The Life of Isaac: A Life that Counts

Genesis 26:1-33 The Life of Isaac (A Life that Counts) Introduction: As I said last week Genesis 25:19-Genesis 37:1 record for us the life of Isaac. Yet although these chapters record the life of Isaac they focus much, if not all, of their attention on Jacob. Chapter 26 is really the only chapter within these 12 chapters that focuses all of its attention on Isaac. Chapter 26 is important to the overall theme of Genesis for it clearly shows that God has passed the blessing of Abraham onto Isaac. Through Isaac and on through jacob God will bring his savior into the world who will crush the head of the serpent and restore God’s good creation. Because of Isaac’s minor role it is really easy to pass over his life and see it as insignificant for he seems to be nothing more than a bridge between the great stories of Abraham and Jacob. Yet although Isaac’s life is insignificant in some sense it is also very significant in other ways. I think it is very significant for those of us who are very normal/ common people. What do I mean? Isaac is a great picture of the average Christian; a life of trials and joys. Isaac's is not a story of pioneering, or battles, or running for his life or the meeting with great powerful angels or battles with wicked kings. Isaac's story is a simple story; He simply stays the course. Isaac is a man who simply dwells in the promised land, as a pilgrim, a sojourner for his whole life. He doesn't accomplish any great tasks that we know of; he simply lives a continual life of faith in the most ordinary circumstances. But It took continuous faith to remain in the land as a stranger and often an unwanted stranger, and also to remain in a land that constantly failed to meet provision. But his faith proves him a true son of the promise! Isaac’s life, though not as dramatic and full as Jacob, David, or Paul, is still a life that counts. It definitely counted to God, for God identifies himself over and over again as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 1. Trial: A Lack of Provision. a. The first thing we see in the so ordinary life of Isaac is that there is a famine in the land in which he dwells - the Promise Land, fails to meet his and his family’s needs. b. Isaac is challenged by a lack of provision. c. I think trials have a way of challenging us to wonder, is God really with me? Because if he was my life wouldn’t look like it does. d. Every person in this world wi 2. Joy: A Word and Direction from the Lord. a. Isaac trial is quickly met by a vision from the Lord. The Lord tells Isaac to remain in the land; He promises Isaac his presence and the blessings that he had promised to his father Abraham. b. Now God doesn’t come on the scene and say don’t worry about a thing Isaac, you don’t have to work or sweat you just relax and I’ll take care of it. God simply tells him I do not want you to go down to egypt; I want you to stay in the land, and dwell where I tell you. c. 3. Trial: Fear for his Life. a. Isaac is challenged with fear: the men of the land might take his wife and kill him, therefore he lies. b. The different ways we are challenged by fear. 4. Joy: Evidence of Blessing from the Lord. a. Isaac sowed in the land and reaped that same year a hundredfold. 5. Trial: Experiencing rejection because of God’s favor. a. The philistines saw the blessing of God on Isaac and were jealous so they filled up all the wells that Abraham had dug, cutting Isaac off from any water supply for his crop. b. Then Abimelech expels Isaac because of his peoples jealousy because of God’s favor on Isaac. c. Isaac is experiencing what every will experience: rejection and persecution. i. Paul said, “ Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” - 2 Timothy 3:12 ii. Persecution is just a normal part of the christian experience. Though this isn’t usually the way we see it. 6. Trial: wandering - looking for provision. a. Every Christian is a pilgrim, a sojourner. A pilgrim is someone who lives in one place while being a citizen of another country. 7. Joy: Provision again - a. Rehoboth - “For now the Lord has made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the Land.” 8. Joy: Peace made with former enemies and provision from the Land. Conclusion: It is very easy to pass off our lives as small and insignificant. 1. Maybe some of you as mothers got married young had kids quickly and now you’ve settled into your life and you think is this it? a. Your life seems so small and insignificant in some ways. b. Never discount the small or the simple life. i. It was through their mothers influence and faithfulness that many great men were brought to faith in Jesus Christ; men who went on to do great things for God. 1. King David a. Twice in the Psalms does David refer to himself as the son of the Lord’s handmaiden. b. It seems that it was david’s mother that taught him the things of God. 2. Timothy a. Paul says concerning Timothy, “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” b. I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. Conclusion #2: In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world John 16:33 My LORD's words are true as to the tribulation. I have my share of it beyond all doubt. The flail is not hung up out of the way, nor can I hope that it will be laid aside so long as I lie upon the threshing floor. How can I look to be at home in the enemy's country, joyful while in exile, or comfortable in a wilderness? This is not my rest. This is the place of the furnace, and the forge, and the hammer. My experience tallies with my LORD's words. I note how He bids me "be of good cheer." Alas! I am far too apt to be downcast. My spirit soon sinks when I am sorely tried. But I must not give way to this feeling. When my LORD bids me cheer up I must not dare to be cast down. What is the argument which He uses to encourage me? Why, it is His own victory. He says, "I have overcome the world." His battle was much more severe than mine. I have not yet resisted unto blood. Why do I despair of overcoming? See, my soul, the enemy has been once overcome. I fight with a beaten foe. O world, Jesus has already vanquished thee; and in me, by His grace, He will overcome thee again. Therefore am I of good cheer and sing unto my conquering LORD. Conclusion #3: Why are these blessings happening to Isaac? 1. We are told twice in the text that it is because of Abraham his father. 2. It is because and only because of God’s covenant with Abraham that Isaac has God’s presence, God’s blessing for himself and for others and a claim on the land. 3. So also it is only because of Jesus and God’s covenant with him that we receive the blessings of God: God’s presence, God’s blessing (justification/regeneration/sanctification/glorification) a blessing to others, and finally a share in the new heavens and the new earth. 4.