Today’s lesson is going to give you such a sense of déjà vu. The Bible, in chapter 26, records several events from Isaac’s life, and they are all going to sound somewhat familiar. They are all scenes we have already seen in Abraham’s life. As we study, think about the ways in which the events are similar and the ways they are different from when they happened to Abraham.
In verse 1, we learn that there is a famine and we see Isaac turning to Abimelech. We know that when there was famine in Abraham’s time, he went to wait it out in Egypt. What do we see in verse 2 about Isaac’s location during the famine? God wants him to stay in Canaan. What reason does He give Isaac for this instruction (vs 3-4)? We can see here that God has repeated the covenant promise to Isaac… the same one that He gave Abraham. I’m sure that Isaac would have already known of this promise/covenant, but God has just made it personal to Isaac. He gave this promise to Abraham and now He is reaffirming that the promise will pass through Isaac. God tells Isaac the reason He chose Abraham in verse 5. The Bible gives us further information concerning this in Gal 3:8-9.
We see in verse 6 that Isaac obeys the Lord and stays in Gerar. Gerar was an ancient Philistine city and region on the border of Canaan and was on the trade route to Egypt. Abraham and Isaac both lived in this ancient city but made different choices when famine came. What reasoning do you think helped Isaac choose to stay in Gerar (Prov 29:25)?
Read verses 7-8. Does this sound familiar? This is exactly what Abraham did on more than one occasion. When Isaac began to feel the same danger/threat from Abimelech, where do you think he got this idea? This is an example of something called ‘generational sin’. Often, our offspring will behave in a similar manner as we did, as parents, because that is what they have seen. It is what they think is the right thing to do. They may have had enough training to know right from wrong, but when it comes down to it, their response is automatic. They don’t think about it before doing what comes naturally. If a bad example is set, it lays the foundation for our children’s future behavior and it can be difficult for them to break free. Does this mean it is the parents’ fault? Absolutely not! We are all responsible for our actions and the Bible teaches very clearly that we will all receive our own punishments accordingly (Ez 18). But parents definitely have an influence on the choices their children will make.
When Abraham did this, Sarah was taken into other men’s (ruler’s) households, but this is apparently not so for Rebekah. She remained with Isaac. The consequences of this deception are not yet evident, but verses 8-9 tell us what happened as a result. After living as neighbors for quite a while, one day Abimelech looked out of his window and saw Isaac and Rebekah engaging in some sexual activities. Immediately he realized that Rebekah was actually Isaac’s wife, not his sister, and demanded an explanation for the lie. Read verses 10-11. Abimelech responds with righteous indignation, yet he issues orders to his people that will protect Isaac and Rebekah. Do we respond with righteous indignation when we feel like something has almost made us sin without meaning to? We need to be this bothered by sin. Unfortunately, we see no indication here of Isaac repenting his deception. The Bible exhorts us to live honest lives before men (2 Cor 13:7-8), but Isaac chose to act as his father had before him. Yet, despite his sin, God protects him in Gerar.
Isaac continues living in Canaan and God blesses his obedience. Read verses 12-13. Isaac was already a wealthy man before this as he had inherited Abraham’s wealth. Besides having flocks and herds, Isaac farmed the land and God blessed him (Prov 10:22). What effect did this have on the Philistines living near him (vs 14-15)? Remember, in those days, water was life, and filling in Abraham’s wells would have been the locals’ way of running Isaac out of the land. In verse 16, Abimelech gives us understanding that the Philistines were afraid of Isaac’s power and he asked Isaac to move away from them.
Isaac does not fight with the Philistines. In verse 17-18, we see that Isaac moves from the city of Gerar but stays there in the Gerar Valley. This is the land where God told him to live. He redug Abraham’s wells that the Philistines had filled in after Abraham’s death giving them the same names Abraham had given them. Isaac is attempting to get along with his neighbors. But what happens? In verses 19-20, his servants dug up one of Abraham’s wells but the herders of Gerar disputed with Isaac’s men claiming that the water was theirs. So, Isaac named the well ‘Esek’ which means ‘dispute’.
Still attempting to get along with his neighbors, Isaac had his men dig another well. But the Philistines quarreled over this one also, so he named it Sitnah’, which means ‘opposition’ (verse 21). What does Isaac do in verse 22? He moved again and dug another well. Finally, no one disputed this well so he named it Rehoboth, which means ‘room’. Why did he choose this name?
Read verses 23-25. What happens when Isaac goes to Rehoboth? God tells Isaac not to be afraid and reminds him of the covenant promise. The Bible tells us Isaac’s response was to build an altar for worship, pitch his tent, and dig another well. He is settling in.
In verses 26-29, we see Abimelech come to Isaac, with his entourage. What is his intent? It appears that the Philistines are afraid of Isaac just as Isaac had been afraid of them. Abimelech wants to establish a peace treaty. Isn’t this how it had been with Abraham? Abraham chose to make a treaty and live in peace with the Philistines. What does Isaac choose to do (verses 30-31)? Not only does he sign a treaty, but he makes them a feast, as well. He is trying to get along with his neighbors. Abimelech and his men went away peacefully after that. What causes a man’s enemies to make peace with him (Prov 16:7)? If you are having trouble getting along with others, consider taking Prov 16:7 to heart.
Now we see in verse 32 Isaac’s men coming to him with good news. “We found water!” Isaac called the well ‘Shibah’, which means ‘oath’ and named the place he was living ‘Beersheba’ which means ‘well of the oath’.
Verses 24-35 tell us that Esau, when he was 40, went on to marry two Hittite women (Canaanites) and that this was a source of grief for Isaac and Rebekah. A polygamous marriage with two non-Semitic women. Abraham had ensured, before his death, that his son, Isaac, married appropriately. This was not the case for Isaac’s son Esau.
Responding to God: Praise God for His presence in our lives. Thank Him for His good gifts. Pray and seek forgiveness for any dishonesty and deception you are guilty of. Ask Him to make you a good example in the lives of your children and to help you teach your children God’s desires for marriage. Pray for your children to make good choices. Pray for your neighbors and for God’s guidance on living in peace with others.
Further Research: On the internet, learn about the Hittites.
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