sf963 - Like Father Like Son (Genesis 26)
Genesis 26; Exodus 34:6-7
Introduction
Very little is recorded in the Bible about Isaac. In fact there are 12 chapters written about Abraham and a similar number written about Jacob, but only one concerning the life of Isaac.
Yet in this relatively short record we learn many things concerning man and God’s grace.
1A. The Record of Isaac’s Life
1B. Isaac’s walk (26:1-5)
Isaac faced a difficult problem (26:1)
Isaac received a divine prohibition (26:2)
God gives him a definite promise (26:3-5)
2B. Isaac’s wife (26:6-11)
Isaac lies about Rebekah (26:6-7)
Isaac’s lie is revealed (26:8-11)
Ø His relationship with Rebekah is uncovered (26:8-9)
Ø He is rebuked by an unbeliever. (26:10-11)
3B. Isaac’s wealth (26:12-16)
Isaac was blessed by God (26:12-14a)
Isaac was hated by the Philistines (26:14b-16)
4B. Isaac’s wells (26:17-22)
Wells were important because they were the source of life in that arid land.
He recovered the wells of his father (26:17-18)
He dug new wells of his own (26:19-22)
Ø Esek, means quarrel
Ø Sitnah, means enmity
Ø Rehoboth, means spaciousness
5B. Isaac’s worship (26:23-25)
An important revelation (26:23-24)
Ø God took the initiative
Ø God reveals Himself
His person – I am the God of your father…
His protection – do not fear
His presence – I am with you
His promise – I will bless you…
An immediate response (26:25)
Ø Isaac sacrificed to the Lord
Ø Isaac sought the Lord
Ø Isaac served others
6B. Isaac’s witness (26:26-33)
Once Isaac’s was back in right fellowship with God, the Lord restored his testimony with Abimelech.
7B. Isaac’s woe (26:34-35)
Although Esau was raised in the home of a patriarch he still strayed.
2A The Lessons from Isaac’s Life
1. In difficult times you will be tempted to compromise our faith.
2. Children tend to commit the same sins as their parents.
3. Our sin will always affect others.
4. God is sovereign over our sin.
5. God is merciful even when we are rebellious even to the point of blessing us.
6. God’s blessings often will cause the world to hate us. (John 15:18-20)
7. Sometimes we need to renew our relationship with the Lord, the “living water” before we can move forward to new sources of His blessings.
8. Whenever we encounter God and He graciously reveals Himself, we are driven to genuine worship.
9. Genuine worship will always involve sacrifice, seeking, and service!
10. God can and often will restore our witness when we seek to live in obedience to His word.
11. Being “right” with God does not insure that our children will be obedient and it does not insulate us from hurt.