Village Schools of the Bible

Genesis: A Devotional Study
by Max Frazier, Jr

We begin our abbreviated study in the life of Isaac. In my classes I sometimes call him, "God's Interlude." Aside from his miraculous birth (you remember that his father was 100 and his mother 90 when he was born), and his extraordinary marriage (how many young men would marry a woman selected for him by his father's slave?), and the problems he had with his two sons, we know very little about this second of the Patriarchs. Really, Genesis 26 is about the only chapter where Isaac gets his own top billing - otherwise he shares it with either his father or his sons. Yet there is much that can be learned from his life, so let's begin.

Genesis 26

Key Words: "I will"

Key Verse: Verse 5 relates that blessings still come from obeying God and obedience entails keeping all God requires.

Purpose Statement: This is the only chapter that gives us a clear picture of Isaac as a man. Before this chapter he is linked with his father and in the following chapters he is linked with his sons.

Outline: Isaac and Abimelech - A Repeat of an Earlier Time

I. God reaffirms His covenant with Isaac (vs. 1-6)
II. Isaac's lie about Rebekah (vs. 7)
III. Confrontation between Isaac and Abimelech (vs. 8-33)
A. Concerning Rebekah (vs. 8-11)
B. Concerning properties (vs. 12-18)
C. Concerning wells (vs. 19-22)
D. Peace at Beersheba (vs. 23-33)
IV. Esau's marriage: grief to Isaac and Rebekah (vs. 34)

Questions to Probe: I wonder if Abraham had ever shared with Isaac about the times and consequences when he lied about Sarah? Why did God bless Isaac even when he lied?

Thoughts to Ponder: Time has past and Isaac enters the lands of another Abimelech. But something interesting happens. As one reads this story it is almost as if he has read it before. And one has. Abraham's son, Isaac, tells the same lie about his wife as did Abraham; and Abimelech's son almost committed the same offense as did his father. It would appear from both stories that God's judgment was not upon either Isaac or Abraham but upon Abimelech. In fact, both Isaac and Abraham prospered while in Abimelech's land. Both Isaac and Abraham had acted out of fear. We often do foolish things when we fail to trust the Lord.

We are told that Isaac dug at least four wells and reopened many others. Now the digging of a well was no small task as they were often up to a hundred feet deep and drilled through solid rock. How discouraging it must have been for Isaac to make the effort to drill a well only to abandon it to others for the cause of peace. Yet, all along God is reassuring Isaac of His promises concerning the land and descendants. It is probably what kept Isaac going.

There is a very sad comment made about Esau at the close of this chapter. His wives were a source of grief to his mother and father. Oh the joys of having the blessings of our parents as we enter into marriage.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: Every great person has first learned how to obey, whom to obey, and when to obey. (William A. Ward)

Genesis 24-25 Return to Table of Contents Genesis 27