Genesis Chapter 26 - Setting An Example

Like father, like son. Isaac displayed some of the same qualities of his father Abraham, both his strengths and weaknesses. During a famine, Isaac went to Gerar, the land of the Philistines, whose king was Abimelech. The Lord instructed him to stay there during the famine, rather than going to Egypt. He stayed, but he was worried about being killed because of his beautiful wife. So Isaac lied about Rebekah, calling her his sister rather than his wife. Sound familiar? He was reprimanded by King Abimelech just as his father had been.


Isaac was very successful in his farming endeavors, as was his father, and he became very wealthy. He had to move to new land because he became too powerful for Abimelech’s territory in Gerar. As Isaac moved, he dug wells and built altars in worship to the Lord, carrying on the practice of his father, Abraham. Like father, like son. Because Isaac continued to grow in wealth, the Philistines were jealous, and would claim the wells that Isaac had dug out. Rather than go to battle with them, Isaac chose to display patience and keep peace by picking up and moving on. Because of these character traits, he eventually won the respect of the Philistines.

To what lengths will we go to keep peace? Are we willing to surrender our "rights" to win friends, or do we choose to enter into conflicts and make enemies? I have to admit it is much easier to battle for my "rights" than to swallow words, turn, and walk away. But if I desire to be an instrument of God’s peace, then I must learn there are times to give up my rights. God will honor that, just as He did Isaac’s patience and perseverance.

Esau, Isaac’s first born, became a source of grief to his parents. Complete details are not given, but we can assume his choice to marry pagan women led to the disappointment his parents felt. What a contrast between Isaac, a man of patience, and Esau, the impetuous son. Hebrews 12:14-17 is a good summary of the contrasts in lifestyles of the two sons: "Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. After, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. He could bring about no change of mind, though he sought the blessing with tears." Which son do we pattern our lifestyle after?

What attributes and values are we passing on to our children? We should strive to live lives of integrity so that our children will have role models before them to imitate. We will be blessed for the wise choices we make. Wisdom is simply a matter of seeing things from God’s perspective. Let us choose wisdom and live a life pleasing to God, and leave a godly example for our children.