The Book of Genesis
Part 50
Study Portion: Chapter 26:23-33
In our more recent studies we have watched the behaviour of Isaac in his home and in the community. In these places there were acts which we approved and acts which we condemned.
One of the most commendable features of Isaac’s character that we have discovered is his spirit of peace, his willingness to yield to the wishes and impositions of others for the sake of peace.
While this is most admirable, one wonders whether or not he would have yielded so much had he been actually conscious of being in the Lord’s path. There are certain expressions in this portion, which dealing with his history, lead to the conclusion that his going to Gerar was a plan of his own.
Let us examine this passage in detail.
The Return
“And he (Isaac) went up from thence (Gerar) to Beersheba.” No matter how sympathetically we view Isaac’s sojourn in Gerar, there is a doubt, as already suggested, as to whether or not he should have gone to that city of the Philistines. He did obey God in not going farther away, in not going down into Egypt, but apparently without any word from the Lord, he went down to Gerar. God, nevertheless, blessed him in a material manner, but there seems to have been a distance in spirit between the Lord and Isaac. This we do know, his return to the vicinity of his former dwelling place, brought an expression of divine approval.
In the life of a believer, there can be wanderings of heart although there may be no apparent persistent wanderings of ways. The life may be relatively correct, but the heart cold and unresponsive. It is possible to be externally at peace; yet, not to be enjoying intimate fellowship with God.
The Revelation
“And the Lord appeared unto him the same night.” How promptly God acts! “The same night”! This movement in the right direction brought immediately a fresh revelation of Jehovah to Isaac. It is ever thus in spiritual experiences. Even if the worst should happen and God be forced, because of sin and departure, to chastise His people, His promise is precious and true, “But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find Him, if thou seek Him with all thy heart and with all thy soul” (Deut. 4:29).
Isaac’s experiences were in many respects similar to those of his father Abraham. There was not the constant change in those early times that we find today. Life in general was quite stereotyped in those early centuries of human history. In certain respects, notwithstanding, Isaac was very different from Abraham. Isaac’s life was more settled; his years of wandering were few, only from eight to ten. After those years he returned to his former place of abode. Abraham was a pilgrim and a stranger from the time he was called out of Ur of the Chaldees.
This difference should also be noted, Abraham was a stronger character than Isaac. He dug wells and no one dared to take them from him. In fact, in this very matter, he reproved Abimelech. Isaac in contrast was driven by the enemy from well to well until the enemy, the Philistines, felt that they had room enough for themselves. Isaac accepted, even in the land that God had promised him, what others had left.
After Isaac’s return and the revelation of God to him, we read, “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.” There was room found here, so immediately he consolidated his claims to the territory. His spiritual life was properly regulated, he raised an altar to the Lord. His domestic life was enjoyed, he pitched a tent. Furthermore, his industrial life found better expression, his servants digged a well which was not disputed.
The Ratification
“And the Lord … 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.”
Here Jehovah, the covenant-keeping God, confirms to Isaac the covenant made to his father Abraham.
“Then Abimelech went to him from Gerar, and Ahuzzeth one of his friends (probably his prime minister), and Phichol the chief captain of his army … And they said, … Let there be now an oath betwixt us, even betwixt us and thee, and let us make a covenant with thee; That thou wilt do us no hurt, … 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.”
It should be understood that the appellation Abimelech (meaning royal father) was probably a title given to royalty and was similar to the title Pharoah given to the Egyptian kings. Consequently, the Abimelech that deals with Isaac is in all probability a different person to the one who dealt with Abraham in chapter 20.
First, we read, “The Philistines envied him.” We then read, “The herdmen of Gerar did strive with Isaac’s herdmen, … And he called the name of the well Esek (strife): because they strove with him” (Vv. 14 and 20).
God’s preservation and blessing had increased Isaac’s power and prestige until Abimelech said unto him, “Thou art mightier than we” (V. 16).
It is obvious that Isaac’s strength and influence disturbed the authorities at Gerar, and led them into a peace-pact with the Patriarch.
There, on the exact spot where Abraham his father had entered into an oath, Isaac did likewise.