BiblicalMastery Buddy's bible blog

Lesson 23

Genesis 26

Like Father Like Son

Me-

When I was younger I use to say, “If I had my life to do over I would do things differently.”  However, as I have become older I realize that if there was a chance to redo my life I probably would have made the same mistakes over again. The one thing I would not change about my life; I would have married my wife over again.  It ranks close to the top of the best decision I ever made.  The only other one that is of more importance is becoming a follower of Christ. 

The reason nothing would have changed has to do with the personality and abilities which God gave to me, many which I did not use to the fullest.  In order to reach the point in life where one understands what God wants to do with him or her comes only from experience.  It is a fortunate person who knows what they want to do with his life from the very beginning.  Circumstances often lead us down a life path that we did not expect. 

Even though I became a believer at a young age, there was no obvious growth until many years later.  If I could do it over I would want my life to be one of constantly focusing on what is important.  There is only One who meets that criteria.

We-

The church certainly is not exempt from making the same mistakes over and over again.  The one thing that stymies our advancement is constantly looking back at what might have been.  If we can get past what we cannot change because once done a deed cannot be undone.  There is nothing wrong at looking at the history of the church.  We are what we have made of ourselves to be.  As we look back we can understand our present situation.  The past is not where we want to remain, however. Paul in Philippians tells us to let the past be the past.  Our marching orders are what he said in the words to follow. We are called to, “Press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 3:14)  The question is where do we want to be, rehashing old stuff or looking to see what God wants to do with His church?

God-

Genesis 26:1

It was almost like déjà vou.  Isaac found himself in the throes of a famine just like his father had experience previously. He then begins to make a trek south east to find water to provide for his flocks and herds.  Like Abraham before him he came in the land of Gerar to Abimelech, the king of the Philistines.  This was not the same man with whom his father had dealings.  Abimelech was most likely a title, like Pharaoh.

1. How is this like the incident that we saw with Abraham’s first journey away from the land of Canaan?
2. Why did Isaac see a need to move?
3. Why would he go to the same land that his father had gone before?
4. Why would the man who was king allow Isaac to stay there?

Genesis 26:2-5

God stopped him short of going into Egypt which evidently was his intent.  The Lord shared several things that would be important in the life of Isaac. First was the warning to stay out of Egypt.  If he did so God would:

• Be with him if he sojourned where He wanted him to stay.
• Bless him.
• Give the land to Isaac and his descendents.

God then reaffirmed the covenant He had made with Abraham which included the promise that he would:

• Have many descendents.
• His descendents would possess the land.
• Bless the nations through the descendants.

The covenant was established with Abraham because he had obeyed God by keeping His charge, commandments, statues and laws.

1. What is different about Isaac’s travels and that of his father?
2. What was Isaac’s intent?
3. How do we know what he planned to do?
4. What was the reason God shared with Isaac the plans that He had for him?
5. Why was it important for God to reaffirm the promises made to Abraham with Isaac?

Genesis 26:6

Isaac obeyed God and stayed in Gerar.  He did not go down to Egypt as his father had done before him.

1. In what ways did Isaac obey God?
2. Why did God not want Isaac to go down into Egypt?

Genesis 26:7

Surely Isaac would have heard of events involving Abraham when he travelled to Egypt and Gerar.  Both times Abraham called Sarah his sister, which showed a lack of faith on his part and created problems for his hosts, Pharaoh and Abimelech..  It is obvious that he did not truly believe the promises God had made with him.    

His son followed in his footsteps and used Rebekah because he feared for his life.  He called her his sister which was an outright lie, unlike Abraham.  It should be clear by this time that both Abraham and Isaac put themselves in a possible dangerous situation by being where they should not have been living among a hostile people. Isaac’s insecurity and timid nature led him to put   his wife in a vulnerable position to protect his own life. 

1. What did Isaac learn from the recounting of Abraham’s trips into Egypt and Gerar?
2. Why did he think he could get away with such a masquerade?
3. What should he have learned from the stories of his father?
4. What does it show about the character of both men?
5. What was different in Isaac’s situation than that of his father?

Genesis 26:8-9

One thing that may not be apparent at first from the text is that God did not intervene as He had done with Abraham.  A good reason for His absence is that the purity and integrity of the line of Abraham was not in jeopardy by the actions of Isaac and Rebekah.  God did not come to Ambimelech to warn him as He had before.  After a period of time, Abimelech actually observed  Isaac “caressing his wife.”  Isaac was not as discreet as his father and openly continued to relate to Rebekah as his wife.

Abimelech’s reaction was as would be expected from one who had been deceived by Isaac’s actions..  He did even give Isaac a chance but accused him immediately of the deception he had tried to carry out.  Isaac, lamely spoke of the fear he had of being killed.  Abimelech would have been offended and let Isaac out of the possible consequences of his action.  He had actually put in jeopardy the reputation of all the people of Gerar and would have brought great guilt on the people of Gerar if someone had taken Rebekah as a wife.

Once again, God protected one of the Patriarchs even when Isaac had purposely lacked faith and tried to take matters in his own hands. Ambimelech could have killed Isaac for what he had done but instead he warned all the people not to touch Rebekah,

1. Why did God not intervene in this situation?
2. What was Abimelech’s relationship with Rebekah?
3. What was Isaac’s attitude during this whole episode?
4. How did Abimelech discover what Isaac was doing?
5. What was the response of Abimelech?
6. How did his character differ from that of Isaac’s in the way he handled the matter?

Genesis 26:12-14

Moving on from the episode with Abimelech, Isaac returned to his agrarian background.  God gave him a great harvest.  As a result of the blessing of God, he became a very wealthy man owning flocks, herds and people.  His many possessions caused the Philistines to become very envious of him.

1. What did it take for God to begin to bless Isaac?
2. What was the reason for the blessings poured out on Isaac?
3. What is the evidence that God was with him in his endeavors?
4. Why did the Philistines become jealous of Isaac?

Genesis 26:15-17

One of the ways the Philistines showed their dislike for Isaac was to stop up all of the wells that Abraham had dug.  Without a doubt, Isaac would have needed the water to keep his animals alive.  Abimelech joined with his fellow Philistines and ordered Isaac to leave the land of Gerar.  He acted out of fear.  With his great wealth Isaac had become more powerful that Abimelech himself.  Isaac obeyed him and moved into the valley of Gerar.

1. How did the Philistines show their contempt for Isaac?
2. Why would they haave felt that way about Isaac?
3. Why were the wells so important to Isaac?
4.  Why did Abimelech issue the command for him to leave?
5. What may have been the real reason he commanded Isaac to leave?
6. Why did Isaac stay in the area of the valley of Gerar?

Genesis 26:18-22

Isaac made every attempt while in the Valley of Gerar to provide water for his flocks and herds by digging again the wells that his father had previously dug. He even gave them the same names.  Each time he completed one of the wells the Philistines came and claimed it as their own.  In a way they were correct for Isaac was sojourning in their land.  It was also a way to accomplish getting Isaac to leave the land of Gerar.

The first well that the men of Gerar took from him in the valley, he named Esek, meaning contention.  The second well was also claimed by his adversaries he called Sitnah because they showed contempt for him.  Finally after those tries, Isaac discovered water and called the well Rehoboth, because the Philistines did not quarrel over it.  Rehoboth means broad places.  He had found a place where he could live in peace and be fruitful. God was given the credit for providing “room” in the land where Isaac believed that his family could become fruitful.

1. Why was water so important to Isaac?
2. Why did the men of Gerar continue to seize the wells he had dug?
3. By what right could they claim the wells of their own?
4. In what way did the names he gave for the wells reflect what was taking place?
5. When Isaac dug the well he called Rehoboth, why did the Philistines leave him alone?
6. In his mind, who was responsible for the peace he experienced?
7. What had been the hindrance of his family becoming fruitfull?
8. How had that changed?

Genesis 26:23-25

Only after Isaac moved from the land of Gerar to Beersheba in the Negev of Canaan did the Lord once again speak to Isaac.  While he lived in Gerar he was out of the will of God because it was the land of Canaan that had promised to Abraham as an inheritance.  Isaac had left the land of promise and had gone into Gerar.  When God appeared to him upon his return he identified Himself as the God of Abraham. Next He dealt with the insecurities and fears that were part of Isaac’s personality.  He assured him that He would leave Isaac but would always be with him.

Here the writer indicated that God only spoke of part of the covenant relationship with Isaac.  There is no discussion of possession of the land.  The only promise made at that point that Isaac would receive the blessings of God and he would have many descendants.  That promise was given not for Isaac’s sake but because of the relationship that God had with Abraham.  In a way Isaac had done nothing to deserve what God was going to give him.

Isaac then built an altar and worshipped God.  It was in that place that Isaac decided to pitch his tent.  To indicate his plans to stay there he and his servants dug a well to provide for his needs.

1. Why did God not speak to Isaac while he was in Gerar?
2. What are some of the situations that have occurred in your life when God seems to be silent?
3. What did it take for God to once again communicate with Isaac?
4. What was the order of the words of God?
5. Why did He present Himself to Isaac in that way?
6. What were important parts that were omitted from the promise that had been given to Abraham?
7. Why did God not promise Isaac those things?
8. Why did God say that what was going to occur was for the sake of Abraham?
9. What does that say about Isaac’s relationship with God?

Genesis 26:26-33

Abimelech approaches Isaac.  To show the seriousness of the visit he brought along with him an adviser named Ahuzzath and Philcol the commander of his army.  Isaac by that time was in no mood to have any dealings with the men.  His statement to them said it all.  He wanted to know why they had come after commanding him to leave their city state. 

They had come because Isaac had become more powerful than they were. It was obvious to them that was God protecting him and had increased his wealth in spite of their attempts to discourage and chase him away.  Knowing that God was on the side of Isaac they wanted to make sure that he would do them no harm.  Isaac did not want conflict and readily agreed to oath they asked of him.  He then made a feast for them and sent them away peacefully.

1. Why did Abimelech approach Isaac?
2. Why would a king be afraid of one family?
3. Why did Isaac agree to the terms they presented to him?
4. What does this show about the character of Isaac?

With the final relationship with Abimelech behind him he could now give full attention to providing for his family.  On the very day that he sent Abimelech away in peace his servants came with the news that they had found water.  He gave the new well the name Shibah called the place where the well was located Beer-sheba.

1. Why was it important for Isaac to be completely separated from the Philistines?
2. What was the good news for Isaac upon the departure of Abimelech?

Genesis 26:34-35

Esau continued to move away from God.  Abraham had sent his servant to get a wife from Nahor’s family because he did not want his son to marry a Canaanite woman.  Esau went against that tradition and married Judith and Basemath both of whom were from Hitite family when he was forty years old.  They were Canaanites.  His marriage to those two women grieved his parents.

1. How did Esau prove his distain for the idea of marrying only women from Abraham’s family?
2. How does it show that he was drifting away from God?
3. Why was it so offensive to his parents that he married Hitite women?
4. In what ways could this be understood as being unequally yoked?
5. In what ways did he dishonor his parents by his actions?

You-

• For young people you have the opportunity to take a good look at what God has given you in the way of Spiritual Gifts, talents and passions so that you may live your life in complete service to Him.
• Ask for forgiveness for the times that you have failed God and repeatedly committed the same acts over and over again?
• Learn to follow the example of men and women who truly live according to biblical standards.
• For all followers of Christ be sure that you separate yourself from those who will lead you astray.
• For those considering marriage, do not become entangled with unbelievers.  The Bible calls it be unequally yoked to the ungodly. 

We- 

When we consider the problems that affected Isaac’s life, many of those came from making wrong choices.  We have to make sure that we do not compromise the principles that God has given to us.  Isaac learned much from his father, Abraham, that was good but, he also picked up on actions that bordered on the unethical.  We are not to do what other denominations and churches do just to grow.  All of our actions need to be based on God’s word.  To do otherwise will destroy our witness to the community. God calls us to be holy and perfect. Let us not fail Him.

Additional Notes-

BL-In chapter 26, Isaac repeated his father’s mistake of lying about his relationship to his wife. Once again, an unbeliever, Abimelech, reprimanded a believer, Isaac, for sinning!    People haven’t changed any over the centuries.  We SHOULD be better, because we have the example of Christ to follow and the Holy Spirit living within us.  When we allow ourselves to drift away from God’s word, it doesn’t take long before the currents of the world begin sweeping us away!  How careful are you and I to spend time EACH day with God in prayer and Bible study?  Sin is a lot like the plaque on our teeth.  It doesn’t take long for it to build up and calcify and then, BOY is it painful to have it removed. The chapter concluded with Isaac’s peaceful resolution of a problem with jealous Philistines.  They continued to fill up the wells as quickly as he dug them.  Each time he would simply move on and dig another.  The final result was a blessing from God and a peace treaty with the Philistines.

C-Isaac moved his family to Gerar because of a famine in the land of Canaan.  He followed in his father’s footsteps lying about his relationship with Rebekah.  (Gen. 26:1)

E-God met with Isaac and gave him clear instructions not to go down to Egypt but to remain where he was.  If he did so, God would be with him and bless him. To him and his descendents The Lord was going to give the land he promised to Abraham.  There were aspects of all that He laid out for Isaac

1. He was going to affirm the same oath with him as had with his father.
2. His descendents would be multiplied
3. Descendents would be given all the land.
4. All peoples would be blessed through his seed.

Each of the things would take place because Abraham had

1. Obeyed God
2. Kept His charge, commandments, statutes and laws.                                                     (Gen 26:2-5)

C-All of the promises made to Abraham by God were transferred to Isaac.  The only condition that he was given was that he would continue to obey God. (Gen. 26:2-6)

GC-What greater example can we have than Abraham.  Of him God declared,    “Abraham obeyed Me and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes and My laws. (Gen. 26:5)

WM-Some of the lessons Isaac learned from the life of Abraham were the wrong ones.  When he moved to Gerar, like his father before him, deceived the people telling them that Rebekah was his sister because of fear of being killed. (Gen. 26:6-9)

M-Isaac used the same tactic his father had carried out in preserving his life.  He was driven more by fear than faith in what God had told him. (Gen. 26:7, 9)

TM-Through the example we have in Isaac we learn that some people never heed the lessons of those who have gone before them. (Gen. 26:7:11)

C-Isaac moved away from Abimelech to the valley of Gerar. (Gen. 26:17)

C-His move was in order to find water.  The men of Gerar had contended with him over the wells he dug until he found water in the well he called Rehoboth. (Gen. 26:18-22)

E-What a comfort and assurance it must have been for Isaac having faced adversity to have God come to him and make several statements concerning him.  The things shared were;

1. That He was the God of Abraham.  The same God who had cared for his father was now going to be with him.
2. That Isaac need not fear for He was with him.
3. He would receive the blessings of God.
4. Isaac’s descendents would multiply. 

All of this was done for the sake of Abraham who God called His servant.  Having heard all of these things Isaac built an altar to the Lord. (Gen. 26:23-25)

C- He then moved to Beersheba where the Lord appeared to him to bless him.  Isaac built an altar and called on the name of the Lord. (Gen. 26:23-25)

GC-Isaac needed to learn the lesson that he did not need to fear even in a foreign godless nation because God was with him. (Gen. 26:24; Ps. 145:18; Prov. 3:25-26; Is. 8:12; Is. 41:10, 13-14)

M-Isaac built an altar and called on the Lord out of thankfulness of his heart. (Gen. 26:25)

UE-Physical evidence was proof enough for Abimelech that Lord was with Isaac had prospered him. (Gen. 26:28-29)

BL- We looked at Genesis 26, vv. 34-35.  There we saw that Esau married two Hittite women, which brought grief to his parents.  These marriages demonstrate further Esau’s disregard for spiritual matters, since he did not look for or marry a woman who shared his family’s spiritual background.  These choices practically guaranteed that his offspring would not be brought up in a God-fearing household, since mothers have an enormous influence on their children’s spiritual upbringing.  Nor did Esau seem to care what his parents thought about his marriages, even though parents of that time and culture often chose their childrens’ spouses for them.  By these actions, and by his willingness to sell his birthright for a pot of stew, Esau showed that he had a PROPENSITY (or inclination) to disregard spiritual concerns in favor of the here-and-now.  Esau was a sensual person who tended to live for the gratifications of the moment, thereby fulfilling the prophecy that God gave Rebekah before her sons were even born.  Jacob, on the other hand, did value the blessings of his father and grandfather; and while God did not approve of the trickery Jacob used to procure those blessings, it pleased Him that Jacob desired them. Praise God that when He looks at believers, it is through the shed blood of Christ and He sees us as a finished project, even though we all have a LOOOOONNNGG way to go (at least I do!) A good question to ask ourselves, however:  when God looks at you and me, does He see someone who is wrapped up in the concerns of this world, or someone who is “just passing through” on the way to the next?  Are we “of the world,” constantly looking to gratify our sensual natures, or we “in the world”–doing what needs to be done, but making time for God in our daily lives, as well? 

TM-The very thing that Abraham had sought to avoid in the life of his family took place with one of Isaac’s sons, Esau. The children of the covenant were not to marry those outside of the family.  For Esau to do so once again shows how easy it is to compromise with the ungodly of this world. (Gen. 26:34-35)

C-Esau married when he was forty years old.  His wives were women of Canaan.  His marriages brought grief to his parents because he had married outside of the family. (Gen. 26:34)

M-Esau showed a total disregard for the covenant relationship between God and Abraham by marrying a woman from the heathen tribes in the land of Canaan. (Gen. 26:34-35)