Gen. 26:1-33

This story of Isaac is in the flow of the story of Jacob.  It is preceded by the birth of the twins and the matter of the birthright.  It is followed by Isaac’s own plan to bless Esau as the firstborn, contrary to God’s plan.  This chapter certainly reveals his own struggle of faith.  But it also reveals him as the one to whom Abraham’s promise is given.

·        26:1-5: God promised Isaac.  It is the same unconditional promise involving innumerable descendants, nations, and the blessing of Christ.  Abraham received this by faith (Gen. 15) and that faith produced outward evidence (Gen. 22) though Abraham struggled in learning what it was to fully trust God.

·        26:6-11: God protected Isaac.  Abraham’s struggle became Isaac’s struggle.  Isaac was directed by God not to go to Egypt in the time of famine as Abraham had done (Gen. 12:10-20) and as He would command Jacob to do later.  Instead he went to Gerar and there lied about his wife.  As Psalm 105:13-15 says, God nevertheless protected him because Isaac was chosen by God.  He was God’s “anointed”.

·        26:12-22: God prospered Isaac.  Not only did God protect him in Gerar; He made him wealthy.  Beersheba had diminished in some way, the wells being stopped up by Abimelech’s men.  God blessed in ensuing quarrel and Isaac, though still a stranger in the land, could see God’s favor in giving him a secure place to live and be fruitful.

·        26:23-33: God preserved Isaac.  The people of Gerar, and particularly the king, could see God’s favor on Isaac.  This is how God had intended: that His chosen ones would be a testimony to the world of His grace and goodness.  Therefore Abimelech desires to be in a good relationship with Isaac and his descendants.  The covenant is made and God confirms His blessing by the discovery of a well there in Beersheba.

This chapter reveals to us more than any other the way in which Isaac is the stranger and pilgrim on the earth (Heb. 11:13-16).  He dies in faith, not receiving the promises, but seeing them afar off.  This attitude indicates someone who seeks a homeland or country that is eternal, the heavenly country which God has prepared for him.  

When it comes down to it, Isaac is not the central individual in Gen. 26.  God is!  This chapter reveals what God is doing and how He did this in the life and times of Isaac.  People who live as strangers on the earth must learn to think that way.  They are not the center of the universe.  Our lives are always about what God is doing.