Like His Father
Gen 26:1 And there was a famine in the land, beside the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went unto Abimelech king of the Philistines unto Gerar.
Gen 26:2 And the LORD appeared unto him, and said, Go not down into Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of:
Gen 26:3 Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father;
Gen 26:4 And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed;
Gen 26:5 Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.
The Abrahamic Covenant was again confirmed through Isaac. The covenant continued because Abraham met the conditions. Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.
Faith is proven by obedience.
James 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
Law does not save, but faith in God's promises does.
Rom 4:2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
Rom 4:3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
Rom 4:13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.
Rom 4:14 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:
Gal 3:6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.
Gal 3:7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.
Law keeping apart from faith in Jesus, can not save you from sins.
Rom 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Gen 26:6 And Isaac dwelt in Gerar:
Gen 26:1 And there was a famine in the land, beside the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went unto Abimelech king of the Philistines unto Gerar.
This is where he heard from God. It was also the place wher Abraham brought Sarah and called her his wife.
Gen 20:2 And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister: and Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah.
Gen 26:7 And the men of the place asked him of his wife; and he said, She is my sister: for he feared to say, She is my wife; lest, said he, the men of the place should kill me for Rebekah; because she was fair to look upon.
Isaac is following in his father's footsteps, sins as well. It is a big responsibility being a parent. The children do copy our behavior.
Gen 26:8 And it came to pass, when he had been there a long time, that Abimelech king of the Philistines looked out at a window, and saw, and, behold, Isaac was sporting with Rebekah his wife.
Our grandpararents might have called it spooning. They were laughing, jesting, perhaps even flirting, hugging, maybe kissing? They were married, but he had lied and said she was his sister. When his father said that Sarah was his sister, this was true, a half truth; a half sister, for she was also his wife.
Gen 26:9 And Abimelech called Isaac, and said, Behold, of a surety she is thy wife: and how saidst thou, She is my sister? And Isaac said unto him, Because I said, Lest I die for her.
Isaac had lied and was found out. Isaac, like his father were afraid and they wanted to save their own selves.
Gen 26:10 And Abimelech said, What is this thou hast done unto us? one of the people might lightly have lien with thy wife, and thou shouldest have brought guiltiness upon us.
What have you done to us? One of our people may have had sex with her, and because she is married it would be adultery. Note that the pagan king had a God given conscience, to know right from wrong. He feared God, and wrath for sin.
Gen 26:11 And Abimelech charged all his people, saying, He that toucheth this man or his wife shall surely be put to death.
God put favor on Isaac in spite of himself. The king gave protection to them.
Gen 26:12 Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the LORD blessed him.
He sowed in the land of Gerar and received an hundredfold. God blessed him wherever he went. This is shown as spiritual blessings in the new testament.
Mat 19:29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
Mat 13:23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
Gen 26:13 And the man waxed great, and went forward, and grew until he became very great:
Gen 26:14 For he had possession of flocks, and possession of herds, and great store of servants: and the Philistines envied him.
Like his father, he came out with great abundance. Abimelech knew Abraham before him to be a prophet, and was blessed by him. He also gave Abraham much in material blessings.
Gen 20:14 And Abimelech took sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and womenservants, and gave them unto Abraham, and restored him Sarah his wife.
Gen 20:15 And Abimelech said, Behold, my land is before thee: dwell where it pleaseth thee.
Gen 20:16 And unto Sarah he said, Behold, I have given thy brother a thousand pieces of silver: behold, he is to thee a covering of the eyes, unto all that are with thee, and with all other: thus she was reproved.
Gen 20:17 So Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bare children.
Gen 20:18 For the LORD had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah Abraham's wife.
Isaac was receiving the covenant blessings through Abraham.
The blessings of Abraham flow down all the way through Jesus. If we are in Christ we are blessed, not cursed. Jesus has removed our curses.
Law people want to put others into bondage, and other religions and beliefs are all about doing something to appease God's wrath. Jesus took his wrath from us and made us children of God; we are in his kingdom. The kingdom is shown through Christ and his disciples who have his Spirit.
Gal 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.
Gal 3:11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
Gal 3:12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.
Gal 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
Many people come from bad homes. I have ministered and led many to Jesus on the Internet. This put me in the place of a dad, a guide, a teacher and a friend. We are the role models through Christ Jesus to make the crooked paths straight. The blessings of God come through His Son. Jesus is like His Father. We are to be like Jesus. Through Jesus we can be made in the image of God. not in the image of our earthly father, who may have been evil. We are to be the ones who have Jesus to give to the lost of this world. Through Jesus people will be restore to God and made new creations, created in the image of God's perfect Son.
Isaac's Wells
Gen 26:15 For all the wells which his father's servants had digged in the days of Abraham his father, the Philistines had stopped them, and filled them with earth.
Wells bring forth water and life. The Philistines stopped all of Abraham's wells; plugged up the wells. Water is a symbol for the word of God. There is often opposition and persecution against the speaking of God's word. Many of the world try to stop it, while others receive life from it's power.
Mat 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Mat 5:12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
1 Th 1:5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.
1 Th 1:6 And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:
Gen 26:16 And Abimelech said unto Isaac, Go from us; for thou art much mightier than we.
Gen 26:17 And Isaac departed thence, and pitched his tent in the valley of Gerar, and dwelt there.
Gen 26:18 And Isaac digged again the wells of water, which they had digged in the days of Abraham his father; for the Philistines had stopped them after the death of Abraham: and he called their names after the names by which his father had called them.
Gen 26:19 And Isaac's servants digged in the valley, and found there a well of springing water.
Gen 26:20 And the herdmen of Gerar did strive with Isaac's herdmen, saying, The water is ours: and he called the name of the well Esek; because they strove with him.
Springs of living water. Symbolic of the flowing out of the holy spirit. This is the spirit of peace. The herdmen of Gerar strived with Isaac's herdsmen. The well was called Esek, meaning contention; debate, arguing, discord. The Spirit of peace is not discord. Discord is of the devil. I have noticed the river when the living water flows over obstacles, such as high rocks, it makes a roar. With no opposition or obstacles, the flowing water of the spirit is quiet and peaceful.
Gen 26:21 And they digged another well, and strove for that also: and he called the name of it Sitnah.
Sitnah means strife. Strife and discord try to block the flow of God's word.
Gen 26:22 And he removed from thence, and digged another well; and for that they strove not: and he called the name of it Rehoboth; and he said, For now the LORD hath made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land.
Rehoboth means wide places or streets. Now the LORD has made room for us. I am sure this is how the early settlers felt who came to America from strife and persecution. He removed himself from strife and discord.
Abraham's herdsman were in strife with Lots herdsman earlier. Abraham gave lot his choice of land and peace was restored.
Gen 13:8 And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren.
Gen 13:9 Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.
We are to go into the world with the water of the word, but when strife comes, people must choose between God's truth and their own desires. We are commanded to go into the world with the witness of God's word by His Spirit and take people from strife, darkness and sin, unto God. We are to come out from the strife makers into holiness and the peace of God. Those who come out from the witness of the word, are rescued from damnation into the living waters of eternal life in Christ Jesus.
John 4:10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.
2 Cor 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
2 Cor 6:18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
Gen 26:23 And he went up from thence to Beersheba.
This is the place of seven oaths, where Abraham had dug a well and made a peace treaty with the Philistines.
Gen 21:27 And Abraham took sheep and oxen, and gave them unto Abimelech; and both of them made a covenant.
Gen 21:28 And Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves.
Gen 21:29 And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What mean these seven ewe lambs which thou hast set by themselves?
Gen 21:30 And he said, For these seven ewe lambs shalt thou take of my hand, that they may be a witness unto me, that I have digged this well.
Gen 21:31 Wherefore he called that place Beersheba; because there they sware both of them.
The LORD speaks to Isaac and blesses him at Beersheba.
Gen 26:24 And the LORD appeared unto him the same night, and said, I am the God of Abraham thy father: fear not, for I am with thee, and will bless thee, and multiply thy seed for my servant Abraham's sake.
Gen 26:25 And he builded an altar there, and called upon the name of the LORD, and pitched his tent there: and there Isaac's servants digged a well.
Again the LORD appears to him and confirms the covenant through him. This was an important place to Abraham and now to Isaac. Like his father, Isaac built an altar and his servants dig a well. When we are on the right path, the Lord confirms it with his blessing and promise. Sometimes we must leave contention and strife and be led by God to where he wants us. Draw near to God and love him more. Remind yourself of His covenant with you and he will bless you.
Eph 1:10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
Eph 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
Eph 1:12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Eph 1:14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
Gen 26:26 Then Abimelech went to him from Gerar, and Ahuzzath one of his friends, and Phichol the chief captain of his army.
Abimelech and Phichol, may have been official titles, for it is unlikely that these were the same men who made a covenant with Israel 90 years earlier.
Gen 26:27 And Isaac said unto them, Wherefore come ye to me, seeing ye hate me, and have sent me away from you?
Gen 26:28 And they said, We saw certainly that the LORD was with thee: and we said, Let there be now an oath betwixt us, even betwixt us and thee, and let us make a covenant with thee;
Gen 26:29 That thou wilt do us no hurt, as we have not touched thee, and as we have done unto thee nothing but good, and have sent thee away in peace: thou art now the blessed of the LORD.
Abimelech makes a covenant with Isaac, as he did with Abraham. The world soon forgets covenants and treaties, but God keeps his word and his people should do so as well. Remember ALL the wells that Abraham had dug, had been filled with dirt, breaking the earlier covenant promise.
Gen 26:15 For all the wells which his father's servants had digged in the days of Abraham his father, the Philistines had stopped them, and filled them with earth.
Gen 26:30 And he made them a feast, and they did eat and drink.
Gen 26:31 And they rose up betimes in the morning, and sware one to another: and Isaac sent them away, and they departed from him in peace.
A treaty of peace, just as Joseph would have with Pharaoh king of Egypt. Time goes on, a new king and treaties are forgotten. There is no promise of peace in the world; not until Jesus returns. We can have peace in our hearts and the world is not the source of our peace.
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Gen 26:32 And it came to pass the same day, that Isaac's servants came, and told him concerning the well which they had digged, and said unto him, We have found water.
Gen 26:33 And he called it Shebah: therefore the name of the city is Beersheba unto this day.
As Abraham had named it before him: the well of the seven fold oath. The Philistines may have renamed the place. Now Isaac, reclaims and renames that which belonged to him through his father. We need to confirm the good things of our fathers of faith, building on their faith and the promises of God. He once again digged a well where his father had dug before him and rename the place. He was bringing life once again to this special place. He was restoring that which was lost. Jesus came to do that for the lost sheep of Israel.
Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Satan will try to steal what belongs to God, while we are to build on God's promises and to restore that which was lost.
1 Cor 3:10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
1 Cor 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
1 Cor 3:12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
1 Cor 3:13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
1 Cor 3:14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
1 Cor 3:15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
Gen 26:34 And Esau was forty years old when he took to wife Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Bashemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite:
Gen 26:35 Which were a grief of mind unto Isaac and to Rebekah.
Almost as an afterthought, Esau is mentioned, the worldly firstborn son has taken women from the world, which brought grief to his parents, also breaking his father's command.
Gen 24:3 And I will make thee swear by the LORD, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell:
He in fact took two wives: Judith and Bashemath, in open defiance. We can follow the good word of God by faith, or like Esau we can choose by our own lusts and desires the things of this world. Joshua would say to us in his time:
Josh 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
Josh 24:16 And the people answered and said, God forbid that we should forsake the LORD, to serve other gods;
Isaac may be remembered as a well digger seeking to bring life wherever he went. We also are to bring life wherever we go. We are to give out the living word in the world. Where we find obstacles, we move on. We follow the Lord and are to encourage ourselves in him, love him more and remember our covenant promises. Isaac prospered in material blessings and we seek spiritual blessings to be stored in heaven as an offering to our Lord. What greater blessings than to bring others from death to life?
Genesis 27
Genesis 1 Table of Contents
Eaglewings Ministries
Eaglewings Journal