"Why have you come to me?" Isaac asked them. "You hated me and sent me away." Isaac asked themThe name "Isaac" in Hebrew is "Yitzchak," meaning "he will laugh" or "laughter," reflecting the joy and fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham and Sarah. Isaac's approach here is one of inquiry and discernment. In the context of ancient Near Eastern culture, asking questions was a way to seek understanding and establish motives. Isaac's question is not just a request for information but a probing of intentions, reflecting a wise and discerning heart. Why have you come to me
This phrase indicates a direct confrontation with the visitors. In the Hebrew context, "come to me" implies a personal and intentional approach. Isaac is aware of the significance of their visit, understanding that it is not a casual encounter but one with potential implications for peace or conflict. This reflects the biblical principle of seeking clarity and truth in relationships, as seen throughout Scripture. since you were hostile to me
The word "hostile" in Hebrew is "sane," which can mean to hate or be an adversary. This highlights the previous animosity and conflict between Isaac and the Philistines. Historically, this hostility was rooted in envy and fear of Isaac's growing wealth and power, as seen earlier in Genesis 26. The acknowledgment of past hostility is crucial for understanding the dynamics of reconciliation and forgiveness, themes central to the biblical narrative. and sent me away
The act of sending away, in Hebrew "shalach," often implies a forceful or authoritative dismissal. This reflects the power dynamics at play, where Isaac, despite being blessed by God, was vulnerable to the political and social pressures of the Philistines. This phrase underscores the reality of living as a sojourner in a foreign land, a recurring theme for the patriarchs, and highlights the faith required to trust in God's provision and protection despite human rejection. Persons / Places / Events 1. IsaacThe son of Abraham and Sarah, Isaac is a patriarch of Israel. In this chapter, he is dealing with conflict and reconciliation with the Philistines. 2. AbimelechThe king of the Philistines in Gerar, who initially shows hostility towards Isaac by sending him away but later seeks peace. 3. PhilistinesA group of people living in the region of Gerar, who initially oppose Isaac but later recognize God's blessing upon him. 4. GerarA region in the land of the Philistines where Isaac temporarily settles and experiences both conflict and eventual peace. 5. Conflict and ReconciliationThe event where Isaac confronts Abimelech and his men about their previous hostility, leading to a covenant of peace. Teaching Points The Importance of ReconciliationIsaac's willingness to confront past hostility and seek peace demonstrates the biblical principle of reconciliation. Christians are called to pursue peace and resolve conflicts in a godly manner. God's Blessing Recognized by OthersThe Philistines' change of heart towards Isaac shows how God's blessing can be evident to others, even those who may initially oppose us. Believers should live in such a way that God's favor is visible to all. Responding to Hostility with GraceIsaac's response to the Philistines' hostility is marked by grace and a desire for peace. Christians are encouraged to respond to opposition with grace and seek peaceful resolutions. Trusting God's ProvisionDespite being sent away, Isaac continued to prosper because of God's provision. This teaches believers to trust in God's faithfulness even when facing rejection or adversity. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Isaac's approach to conflict with Abimelech and the Philistines reflect biblical principles of reconciliation and peace-making? 2. In what ways can we, like Isaac, demonstrate God's blessing in our lives so that others may recognize it? 3. How can the account of Isaac and the Philistines encourage us to respond to hostility or opposition in our own lives? 4. What parallels can you draw between Isaac's experience in Genesis 26 and Jesus' teachings in the New Testament about dealing with enemies and seeking peace? 5. How does trusting in God's provision, as Isaac did, help us navigate situations where we feel rejected or sent away by others? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 21The account of Abraham and Abimelech, which parallels Isaac's experience, showing a recurring theme of conflict and covenant between God's people and the Philistines. Matthew 5:9Jesus' teaching on peacemakers, which can be related to Isaac's role in seeking peace despite previous hostility. Romans 12:18Paul's exhortation to live at peace with everyone, reflecting Isaac's actions in seeking reconciliation. People Abimelech, Ahuzzath, Bashemath, Basmath, Beeri, Elon, Esau, Isaac, Judith, Phichol, RebekahPlaces Beersheba, Egypt, Esek, Gerar, Rehoboth, Shibah, Sitnah, Valley of GerarTopics Driven, Hate, Hated, Hostile, Isaac, Seeing, WhereforeDictionary of Bible Themes Genesis 26:26-31 5430 oaths, human
5922 prudence 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 Links Genesis 26:27 NIVGenesis 26:27 NLTGenesis 26:27 ESVGenesis 26:27 NASBGenesis 26:27 KJV
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