continued to dig wells until the opposition stopped.
When we face conflict, do we know when to stand and fight or when to move on?
Treaty: Again, as in chapter 20, Abimelech (his son or perhaps grandson) sought to make peace with Isaac like Abraham because he saw Isaac and his people as a threat. And Isaac’s servants found water.
Do we seek peace in our relationships?
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Bad Choices: Esau chose two women from the Hittites (Canaanites) to be his wives. Recall that Abraham was adamant that Isaac’s wife not come from the women of the region because of their ungodly influence (24:3). Esau’s choice brought bitterness to Isaac and Rebekah.
Our choices set the course for our future.