Mar 24, 2024 "Blessed Life" (Genesis 26:14-30)

• Blessed Life

  Genesis 26: 14-30

   

  Isaac was a blessed man. God blessed him not because he was a good man, but because of God's promise to Abraham.

   

  Galatians 3:14 ESV

  [14] so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.

   

  We are truly blessed like Isaac.

   

  Isaac fully knew he was blessed by God.

   

  Genesis 26:14-15 ESV

  [14] He had possessions of flocks and herds and many servants, so that the Philistines envied him. [15] (Now the Philistines had stopped and filled with earth all the wells that his father’s servants had dug in the days of Abraham his father.)

   

  The Philistines don't steal water from Isaac but fill up the wells so he cannot use them. The Philistines saw Isaac as a threat and drove him away. Actually, Isaac was so powerful that he could have fought the Philistines. Instead, he moved onto another place to avoid violence.

   

   

  Genesis 26:17-18 ESV

  [17] So Isaac departed from there and encamped in the Valley of Gerar and settled there.

  [18] And Isaac dug again the wells of water that had been dug in the days of Abraham his father, which the Philistines had stopped after the death of Abraham. And he gave them the names that his father had given them.

   

  Isaac did not care about the wells but kept his focus on God. Isaac knew that God blessed Abraham and knew God would also bless him.

   

  We need to remember who we are in God through Christ's sacrifice. We have a blessed status.

   

  Isaac was a person who never gave up. Even after the Philistines filled up several wells at different times, Isaac kept digging wells until he found a place where he could settle. Many heroes in the Bible had to wait a long time before God kept His promise. They had to endure much suffering and wait for God to fulfill His promise. They did endure and witnessed God's goodness.

   

  We often struggle with problems and don't see any solutions. Our faith is tested and we may question if we should continue. Yet, if we keep our faith, God will be faithful.

   

  Genesis 26:26-28 ESV

  [26] When Abimelech went to him from Gerar with Ahuzzath his adviser and Phicol the commander of his army,

  [27] Isaac said to them, “Why have you come to me, seeing that you hate me and have sent me away from you?”

  [28] They said, “We see plainly that the Lord has been with you. So we said, let there be a sworn pact between us, between you and us, and let us make a covenant with you,

   

  Here we see God working. The Philistines realize that God is truly blessing Isaac. Isaac accepts their offer of peace even though the Philistines were the ones who were in the wrong. It was Isaac's actions that allowed the Philistines to see God at work. Isaac was honest and hard working and sought peace.

   

  We, too, need to be like Isaac and seek God 

  Stronger Good Grace Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me

  
  

"The Life of Blessed People"(Genesis 26:12-30)

Genesis 26:12-30

 

Isaac was a blessed man. He worked hard and God blessed him. 

 

And Isaac sowed in that land and reaped in the same year a hundredfold. The Lord blessed him, and the man became rich, and gained more and more until he became very wealthy.

Genesis 26:12‭-‬13 ESV

 

This blessing came from God, and Isaac understood this. This was promised from God to Isaac and his offspring.

 

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,

Genesis 26:3‭-‬4 ESV

 

Unfortunately not everyone appreciates other people’s good fortunes. As was the case with Isaac. He was so blessed that others became jealous and felt threatened by how much he had. The Philistines even took measures to halt Isaac's success.

 

He had possessions of flocks and herds and many servants, so that the Philistines envied him. (Now the Philistines had stopped and filled with earth all the wells that his father’s servants had dug in the days of Abraham his father.)

Genesis 26:14‭-‬15 ESV

 

And Abimelech said to Isaac, “Go away from us, for you are much mightier than we.”

Genesis 26:16 ESV

 

Isaac was stronger than Abimelech, yet Isaac leaves. He could have sought violence as a means to keep his home, but he sought peace. Isaac believed God would do what was needed to continue to bless him.

 

Isaac kept digging wells and kept persevering despite all the setbacks and hateful actions directed towards him. We also need endurance to see the fruits of God.

 

For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.

Hebrews 10:36 ESV

 

Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.

Revelation 14:12 ESV

 

In time, Abimelech sees that God has blessed Isaac and it is foolish to have Isaac as an enemy. This God of Isaac was powerful and faithful. This was a god who would not abandon his servant, Isaac, so it is much better to have Isaac as an ally.

 

They said, “We see plainly that the Lord has been with you. So we said, let there be a sworn pact between us, between you and us, and let us make a covenant with you, that you will do us no harm, just as we have not touched you and have done to you nothing but good and have sent you away in peace. You are now the blessed of the Lord .” So he made them a feast, and they ate and drank.

Genesis 26:28‭-‬30 ESV

 

Abimelech acted as the world does when it sees someone who is successful. The world feels threatened and works to stop the success before the blessed person becomes too powerful. Who wants a neighbor who can destroy or conquer you easily and especially one you cannot possibly defend against? When Abimelech sees that he cannot defeat Isaac because of his god, he seeks a peaceful relationship.

 

Isaac also realized that his God was stronger than his enemies. He also realized that the desire of God is that we make peace with everyone. Instead of seeking out revenge or gain through violence, Isaac seeks peace. Isaac could have a feast because God was being glorified through this peaceful settlement. Jesus tells us later in the new testament that we are to love our enemies. It is not enough to make treaties or official agreements; we need to love our enemies. This is how we become sons and daughters of God. 

 

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.  For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?  And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?

Matthew 5:43‭-‬47 ESV

Let us be like Isaac and remember where our blessings and strength come from, so that we can forgive others and make peace with everyone. In this way, God may be glorified as we may behave like sons and daughters of the Lord most high.

Worship Songs,

Majesty

Agnus Dei

Wonderful, Merciful Savior

At the Cross (I bow my knee)