FEASTING IN TIMES OF FAMINE

In the Beginning  •  Sermon  •  Submitted   •  Presented
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Famine in the Land

We should not be surprised when trials come our way.
1 Peter 4:12 “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.”
Matthew 5:45 “so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”
John 16:33 “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.””
The Lord does not leave us alone or without direction in the days of trouble.
1. He equips and instructs us through His Word.
2 Timothy 3:16–17 “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
2. He gives us precious promises to anchor and sustain us.
Hebrews 6:19 “We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain,”
2 Corinthians 1:20 “For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.”
3. Above everything, He gives us the promise of His presence.
Hebrews 13:5–6 “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?””

Like Father, Like Son

Our lives have far-reaching impact, for good or for evil.
Isaac obeys the Lord by settling in Gerar.
Proverbs 20:7 “The righteous who walks in his integrity— blessed are his children after him!”
b. He gives into fear and lies about Rebekah.
1 Corinthians 15:33 “Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.””

Blessing and Strife

Even though there was a famine in the land, the Lord caused incredible blessing for Isaac.
Psalm 37:18–19 “The Lord knows the days of the blameless, and their heritage will remain forever; they are not put to shame in evil times; in the days of famine they have abundance.”
It shouldn’t surprise us when we are mistreated and persecuted.
It is a very serious threat when your wells are getting seized during a time of famine. The names that Isaac gives the wells are clues to how he was feeling in response to these hostile acts. Esek means strife or contend. Sitnah means opposition or hostility.
2 Timothy 3:12 “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,”
Isaac is dealing with some of the same problems that Abraham faced. Abraham also faced times of famine. Not only that, but during his life, men of Gerar seized his well. As a matter of fact, when Abimelech wanted to make a treaty with Abraham, Abraham reproved him over a well that had been seized by men of Gerar. He went so far as to give 7 ewe lambs as witness that the well of Beersheba belonged to him. The name Beersheba itself means well of the oath. In spite of threats and opposition, the Lord was with Abraham and blessed him. And now we see that it was in the midst of famine and persecution that the Lord blessed Isaac a hundredfold. Only the Lord can cause such blessing in the midst of a famine. And the Lord provided water for him when he found another well. He named it Rehoboth, which means room or open spaces. He praised the Lord for making room and provision for his family.
The Lord will always meet the needs of His people.
Psalm 37:25 “I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread.”
The Lord often uses times of adversity to bring about spiritual growth in His people and to multiply His church.

Fear Not

The Lord appeared to calm Isaac’s fears and to strengthen his faith.
How does the Lord calm Isaac and strengthen his faith? By reminding him of the Lord’s presence and promises.
See Psalm 27:1-3...
Romans 10:17 “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”
The Lord brought about peace between Isaac and Abimelech.
What was it that moved Abimelech to pursue peace? It was plain to them that the Lord was with Isaac.
Proverbs 21:1 “The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will.”
Proverbs 16:7 “When a man’s ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.”
If the Lord is on our side, we have no need to fear.
Romans 8:31 “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”
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