Genesis 26 God’s Promise

God promised Abraham that his descendants would inherit the land of Canaan. God’s promise is now given directly to Isaac.

One thing that we know for a fact is that you can’t get to Heaven on your parent’s faith. You have to have faith of your own. You have to accept God at His word, trust Him with ALL your life, surrender your will to His. Ask Him to be YOUR God. Isaac is in that place.

Isaac has to decide for himself if he trusts God. If he is willing to listen to His commands. To follow His will. We don’t get a lot of moments where we see him doing just that, but today is one of those rare stories. We also don’t see moments of God speaking directly to Isaac, but again, we do today. Let’s join our family and see what brought us here and where to go form there.

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Isaac and his encampment grew tremendously when he inherited his abba’s possessions. His flocks and herds cover the hillside. They provide most of what Isaac’s family and the families of all his servants need. But they also require a great deal of resources; water and grazing land being chief among them. Isaac works hard to honor his abba and do things just as he would.

The last seven years have been very hard. Not a drop of rain in all those years. The first two years weren’t ideal, but everyone was able to make do with what was available. In year three, some decisions had to be made. Chief among them was finding the best water sources. Many of the wells were getting low so Isaac and his company had to go on the move. They were following the water. But their flocks and herds weren’t the only ones on the move. Compromises and cooperation were essential during this time.

The fourth and fifth years saw Isaac actually reducing his flocks and herds. The drought had decimated the wheat fields. There was nothing but dust blown by the wind where the standing wheat used to be. The grasses had also suffered. The grass was so dry it crunched as you walked on it. Finding flour for bread was nearly impossible. Occasionally caravans from other nations came through and they brought wheat. The price was so high that few could afford it. Because of the inheritance Isaac received, he was one of those few. Feeding his animals from this precious supply was more than problematic. The hardiest of the animals were kept, while the rest were slowly used for food for Isaac’s company.

Another drain on Isaac’s resources was that he NEVER said “No” to anyone in need. This quickly became known wherever he went. People came to him daily for assistance. And they never left empty handed. If he didn’t have wheat to spare, he gave them an animal that would at least fill their bellies. He gave milk goats and cows also when asked.

Years six and seven were even more challenging. Isaac’s own company was beginning to run low. The caravans still came, and Isaac was still able to purchase their goods, but there weren’t enough goods coming into the land anymore. The herds and flocks were less than half the size they were last year even. And the animals in the herds were suffering as well. They were becoming lean, had stopped producing milk, and had no young added to their numbers. In short, they were starving to death. Isaac still refused to turn anyone away, but they left with less and less as things continued on.

The day has finally come when Isaac decides he has to do something drastic. Isaac hears wailing from within his camp. He follows the sound to its source. There he finds an Ima holding her child and rocking him. The child’s body hangs lifeless in its Ima’s arms.

“What happened” Isaac asks as he pushes through the people who are gathered around the Ima and her child.

“I went to wake him, and he wouldn’t rouse. He is gone!” wails the Ima.

Isaac looks at the child and notices the sunken cheeks, stick thin arms and legs, and ribs protruding through his skin. “Why is this child so thin” he demands.

“There is not enough for all of us. My husband has to work, so he eats first. I divide what is left between the children and myself.”

Isaac looks closer at the mother. Her eyes are sunken, and even though she is wailing in grief, no tears stain her face. She has none to give. “How long has this lack been going on, and why did you not bring it to my attention” asks Isaac.

“Everyone has needs my lord. If I take more for myself, another suffers.”

Isaac’s heart breaks with this realization that his people are starving, starving to death. He doesn’t know how, but he will save his people from this slow death. Isaac puts a hand on the woman’s shoulder and gives a gentle squeeze of encouragement.

The woman winces in pain and Isaac quickly withdraws his hand. “I’m sorry. I did not mean to hurt you. Bring your child and we will honor him in death.”

Isaac leads the Ima, carrying her lifeless child, to his tent. As he nears the tent he calls out to his wife. “Rebekah!”

Rebekah quickly steps from the tent and sees Isaac’s approach. She also notices the woman following him. It takes her a moment to realize what the woman is carrying. When she does, her mouth drops open, and she runs to the woman. Rebekah reaches out to her in compassion and offers to take the child from her arms. The mother is weary from the walk across the camp and gratefully hands Rebekah the child.

“We need to prepare this child for burial” says Isaac with a heart heavy with sorrow and guilt.

“I have linen to wrap him in but not much water” Rebekah replies.

“This child deserves a decent burial. We will use the water we have and do the best we can.”

Rebekah and the child’s mother wash his body with rags dipped in the water so as not to waste a drop. As soon as they are done, they wrap him in a linen shroud. All that is left to do now is to find a place to lay him. There is a cave nearby. Isaac chooses this as the resting place of the child.

While Rebekah and the woman tend to her child, Isaac goes off on his own to think. He knows he cannot stay where he is any longer. The guilt of the child’s death hangs heavy on him. He thinks about the caravans and how, even now they are still bringing in goods. He has to move his people to their source. There is food and water there. Gerar is the first place he will try; the land of the Philistines. King Abimelec and his abba had a good relationship. Maybe they will welcome him and his company there.

As the sun begins to sink in the sky, Isaac calls the entire camp together for two purposes. The first is to lay the child to rest. The second is to announce his plan.

After everyone is in attendance, Isaac asks the parents of the child to place him in the cave. Isaac is sorry that they will be leaving this member of their family behind as they travel, but there is nothing else he can do. The company mourns with the parents for a time.

When the sounds of mourning begin to die down, Isaac stands to address the camp. His hands are raised in an effort to get the attention of everyone. Once the company falls silent, Isaac lowers his hands.

“I want to first express my deepest sympathy to the parents of this little one. I carry the weight of his death on my shoulders. I should have done something sooner. The guilt is on me.” Isaac stops for a moment and truly looks at his company. “Tomorrow morning, we are striking out for the land of Gerar. We will go slowly to conserve as much energy as possible, but we must reach the land before more of our numbers begins dropping.”

That night, while in bed, Rebekah asks Isaac; “Why Gerar?”

“Many of the caravans that bring supplies originate from there. That means that there is food to be had. Also, the king of Gerar looked kindly on my father. They even had an agreement at one time to do good to one another.”

“What if they refuse us entrance into their lands?”

“Then we will go on to Egypt.”

Satisfied with this answer Rebekah drifts off to sleep.

Morning breaks and the entire camp is readying for their journey. While the camp is being packed, Isaac divides ALL his stores that remain between the heads of households. “This will have to get us through. Each of you will be responsible for your family’s welfare. You know your family’s needs better than I do, so use it well.”

Isaac knew the camp wouldn’t be ready first thing in the morning, so moving out in the cool of the day isn’t possible. They will have to wait until the heat begins to recede before moving out. At least all is ready when the time comes.

As Isaac and company travel to Gerar, three more deaths mark their passage. These deaths were given as much dignity as possible, but the urgent need for water precludes the custom of washing the dead. Each of these members are laid in caves along the way. There is nothing more that can be done.

A month passes before Isaac sets foot on the hills of Gerar. He was seeing signs of water as they neared the territory. The trees were green and even the grasses were less burnt. “Water” breathes Isaac in relief.

Shouts of joy go up through the company as they spot a beautiful lake. The flocks had to be actively deterred from rushing headlong into it. This would be where Isaac and company would make camp for the night. The animals would be able to eat their fill, and everyone would be refreshed by the water. Tomorrow he would search out the king of Gerar.

As Isaac was on his way to Gerar to see Abimelech, king of the Philistines, the Lord spoke with him. This was not something that happened on a daily basis, or even nearly as often as the Lord spoke with his abba, but Isaac knew his God’s voice. He had learned to trust him completely while on the mountain with his abba.

“Do not go down to Egypt; dwell in the land of which I shall tell you” (verse 2b).

Isaac wondered what land that would be. Would God lead them somewhere else? He hoped not, for his people were weary and needed rest, and FOOD.

Isaac didn’t have to wonder long, for the Lord gave him the answer.

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” (verses 3-5).

Isaac was overcome with joy! He dropped to his knees right where he was and praised the Lord. When he felt a release in his spirit, he stood up and continued his trip to Gerar. He KNEW that this was the place they were to stay, therefore, he KNEW Abimelech would welcome him.

(to be continued)

There is more to Isaac’s time in Gerar, but my brain hurts, and my body is tired. Tomorrow, we will see him being pushed about the land. Isaac takes it all in stride. His kids don’t; at least in my imagination.

Isaac would ride on the promise God made to Abraham, but it is AWESOME to see that Isaac had his own relationship with the Lord. He had to have learned of the Lord at his father’s knee. I have no doubt that his sons learned at his knee. One of them learned better than the other.

Father God, thank You for my parents. Thank You that they taught me of You. I don’t know if I would have ever met You without them. Please bring the lessons I taught my children back to their minds. Let those moments lead them back to You. My faith won’t save them but I’m clinging to Your promises concerning raising them in Your ways.