Genesis 26

Introduction: Last week we looked at the life of Abraham and how he finished his race strong.

1. (V1) Issac responds to the famine by going down to Egypt

a) Famine in the land

Also a famine in the land and Abraham went down to Egypt, just like dad in Gen 12.

Famine in the land is a major problem, it would be like our gas stations shut down, the groceries store are closed, the world shuts down

Isaac began to go south towards Egypt, as Abram did in famine (Genesis 12:10). It seems that Isaac thought to travel along the famous road between Egypt and Canaan that went along the Mediterranean Sea.

Gerar was the same place where Isaac’s father Abraham met another Abimelech and almost compromised his wife (Genesis 20:1-18). A similar story, comparable in the actions of God and men, would play out with Abraham’s son.

The ruler of Gerar was called Abimelech as a title, not as a personal name.

1.1 (V2-5) God proclaims the covenant to Isaac.

a) The Lord appeared

This manifestation of the Lord may have been in a human appearance as the Lord had appeared to Abraham (Genesis 18:1).

Abraham understood the importance of Isaac remaining in Canaan. He commanded his servant to not allow Isaac to leave the land in pursuit of a wife (Genesis 24:4-8).

b)  I will perform the oath which I swore to Abraham your father: 

 A land (all these lands).

A nation (your descendants multiply as the stars of heaven).

A blessing (in your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed).

The promises of the Abrahamic Covenant was passed from Abraham to Issac and would eventually be passed to Jacob

Because Abraham was faithful and obeyed my voice

The lord appeared to Issac, gave him promises

You would think he would be full of faith

2. (V6-7) Fearing for his life, Isaac claims Rebekah is his sister.

a) So Isaac dwelt in Gerar:

Isaac obeyed God’s warning and stayed in the land; yet he lived among the people in Canaan

Application:

Armed with the promises of God and on a spiritual high the trial would come to test his obedience

We can make the mistake of thinking because I am obeying, life should come easy

Issac’s circumstances:

Living in a famine

Fearful that he would be killed and his wife taken

Proverbs 29:25 “The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.”

Proverbs 3:5–6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”

Instead of trusting in God to protect him, he schemed his way out of the test

Faith is the opposite of scheming

He failed to trust God and then told a lie

2.1 (V8) Isaac is discovered as he shows affection to Rebekah

a) When they had been there for a long time

Isaac was in Gerar for an extended period, and Rebekah had not been taken.

This was one way that God protected Isaac, even as Isaac depended more on his ability to deceive than in God

b) The endearment was understood to be appropriate for a wife, not for a sister.

Issac was caught caressing Rebecca

2.2 (V9-11) Isaac is rebuked by a pagan king, even as his father was.

a) Quite obviously she is your wife:

What Isaac thought could be hidden was obvious to others.

This is often the case with sin among God’s people.

People are often watching us, do they really believe what they they proclaim?

b) What have you done to us?

The ruler of Gerar rebuked Isaac for his deception.

2.3 (V12-14) Isaac becomes wealthy, as Abraham was before him.

The same soil, sunshine, yet Issac prospered

It was the Lord’s blessing

2.4 (15-17) Isaac leaves Gerar.

a) Wells were valuable

Wells were valuable, and they were difficult and expensive to dig.

It was a significant attack to destroy someone’s wells.

This shows how strong the envy of the Philistines was towards Isaac.

b) Issac didn’t confront the situation, he took the path of least resistance

Romans 12:18 “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.”

2.5 (V18-19) Isaac digs the wells of Abraham

a) Issac returned to the same resources of his father

Isaac returned to the same resources that had sustained his father and all he possessed (Genesis 21:25-31). It took faith, work, and commitment to dig the wells again, but God provided through Isaac’s diligence.

2.6 (V20-23) Three wells and their names.

a. He called the name of the well Esek:

The first well was named contention (Esek) because it made others jealous. It seems that though Isaac called these wells by the names Abraham had previously given (Genesis 26:18), he also named them in consideration of his present circumstances.

b. He called its name Sitnah:

The second well was named opposition (Sitnah) for the same reason.

c. He called its name Rehoboth:

The third well was named roominess (Rehoboth) because it was far enough away to not be a problem. Isaac saw this as a testimony to God’s faithfulness and blessing (now the Lord has made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land).

3. (V24-25) God again confirms His promise to Isaac for Abraham’s sake. a) For My servant Abraham’s sake:

God kept His covenant with Isaac for Abraham’s sake.

After the same pattern, God keeps His covenant with believers under the new covenant for the sake of Jesus Christ.

 Isaac walked in the same paths as his father Abraham.

Altars and tents marked Abraham’s life, demonstrating a life of worship and trust.

Isaac lived that, calling on the name of the Lord, and enjoyed the additional blessing of another well.

Continue blessing of God providing another well

3.1 (26-31) The natives make peace with Isaac because the Lord is with him, just as happened with Abraham

a) Issac made them a feast

He sought to keep the peace

He left his side of the bridge open

4. (V34-35) Esau marries, becoming a grief to his parents

Esau, the son of Isaac and twin brother of Jacob, went against the pattern established by Abraham, that his descendants should not marry the women of Canaan (Genesis 24:3-4)

This was evidence of Esau’s character as a fornicator and profane person 

Hebrews 12:16 “lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright.”