(Bible Study - February 2000) Genesis 26 provides us with a valuable insight into the mind of Isaac. Despite a famine in the land of Canaan, Isaac had been told by God he should not go to Egypt to sustain himself but was to remain in the land and sojourn there. Consequently he suffered the privations of the famine. Yet Isaac dwelt in Gerar with an assurance from God that he would be blessed.
It is against this background that Isaac encounters problems.
Copying his father Abraham’s behavior, he tells a half truth about his wife and is consequently reproved by Abimelech. Fearing Issac and his might, Abimelech the Philistine forces him away from Gerar. The record shows the Philistines were envious of the way in which Isaac’s herds had multiplied. Thus scripture presents us with the picture of a mighty, prosperous, man.
Strife about water
Having been forced to a new area, Isaac’s servants open two wells that Abraham
had originally dug. On both occasions, the herdsmen of Gerar strove with them. On both
occasions Isaac’s servants moved off to find another place to dig for water.
The strife about water indicates the possession of wells of water was a major issue at that time. Without water the flocks and herds would perish.
We know the Philistines feared Isaac because of his prosperity and might -- we have noticed they said that Isaac was mightier than they. Why was it, then, that Isaac’s servants were so willing to move off to dig another well rather than stay and defend the well they had dug?
Conscientious objection in everyday living
The record is telling us that, despite his power, Isaac was willing to suffer wrong,
move away, and dig new wells rather than resort to violence. He had trained his servants
to share his values. Therefore they complied with his wishes. Isaac and his servants had
learnt that to be sojourners in the land required they be willing to "turn the
other cheek."
As strangers and pilgrims
We are called to be strangers and pilgrims, and do not view our home country as our
place of rest. We owe our allegiance to the heavenly Jerusalem. These principles govern
our attitude to military service, politics and allegiance to worldly organizations. The
example of Isaac, however, shows us that our stand should affect our everyday living. Our
realization that we are indeed strangers and pilgrims should affect the way we react to
circumstances in all aspects of our lives. We cannot wait for our military call-up papers
before we show that we are not part of this world’s system.
Even though Isaac’s weakness allowed him to deceive Abimelech regarding Rebekah, he still understood he "looked for a city whose builder and maker is God." Likewise, despite our shortcomings, we must not fall into the trap of resigning ourselves to compromise in our commitment to Christ because of shortcomings in our walk.
Peter Forbes