On that same day, Isaac's servants came and told him about the well they had dug. "We have found water!" they told him. On that same dayThis phrase emphasizes the immediacy and divine timing of the event. In the Hebrew context, the phrase suggests a specific, significant moment orchestrated by God. The same day that Isaac made a covenant with Abimelech, God provided a tangible sign of His blessing. This highlights the theme of God's providence and faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to Isaac, just as He did with Abraham. Isaac’s servants
The mention of Isaac's servants underscores the communal and cooperative nature of life in the ancient Near East. Servants played a crucial role in the daily operations and success of a patriarchal household. Their loyalty and hard work reflect the blessings of God upon Isaac's household, as well as the importance of leadership and stewardship in fulfilling God's promises. came and told him
This action signifies the importance of communication and the sharing of good news. In the biblical narrative, the act of coming and telling is often associated with the proclamation of significant events or divine interventions. It reflects the joy and relief that comes with the discovery of water, a vital resource in the arid regions of the ancient Near East. about the well they had dug
Wells were essential for survival and prosperity in the ancient world, symbolizing life, sustenance, and God's provision. The act of digging a well required effort, perseverance, and faith, as it was not guaranteed that water would be found. This phrase highlights the human effort involved in seeking God's blessings and the partnership between divine providence and human responsibility. They said, 'We have found water!'
The exclamation marks a moment of triumph and divine blessing. Water, in the biblical context, is often a symbol of life, renewal, and God's provision. The discovery of water by Isaac's servants is a testament to God's faithfulness in providing for His people. It serves as a reminder that God meets our needs in His perfect timing, often exceeding our expectations. This joyful proclamation reflects the fulfillment of God's promises and the abundance that comes from trusting in His provision. Persons / Places / Events 1. IsaacThe son of Abraham and Sarah, Isaac is a patriarch of Israel. In Genesis 26, he is living in the land of Gerar and experiencing God's blessings despite challenges. 2. Isaac's ServantsThese are the individuals who serve Isaac and are responsible for digging wells, a crucial task for survival and prosperity in the arid regions of the Near East. 3. The WellThe well represents God's provision and blessing. In the context of Genesis 26, wells are a source of life and prosperity, often leading to disputes over ownership. 4. GerarA region in the land of the Philistines where Isaac temporarily resides. It is significant as a place where Isaac experiences both conflict and divine blessing. 5. WaterSymbolically, water often represents life, blessing, and sustenance in the Bible. The discovery of water is a sign of God's continued provision for Isaac. Teaching Points God's ProvisionJust as God provided water for Isaac, He provides for our needs today. Trust in His timing and provision, even when circumstances seem challenging. Faithfulness in LaborIsaac's servants diligently dug wells, and their efforts were rewarded. Our work, when done faithfully, can lead to blessings and provision. Divine TimingThe discovery of water "that same day" highlights God's perfect timing. We should remain patient and trust that God knows the best time to reveal His blessings. Symbolism of WaterWater is essential for life, symbolizing spiritual nourishment. Seek the "living water" that Jesus offers, which sustains us eternally. Conflict and ResolutionIsaac faced disputes over wells, yet God provided peace and resolution. In conflicts, seek God's guidance for peaceful solutions. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the discovery of water in Genesis 26:32 demonstrate God's faithfulness to Isaac, and how can we apply this understanding to our own lives? 2. In what ways does the theme of water as a symbol of life and blessing appear throughout the Bible, and how does it relate to our spiritual journey? 3. How can we remain diligent and faithful in our work, like Isaac's servants, even when immediate results are not visible? 4. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's perfect timing in your life. How did it strengthen your faith and trust in Him? 5. How can we seek and offer "living water" in our interactions with others, following the example of Jesus in John 4? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 21The account of Abraham and the well at Beersheba connects to Isaac's experiences, showing a pattern of God's provision through wells. John 4Jesus speaks to the Samaritan woman at the well, offering "living water," which connects to the theme of water as a divine provision and blessing. Psalm 23The imagery of God leading His people beside still waters reflects the peace and provision found in God's care, similar to Isaac's experience. People Abimelech, Ahuzzath, Bashemath, Basmath, Beeri, Elon, Esau, Isaac, Judith, Phichol, RebekahPlaces Beersheba, Egypt, Esek, Gerar, Rehoboth, Shibah, Sitnah, Valley of GerarTopics Circumstances, Declare, Digged, Dug, During, Isaac's, Pass, Servants, Water-hole, We'veDictionary of Bible Themes Genesis 26:32-33 5044 names, giving of 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 26:32 NIVGenesis 26:32 NLTGenesis 26:32 ESVGenesis 26:32 NASBGenesis 26:32 KJV
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