Genesis 26: Isaac's Covenant and Challenges
And there was a famine in the land, beside the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went unto Abimelech king of the Philistines unto Gerar.
And the Lord appeared unto him, and said, Go not down into Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of:
Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father;
And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed;
Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.
And Isaac dwelt in Gerar:
And the men of the place asked him of his wife; and he said, She is my sister: for he feared to say, She is my wife; lest, said he, the men of the place should kill me for Rebekah; because she was fair to look upon.
And it came to pass, when he had been there a long time, that Abimelech king of the Philistines looked out at a window, and saw, and, behold, Isaac was sporting with Rebekah his wife.
And Abimelech called Isaac, and said, Behold, of a surety she is thy wife: and how saidst thou, She is my sister? And Isaac said unto him, Because I said, Lest I die for her.
And Abimelech said, What is this thou hast done unto us? one of the people might lightly have lien with thy wife, and thou shouldest have brought guiltiness upon us.
And Abimelech charged all his people, saying, He that toucheth this man or his wife shall surely be put to death.
Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the Lord blessed him.
And the man waxed great, and went forward, and grew until he became very great:
For he had possession of flocks, and possession of herds, and great store of servants: and the Philistines envied him.
For all the wells which his father’s servants had digged in the days of Abraham his father, the Philistines had stopped them, and filled them with earth.
And Abimelech said unto Isaac, Go from us; for thou art much mightier than we.
And Isaac departed thence, and pitched his tent in the valley of Gerar, and dwelt there.
And Isaac digged again the wells of water, which they had digged in the days of Abraham his father; for the Philistines had stopped them after the death of Abraham: and he called their names after the names by which his father had called them.
And Isaac’s servants digged in the valley, and found there a well of springing water.
And the herdmen of Gerar did strive with Isaac’s herdmen, saying, The water is ours: and he called the name of the well Esek; because they strove with him.
And they digged another well, and strove for that also: and he called the name of it Sitnah.
And he removed from thence, and digged another well; and for that they strove not: and he called the name of it Rehoboth; and he said, For now the Lord hath made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land.
And he went up from thence to Beer–sheba.
And the Lord appeared unto him the same night, and said, I am the God of Abraham thy father: fear not, for I am with thee, and will bless thee, and multiply thy seed for my servant Abraham’s sake.
And he builded an altar there, and called upon the name of the Lord, and pitched his tent there: and there Isaac’s servants digged a well.
Then Abimelech went to him from Gerar, and Ahuzzath one of his friends, and Phichol the chief captain of his army.
And Isaac said unto them, Wherefore come ye to me, seeing ye hate me, and have sent me away from you?
And they said, We saw certainly that the Lord was with thee: and we said, Let there be now an oath betwixt us, even betwixt us and thee, and let us make a covenant with thee;
That thou wilt do us no hurt, as we have not touched thee, and as we have done unto thee nothing but good, and have sent thee away in peace: thou art now the blessed of the Lord.
And he made them a feast, and they did eat and drink.
And they rose up betimes in the morning, and sware one to another: and Isaac sent them away, and they departed from him in peace.
And it came to pass the same day, that Isaac’s servants came, and told him concerning the well which they had digged, and said unto him, We have found water.
And he called it Shebah: therefore the name of the city is Beer–sheba unto this day.
And Esau was forty years old when he took to wife Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Bashemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite:
Which were a grief of mind unto Isaac and to Rebekah.
Genesis 26 focuses on Isaac's life, highlighting God's faithfulness in renewing His covenant promises to him amidst challenges such as famine and conflicts with the Philistines. It also foreshadows future family strife through Esau's choices. This chapter reveals God's unwavering commitment to His promises, even when His chosen people exhibit human weakness and fear.
God's Covenant Renewed (Genesis 26:1-5)
The chapter opens with a famine in the land, distinct from the one that drove Abraham to Egypt (Genesis 12). God instructs Isaac not to go to Egypt, but to settle in Gerar, the land of the Philistines, ruled by King Abimelech. Whether this is the same Abimelech who interacted with Abraham (Genesis 20-21) is debated among scholars. Regardless, God appears to Isaac, reaffirming the covenant He made with Abraham, promising land, countless descendants, and a blessing to all nations through his offspring. This echoes Genesis 26:3-4, where God promises Isaac lands, offspring as numerous as the stars, and a blessing that would be for all the nations of the earth. This promise—personal, national, and international—was unconditionally made to Abraham and passed on to Isaac despite his faithlessness. God’s commitment to keeping his covenant remains steadfast.
Isaac's Fear and Deception (Genesis 26:6-11)
Following in his father Abraham's footsteps, Isaac, dwelling in Gerar, fears for his life because of Rebekah's beauty. He deceives the locals by claiming she is his sister, mirroring Abraham's actions with Sarah. This lie is exposed when King Abimelech witnesses Isaac and Rebekah's intimacy. Abimelech, angered by the potential consequences of Isaac's deception, rebukes him and warns his people against harming Isaac or Rebekah. Despite Isaac's fear and lack of faith, God's protection is evident, demonstrating His commitment to His covenant and ensuring the continuation of the promised lineage. This account sounds familiar because Isaac’s father Abraham tried the same trick with Sarah (twice!)—with similar results. It is ironic that in the midst of a scene of Isaac’s fear and unfaithfulness, we find a repetition of God’s covenant to him.
Blessing and Conflict (Genesis 26:12-22)
God blesses Isaac abundantly, granting him a hundredfold harvest during the famine. Isaac's wealth and prosperity provoke envy among the Philistines, who attempt to undermine him by stopping up the wells he had dug. In an agrarian society, wells indicated dominion. Owning one meant that you essentially governed the surrounding area. Rather than quarrel over specific wells, however, Isaac avoided conflict by constantly moving and digging new wells (Genesis 26:19-21). Despite the Philistines' hostility, Isaac perseveres, continually digging new wells until he finds one that is uncontested, which he names Rehoboth, signifying that God has made room for them to prosper in the land. God’s hand was on Isaac, so when he sowed seed in that land . . . he reaped a hundred times what was sown (Genesis 26:12). His flocks also multiplied greatly (Genesis 26:13-14).
God's Presence and Worship (Genesis 26:23-25)
Isaac moves to Beersheba, where God appears to him again, reassuring him with the words, "Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bless you and increase the number of your descendants for the sake of my servant Abraham" (Genesis 26:24). God knew fear was a problem for Isaac, so while he confirmed his promise he also confirmed his presence. In response, Isaac demonstrates faith by building an altar, calling on the name of the Lord, and settling in Beersheba. He also instructs his servants to dig a well, signifying his commitment to establishing a permanent presence in the land.
Peace Treaty with Abimelech (Genesis 26:26-33)
King Abimelech, recognizing God's blessing on Isaac, seeks a peace treaty with him. Abimelech recognized that God was with Isaac, so he sought to make a treaty with him (Genesis 26:28-29). This is a partial fulfillment of the promise to Abraham and Isaac that the Gentiles would share in the blessings of God’s people. Abimelech even referred to God as the LORD (Genesis 26:29), using God’s covenant name. Isaac agrees, and they establish a covenant of peace. This event highlights God's promise to bless those who bless Abraham's descendants and demonstrates the influence of God's people on those around them. To commemorate the treaty, Isaac names the well Shibah, meaning "oath."
Esau's Disobedience (Genesis 26:34-35)
The chapter concludes with a stark contrast to God's blessings on Isaac. Esau marries two Hittite women, causing grief and bitterness to Isaac and Rebekah. Meanwhile, even though God had been blessing Isaac, Esau was making life bitter for Isaac and Rebekah (Genesis 26:35) by marrying two Hethite women (Genesis 26:34). Rebellion against his parents’ wishes further illustrates why Esau was not fit to carry on the covenant. Rather than allowing his father to help him choose an acceptable spouse, he followed his own impulses and took not just one wife, but two from the idolatrous nations around him. These marriages, outside of the covenant people, foreshadow the challenges and conflicts that will arise within the family and further emphasize the importance of choosing a spouse within the faith. This sets the stage for the upcoming events in Genesis 27, where Jacob will deceive Isaac to receive the blessing intended for Esau.
Genesis 26 serves as a reminder of God's unwavering faithfulness to His promises, even when His people falter. It also underscores the importance of obedience and the consequences of disobedience. Isaac's story encourages us to trust in God's provision, even in times of difficulty, and to seek His guidance in all aspects of our lives.
And there was a famine in the land, beside the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went unto Abimelech king of the Philistines unto Gerar.
And the Lord appeared unto him, and said, Go not down into Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of:
Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father;
And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed;
Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.
And Isaac dwelt in Gerar:
And the men of the place asked him of his wife; and he said, She is my sister: for he feared to say, She is my wife; lest, said he, the men of the place should kill me for Rebekah; because she was fair to look upon.
And it came to pass, when he had been there a long time, that Abimelech king of the Philistines looked out at a window, and saw, and, behold, Isaac was sporting with Rebekah his wife.
And Abimelech called Isaac, and said, Behold, of a surety she is thy wife: and how saidst thou, She is my sister? And Isaac said unto him, Because I said, Lest I die for her.
And Abimelech said, What is this thou hast done unto us? one of the people might lightly have lien with thy wife, and thou shouldest have brought guiltiness upon us.
And Abimelech charged all his people, saying, He that toucheth this man or his wife shall surely be put to death.
Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the Lord blessed him.
And the man waxed great, and went forward, and grew until he became very great:
For he had possession of flocks, and possession of herds, and great store of servants: and the Philistines envied him.
For all the wells which his father’s servants had digged in the days of Abraham his father, the Philistines had stopped them, and filled them with earth.
And Abimelech said unto Isaac, Go from us; for thou art much mightier than we.
And Isaac departed thence, and pitched his tent in the valley of Gerar, and dwelt there.
And Isaac digged again the wells of water, which they had digged in the days of Abraham his father; for the Philistines had stopped them after the death of Abraham: and he called their names after the names by which his father had called them.
And Isaac’s servants digged in the valley, and found there a well of springing water.
And the herdmen of Gerar did strive with Isaac’s herdmen, saying, The water is ours: and he called the name of the well Esek; because they strove with him.
And they digged another well, and strove for that also: and he called the name of it Sitnah.
And he removed from thence, and digged another well; and for that they strove not: and he called the name of it Rehoboth; and he said, For now the Lord hath made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land.
And he went up from thence to Beer–sheba.
And the Lord appeared unto him the same night, and said, I am the God of Abraham thy father: fear not, for I am with thee, and will bless thee, and multiply thy seed for my servant Abraham’s sake.
And he builded an altar there, and called upon the name of the Lord, and pitched his tent there: and there Isaac’s servants digged a well.
Then Abimelech went to him from Gerar, and Ahuzzath one of his friends, and Phichol the chief captain of his army.
And Isaac said unto them, Wherefore come ye to me, seeing ye hate me, and have sent me away from you?
And they said, We saw certainly that the Lord was with thee: and we said, Let there be now an oath betwixt us, even betwixt us and thee, and let us make a covenant with thee;
That thou wilt do us no hurt, as we have not touched thee, and as we have done unto thee nothing but good, and have sent thee away in peace: thou art now the blessed of the Lord.
And he made them a feast, and they did eat and drink.
And they rose up betimes in the morning, and sware one to another: and Isaac sent them away, and they departed from him in peace.
And it came to pass the same day, that Isaac’s servants came, and told him concerning the well which they had digged, and said unto him, We have found water.
And he called it Shebah: therefore the name of the city is Beer–sheba unto this day.
And Esau was forty years old when he took to wife Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Bashemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite:
Which were a grief of mind unto Isaac and to Rebekah.
Genesis 26 focuses on Isaac's life, highlighting God's faithfulness in renewing His covenant promises to him amidst challenges such as famine and conflicts with the Philistines. It also foreshadows future family strife through Esau's choices. This chapter reveals God's unwavering commitment to His promises, even when His chosen people exhibit human weakness and fear.
God's Covenant Renewed (Genesis 26:1-5)
The chapter opens with a famine in the land, distinct from the one that drove Abraham to Egypt (Genesis 12). God instructs Isaac not to go to Egypt, but to settle in Gerar, the land of the Philistines, ruled by King Abimelech. Whether this is the same Abimelech who interacted with Abraham (Genesis 20-21) is debated among scholars. Regardless, God appears to Isaac, reaffirming the covenant He made with Abraham, promising land, countless descendants, and a blessing to all nations through his offspring. This echoes Genesis 26:3-4, where God promises Isaac lands, offspring as numerous as the stars, and a blessing that would be for all the nations of the earth. This promise—personal, national, and international—was unconditionally made to Abraham and passed on to Isaac despite his faithlessness. God’s commitment to keeping his covenant remains steadfast.
Isaac's Fear and Deception (Genesis 26:6-11)
Following in his father Abraham's footsteps, Isaac, dwelling in Gerar, fears for his life because of Rebekah's beauty. He deceives the locals by claiming she is his sister, mirroring Abraham's actions with Sarah. This lie is exposed when King Abimelech witnesses Isaac and Rebekah's intimacy. Abimelech, angered by the potential consequences of Isaac's deception, rebukes him and warns his people against harming Isaac or Rebekah. Despite Isaac's fear and lack of faith, God's protection is evident, demonstrating His commitment to His covenant and ensuring the continuation of the promised lineage. This account sounds familiar because Isaac’s father Abraham tried the same trick with Sarah (twice!)—with similar results. It is ironic that in the midst of a scene of Isaac’s fear and unfaithfulness, we find a repetition of God’s covenant to him.
Blessing and Conflict (Genesis 26:12-22)
God blesses Isaac abundantly, granting him a hundredfold harvest during the famine. Isaac's wealth and prosperity provoke envy among the Philistines, who attempt to undermine him by stopping up the wells he had dug. In an agrarian society, wells indicated dominion. Owning one meant that you essentially governed the surrounding area. Rather than quarrel over specific wells, however, Isaac avoided conflict by constantly moving and digging new wells (Genesis 26:19-21). Despite the Philistines' hostility, Isaac perseveres, continually digging new wells until he finds one that is uncontested, which he names Rehoboth, signifying that God has made room for them to prosper in the land. God’s hand was on Isaac, so when he sowed seed in that land . . . he reaped a hundred times what was sown (Genesis 26:12). His flocks also multiplied greatly (Genesis 26:13-14).
God's Presence and Worship (Genesis 26:23-25)
Isaac moves to Beersheba, where God appears to him again, reassuring him with the words, "Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bless you and increase the number of your descendants for the sake of my servant Abraham" (Genesis 26:24). God knew fear was a problem for Isaac, so while he confirmed his promise he also confirmed his presence. In response, Isaac demonstrates faith by building an altar, calling on the name of the Lord, and settling in Beersheba. He also instructs his servants to dig a well, signifying his commitment to establishing a permanent presence in the land.
Peace Treaty with Abimelech (Genesis 26:26-33)
King Abimelech, recognizing God's blessing on Isaac, seeks a peace treaty with him. Abimelech recognized that God was with Isaac, so he sought to make a treaty with him (Genesis 26:28-29). This is a partial fulfillment of the promise to Abraham and Isaac that the Gentiles would share in the blessings of God’s people. Abimelech even referred to God as the LORD (Genesis 26:29), using God’s covenant name. Isaac agrees, and they establish a covenant of peace. This event highlights God's promise to bless those who bless Abraham's descendants and demonstrates the influence of God's people on those around them. To commemorate the treaty, Isaac names the well Shibah, meaning "oath."
Esau's Disobedience (Genesis 26:34-35)
The chapter concludes with a stark contrast to God's blessings on Isaac. Esau marries two Hittite women, causing grief and bitterness to Isaac and Rebekah. Meanwhile, even though God had been blessing Isaac, Esau was making life bitter for Isaac and Rebekah (Genesis 26:35) by marrying two Hethite women (Genesis 26:34). Rebellion against his parents’ wishes further illustrates why Esau was not fit to carry on the covenant. Rather than allowing his father to help him choose an acceptable spouse, he followed his own impulses and took not just one wife, but two from the idolatrous nations around him. These marriages, outside of the covenant people, foreshadow the challenges and conflicts that will arise within the family and further emphasize the importance of choosing a spouse within the faith. This sets the stage for the upcoming events in Genesis 27, where Jacob will deceive Isaac to receive the blessing intended for Esau.
Genesis 26 serves as a reminder of God's unwavering faithfulness to His promises, even when His people falter. It also underscores the importance of obedience and the consequences of disobedience. Isaac's story encourages us to trust in God's provision, even in times of difficulty, and to seek His guidance in all aspects of our lives.