Talk Truths
While in Gerar, Rebekah was subject to the designs of the men of the city, and God protected them both, in accordance with his own purpose with the patriarchs of Israel (Psalm 105:9-15).Psalm 105:9-15XWaiting for response Abraham and Sarah had suffered the same threat previously and, while prudently not revealing Sarah was his wife as well as his sister, to protect themselves, God also kept them safe, even from the King (Genesis 20:2-3,6).Genesis 20:2-3,6XWaiting for response Isaac followed this example and was also protected by God’s providence (Genesis 26:11-12).Genesis 26:11-12XWaiting for response
Some find fault with Isaac’s action, but the LORD did not. Furthermore, we must recognise that these events are an allegory, depicting the loving relationship between Christ and his Bride, who is also his sister (Song of Solomon 4:10)Song of Solomon 4:10XWaiting for response and, discerning the message of the scriptures will prevent us from making the mistake of condemning the guiltless. (Matthew 12:7).Matthew 12:7XWaiting for response
Isaac remained the Land and God blessed him until he became very great, powerful and prosperous, so that Abimelech became envious and told him to leave. He submitted to this and settled in the valley of Gerar, digging again the wells Abraham had dug. Here we have evidence of Isaac’s character when he submitted to evil the actions of the inhabitants, who took possession of the wells and drove him further away, until he found peace and room to live. In this we see his obedience to the same difficult requirement that Christ has place upon us – non-resistance to evil; turning the other cheek; not retaliating or avenging ourselves; and giving place to wroth.
He then departed to Beersheba, the city called "the Well of the Oath", where entered into a covenant of peace with the Philistines who recognised the LORD had blessed him, (Genesis 26:28-29)Genesis 26:28-29XWaiting for response as indeed he done, for his faithfulness. (Genesis 26:24).Genesis 26:24XWaiting for response
Verses 1-5
Genesis 26:1-5XWaiting for responseDuring a second severe famine in the days of the patriarchs, Isaac was instructed to remain in the Promised Land, and to obey God’s command as his father Abraham had done during the first one. Abraham had gone down into Egypt, and we can see how both these events foreshadowed the purpose of God with Israel during the following generations, for the experiences of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and their wives and children, are allegories. Like Abraham, Israel left the Land in a time of famine to go down to Egypt, where they suffered slavery, before God brought great plagues on Pharaoh and the Egyptians, so they left with great possessions, and journeyed back to the Promised Land. And in the next phase of their history, God’s people of Israel were to remain in the Land, as did Isaac. In the same way, we see parallels between Israel’s later experiences, in the purpose of God, and those of Jacob.
Isaac was told to follow the example of his father Abraham, whom God highly commended for his total obedience (v.5)Genesis 26:5XWaiting for response and with the promise he would receive the same wonderful blessings (Genesis 26:3-4).Genesis 26:3-4XWaiting for response We also are Abraham's seed through belief and baptism, (Galatians 3:26-27,29)Galatians 3:26-27,29XWaiting for response with the promise of being the beneficiaries of these same blessings.