Now there was a famine in the land, besides the former famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went to Gerar to Abimelech king of the Philistines. And the LORD appeared to him and said, “Do not go down to Egypt; dwell in the land of which I shall tell you. Sojourn in this land, and I will be with you and will bless you, for to you and to your offspring I will give all these lands, and I will establish the oath that I swore to Abraham your father. I will multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and will give to your offspring all these lands. And in your offspring all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because Abraham obeyed my voice and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws. So Isaac settled in Gerar. When the men of the place asked him about his wife, he said, “She is my sister.” (26:1–5)
God had a plan that began with Abraham—with Abraham’s relationship to God and God’s promise of descendants to Abraham, beginning with his miracle son, Isaac. Here we see God confirming His promise (and plan) to Isaac, speaking of giving Isaac descendants as numerous as the stars of heaven and also giving to them the lands where Isaac currently was. He also instructed Isaac not to go down to Egypt. Isaac’s response? “So Isaac settled in Gerar” (Genesis 26:6). In other words, he obeyed what God said.
His father, Abraham, was a good example in obedience.
There is another instance of “like father, like son,” only in this case, Abraham did this before Isaac was born, so it’s not as if Isaac witnessed it: He told the men of Gerar that Rebekah was his sister, because he feared that they would kill him for Rebekah. One day, however, the king saw some interactions between Isaac and Rebekah, and realized she was his wife. He challenges Isaac on this, and Isaac explains why he lied. Abimelech responds, “One of the people might easily have lain with your wife, and you would have brought guilt upon us” (Genesis 26:10). King Abimelech orders his people not to touch Isaac’s wife on pain of death.
Again, we see God’s protection, this time of Rebekah. It seems sometimes in God’s mercy He protects us and others from our foolishness and lack of faith, while other times there are some direct consequences. There may also be consequences for those around us, be it family, friends, or others, who are watching our example. People are watching the lives of those who they perceive are following God, therefore for their sakes, as well as for our own sakes, we need to seek to live in a God-honouring way.
Prayer: Thank You, God, that You will always accomplish Your plans. Help me to be obedient to Your Word, to trust that You will always do what You say You will do, even when it looks like other things are happening or that other forces are stronger than You. They are not! Please show me where I am not being obedient, not trusting You, or not living for You, that I may repent for my own sake and for the sake of those around me.
