Pastor’s Bible Reading Schedule: Genesis 25-26; Psalm 6; Luke 10
Devotional Thought:
Title: “Your Kids are Watching.”
History does indeed seem to repeat itself. In fact, Genesis 26 is so much like Genesis 12 that Moses finds it necessary to say it was not the earlier famine of Abraham’s time. Isaac took the first step by heading to Abimelech in Gerar. We can assume that Isaac had in mind to leave as quickly as possible for Egypt. That’s why the Lord intervened to say, “Do not go down to Egypt; live in the land where I tell you to live.” Then Isaac heard the words that God proclaimed repeatedly to Abraham about the land, the offspring, and the blessing. As I noted last night in the evening service, Abimelech was likely a title (like Pharaoh) rather than a name, so this character was likely a son or grandson of Abraham’s Abimelech. This fascinating chapter repeats incident after incident that parallels the life of Abraham. This story should humble any and all parents regarding what all your children are catching that you never intended to teach. We certainly wonder about Isaac’s obedience. He didn’t go to Egypt, but he didn’t seem to stay in Canaan either, since he settled in Gerar. What we possibly have here is a prophetic interpretation of what constituted Isaac’s promised land shown particularly in the phrase “all these lands.” Although they were Abimelech-owned at the moment, they would some day belong to Isaac’s descendants, so God considered it legitimate ground. It seems fine that he stayed in Gerar.
In spite of the problems this same lie caused Abraham, Isaac passed Rebekah off as his sister and for precisely the same reasons. This deception apparently went on for a while. The text says that Isaac had been there a long time before Abimelech saw their romantic maneuvering and really figured out what had happened. In the case of both Abraham and Isaac, repentance came only through the accusation of ungodly rulers. Only when caught in a lie did Abraham and Isaac admit the truth. It is so important that we live sensitive to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to confront us regarding right and wrong. Unfortunately, these Philistine kings were seen in a better light than the Hebrew patriarchs. At first glance Abimelech understood the potential moral disaster of this deception. He seems to be something similar to Cyrus of Persia, a moral and relatively righteous leader who governed a powerful pagan people. So Isaac, like Abraham, received God’s great promise, but in fear he deceived Abimelech and made a mockery of the promised blessing. Fear mocks faith; however, a person who truly believes God’s promises will obey His statutes, precepts, and commands.” Will your children grow up to be people of faith or will they resort to trusting their own flesh in tough situations? What are you modeling for them as an example to follow?
Personal Prayer Requests:
- Lord, please help me to trust you in every situation. May I model for my children and grandchildren the life of faith you intend for each of your children.
- Lord, please help me to have a testimony before the world that shows a right opinion and illustration of who you are and what you are really like.
- Lord, please help me to trust what you have in store for me in the future. May I never lose sight of the promises of the future.