Genesis 26:24
and that night the LORD appeared to him and said, "I am the God of your father Abraham. Do not be afraid, for I am with you. I will bless you and multiply your descendants for the sake of My servant Abraham."
That night
This phrase sets the scene for a divine encounter, emphasizing the immediacy and intimacy of God's communication with Isaac. In the Hebrew context, night often symbolizes a time of reflection and revelation. It is during these quiet, solitary moments that God frequently chooses to reveal Himself, as seen in other biblical narratives such as Jacob's dream at Bethel (Genesis 28:11-15).

the LORD appeared
The Hebrew word for "appeared" is "ra'ah," which means to see or to be seen. This indicates a visible manifestation of God, a theophany, which is a significant event in the Old Testament. The LORD, or "Yahweh," is the covenant name of God, underscoring His faithfulness and personal relationship with His people. This appearance reaffirms God's ongoing presence and commitment to Isaac, as He had with Abraham.

to him
The personal nature of this encounter is highlighted by the direct address to Isaac. It signifies that God's promises and blessings are not just for the patriarchs of the past but are personally extended to each generation. This personal relationship is a cornerstone of the faith journey, emphasizing that God knows and calls each individual by name.

and said
The act of speaking denotes communication and relationship. In the biblical narrative, God's words are powerful and creative, bringing about change and establishing covenants. This divine speech acts as a reassurance and a directive, guiding Isaac in his journey.

I am the God of your father Abraham
This declaration connects Isaac to the covenantal promises made to Abraham. The phrase "I am" is reminiscent of God's self-revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:14, indicating His eternal and unchanging nature. By identifying Himself as the God of Abraham, God reaffirms the continuity of His promises and the faithfulness of His character.

Do not be afraid
Fear is a common human response to the unknown or to divine encounters. God's command to "not be afraid" is a frequent biblical assurance, found in various contexts where God calls His people to trust in His presence and provision. This command encourages Isaac to rely on God's strength rather than his own.

for I am with you
The promise of God's presence is central to the biblical narrative. It is a source of comfort and strength, assuring Isaac that he is not alone in his journey. This echoes God's promise to be with His people throughout the Scriptures, culminating in the New Testament with the coming of Emmanuel, "God with us" (Matthew 1:23).

I will bless you
Blessing in the Hebrew context, "barak," encompasses prosperity, protection, and divine favor. God's promise to bless Isaac is a continuation of the Abrahamic covenant, ensuring that Isaac will experience God's goodness and provision in his life.

and multiply your descendants
This promise of multiplication is a direct reference to the covenant with Abraham, where God promised to make his descendants as numerous as the stars (Genesis 15:5). It signifies not only physical progeny but also the growth of a people who will carry forward God's covenant and purposes.

for the sake of My servant Abraham
The term "servant" denotes a relationship of obedience and faithfulness. Abraham's faith and obedience to God are the reasons for the blessings extended to Isaac. This highlights the biblical principle of generational blessings and the impact of one’s faithfulness on future generations. It underscores the importance of living a life that honors God, knowing that it can have lasting effects beyond one's lifetime.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Isaac
The son of Abraham and Sarah, Isaac is the central figure in this passage. He is the recipient of God's promise and blessing, continuing the covenant established with his father, Abraham.

2. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant-keeping God of Israel, who appears to Isaac to reaffirm the promises made to Abraham. The Hebrew name used here, Yahweh, emphasizes God's eternal and unchanging nature.

3. Abraham
Isaac's father, who was the original recipient of God's covenant promises. His faith and obedience are the reasons God continues to bless Isaac.

4. Beersheba
The location where this event takes place. It is a significant place in the patriarchal accounts, often associated with God's appearances and covenants.

5. The Covenant
The divine promise of blessing and multiplication of descendants, which God reiterates to Isaac, linking it to the covenant made with Abraham.
Teaching Points
God's Faithfulness Across Generations
God's promise to Isaac is a testament to His faithfulness to His covenant with Abraham. Believers can trust in God's unchanging nature and His commitment to fulfill His promises across generations.

The Importance of Legacy
Isaac's blessing is directly linked to Abraham's faithfulness. This highlights the impact of a godly legacy and encourages believers to live in a way that honors God and blesses future generations.

Divine Reassurance in Times of Fear
God's command to Isaac, "Do not be afraid," is a reminder that His presence dispels fear. Believers are encouraged to rely on God's presence and promises in times of uncertainty.

Blessing for the Sake of Others
God's blessing to Isaac is "for the sake of My servant Abraham." This teaches that God's blessings are not just for personal benefit but are often given to fulfill His greater purposes and to bless others.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does God's reaffirmation of His promise to Isaac in Genesis 26:24 reflect His character and faithfulness?

2. In what ways can we see the impact of Abraham's faith and obedience in Isaac's life and God's dealings with him?

3. How can believers today find comfort in God's words, "Do not be afraid, for I am with you," especially in challenging circumstances?

4. What are some practical ways we can ensure that we are leaving a godly legacy for future generations?

5. How does understanding that God's blessings are often for the sake of others change the way we view and use the blessings we receive?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 12:1-3
This passage outlines the original covenant God made with Abraham, promising to make him a great nation and to bless all families of the earth through him. This connection highlights the continuity of God's promises from Abraham to Isaac.

Genesis 15:1
God tells Abraham not to be afraid, similar to His reassurance to Isaac. This connection emphasizes God's consistent message of comfort and assurance to His people.

Hebrews 11:8-12
This New Testament passage reflects on the faith of Abraham and Sarah, which is foundational to the blessings Isaac receives. It underscores the importance of faith in receiving God's promises.
Contrasts in CharacterJ. Parker, D. D.Genesis 26:17-33
Generations United by Common Labour and JoyHomilistGenesis 26:17-33
Isaac's Peace-Loving NatureA. G. Mercer, D. D.Genesis 26:17-33
Isaac's WellsJ. Parker, D. D.Genesis 26:17-33
LessonsG. Hughes, B. D.Genesis 26:17-33
LessonsG. Hughes, B. D.Genesis 26:17-33
LessonsG. Hughes, B. D.Genesis 26:17-33
Malice Overcome by ZealW. Hardman, LL. D.Genesis 26:17-33
Old and New Wells to be DugA. Fuller.Genesis 26:17-33
Old Wells Dug OutDr. Talmage.Genesis 26:17-33
The Permanence of the HelpfulGenesis 26:17-33
LessonsG. Hughes, B. D.Genesis 26:23-25
Line Upon Line, in God's TeachingR.A. Redford Genesis 26
People
Abimelech, Ahuzzath, Bashemath, Basmath, Beeri, Elon, Esau, Isaac, Judith, Phichol, Rebekah
Places
Beersheba, Egypt, Esek, Gerar, Rehoboth, Shibah, Sitnah, Valley of Gerar
Topics
Abraham's, Afraid, Appeared, Appeareth, Bless, Blessed, Blessing, Descendants, During, Fear, Increase, Increased, Multiplied, Multiply, Sake, Seed, Servant, Vision
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Genesis 26:24

     1245   God of the fathers
     1348   covenant, with Abraham
     5078   Abraham, significance
     6160   fathers, sin of
     8344   servanthood, in believers

Genesis 26:23-25

     8626   worship, places

Library
The First Apostle of Peace at any Price
'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
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

"Thou Art Now the Blessed of the Lord. "
"Thou art now the blessed of the Lord."--Genesis 26:29. THESE words truly describe the position of many whom I address at this time. There are hundreds here upon whom my eye can rest, and to any one of whom I might point with this finger, or rather, to whom I might extend this hand, to give a hearty shake, and say, "Thou art now the blessed of the Lord." I need not say it in the same spirit, nor for the same reason, that the Philistines did. They had behaved basely towards Isaac, and now that he
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 38: 1892

Tithing
There are few subjects on which the Lord's own people are more astray than on the subject of giving. They profess to take the Bible as their own rule of faith and practice, and yet in the matter of Christian finance, the vast majority have utterly ignored its plain teachings and have tried every substitute the carnal mind could devise; therefore it is no wonder that the majority of Christian enterprises in the world today are handicapped and crippled through the lack of funds. Is our giving to be
Arthur W. Pink—Tithing

Whether Every Lie is a Sin?
Objection 1: It seems that not every lie is a sin. For it is evident that the evangelists did not sin in the writing of the Gospel. Yet they seem to have told something false: since their accounts of the words of Christ and of others often differ from one another: wherefore seemingly one of them must have given an untrue account. Therefore not every lie is a sin. Objection 2: Further, no one is rewarded by God for sin. But the midwives of Egypt were rewarded by God for a lie, for it is stated that
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Elucidation.
The conduct of Father Abraham, although not approved of by Inspiration, but simply recorded (Gen. xxvi. 7), gave early Christians an opinion that the wicked may be justly foiled, by equivocation and deception, for the preservation of innocence or the life of the innocent. In such case the person deceived, they might argue, is not injured, but benefited (Gen. xxvi. 10), being saved from committing violence and murder. The Corinthian maiden was accustomed to be veiled (as Tertullian intimates), and
Hippolytus—The Extant Works and Fragments of Hippolytus

An Obscured vision
(Preached at the opening of the Winona Lake Bible Conference.) TEXT: "Where there is no vision, the people perish."--Proverbs 29:18. It is not altogether an easy matter to secure a text for such an occasion as this; not because the texts are so few in number but rather because they are so many, for one has only to turn over the pages of the Bible in the most casual way to find them facing him at every reading. Feeling the need of advice for such a time as this, I asked a number of my friends who
J. Wilbur Chapman—And Judas Iscariot

The Plan for the Coming of Jesus.
God's Darling, Psalms 8:5-8.--the plan for the new man--the Hebrew picture by itself--difference between God's plan and actual events--one purpose through breaking plans--the original plan--a starting point--getting inside. Fastening a Tether inside: the longest way around--the pedigree--the start. First Touches on the Canvas: the first touch, Genesis 3:15.--three groups of prediction--first group: to Abraham, Genesis 12:1-3; to Isaac, Genesis 26:1-5; to Jacob, Genesis 28:10-15; through Jacob,
S. D. Gordon—Quiet Talks about Jesus

And to Holy David Indeed it Might More Justly be Said...
22. And to holy David indeed it might more justly be said, that he ought not to have been angry; no, not with one however ungrateful and rendering evil for good; yet if, as man, anger did steal over him, he ought not to have let it so prevail, that he should swear to do a thing which either by giving way to his rage he should do, or by breaking his oath leave undone. But to the other, set as he was amid the libidinous frenzy of the Sodomites, who would dare to say, "Although thy guests in thine own
St. Augustine—Against Lying

Covenanting Performed in Former Ages with Approbation from Above.
That the Lord gave special token of his approbation of the exercise of Covenanting, it belongs to this place to show. His approval of the duty was seen when he unfolded the promises of the Everlasting Covenant to his people, while they endeavoured to perform it; and his approval thereof is continually seen in his fulfilment to them of these promises. The special manifestations of his regard, made to them while attending to the service before him, belonged to one or other, or both, of those exhibitions
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

Jesus Sets Out from Judæa for Galilee.
Subdivision B. At Jacob's Well, and at Sychar. ^D John IV. 5-42. ^d 5 So he cometh to a city of Samaria, called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. 6 and Jacob's well was there. [Commentators long made the mistake of supposing that Shechem, now called Nablous, was the town here called Sychar. Sheckem lies a mile and a half west of Jacob's well, while the real Sychar, now called 'Askar, lies scarcely half a mile north of the well. It was a small town, loosely called
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Appendix ii. Philo of Alexandria and Rabbinic Theology.
(Ad. vol. i. p. 42, note 4.) In comparing the allegorical Canons of Philo with those of Jewish traditionalism, we think first of all of the seven exegetical canons which are ascribed to Hillel. These bear chiefly the character of logical deductions, and as such were largely applied in the Halakhah. These seven canons were next expanded by R. Ishmael (in the first century) into thirteen, by the analysis of one of them (the 5th) into six, and the addition of this sound exegetical rule, that where two
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Sundry Sharp Reproofs
This doctrine draws up a charge against several sorts: 1 Those that think themselves good Christians, yet have not learned this art of holy mourning. Luther calls mourning a rare herb'. Men have tears to shed for other things, but have none to spare for their sins. There are many murmurers, but few mourners. Most are like the stony ground which lacked moisture' (Luke 8:6). We have many cry out of hard times, but they are not sensible of hard hearts. Hot and dry is the worst temper of the body. Sure
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

The Section Chap. I. -iii.
The question which here above all engages our attention, and requires to be answered, is this: Whether that which is reported in these chapters did, or did not, actually and outwardly take place. The history of the inquiries connected with this question is found most fully in Marckius's "Diatribe de uxore fornicationum," Leyden, 1696, reprinted in the Commentary on the Minor Prophets by the same author. The various views may be divided into three classes. 1. It is maintained by very many interpreters,
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Genesis
The Old Testament opens very impressively. In measured and dignified language it introduces the story of Israel's origin and settlement upon the land of Canaan (Gen.--Josh.) by the story of creation, i.-ii. 4a, and thus suggests, at the very beginning, the far-reaching purpose and the world-wide significance of the people and religion of Israel. The narrative has not travelled far till it becomes apparent that its dominant interests are to be religious and moral; for, after a pictorial sketch of
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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