Study 6(b): ISAAC-A Man Of Peace - CHARACTER STUDY SERIES

Study 6(b): ISAAC-A Man Of Peace

It is noteworthy that the God of Abraham became the God of Isaac because Abraham taught his household to obey the Lord and keep his ways.

The word of God says: "For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him." - Genesis 18:19

1. There was another famine in the days of Isaac as it was in the days of Abraham.
2. Like Abraham, Isaac also went to Gerar, where Abimelech was king to look for "corn."
3. He was exposed to the same danger and temptation there like his father Abraham.
4. He reacted to the temptation and threat like his father Abraham.
5. He was also led by God in his undertakings.
6. As the seed of Abraham, he received the same covenant promise of God.
7. God prospered him as he did Abraham.

PRACTICAL DISCUSSION:

The famine that reoccurred in the days of Isaac, and the fear he had, like Abraham that the beauty of his wife might cause the Philistines to kill him and take away his wife, shows that as Christians, the trials and problems we face in this world are similar as the bible says: "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." - 1 Corinthians 10:13 (Matthew 5:12, 1 Peter 5:8-9). But he will make a way of escape.

One can observe that Isaac reacted to the famine and the danger of being killed for his wife's sake in the same way as his father Abraham. It could be that Abraham had told Isaac the story of his life. Abraham being a man of God, Isaac his son could have imagined that the step his father took on each occasion was the right one. This is not always the case hence God retrained him from going down into Egypt. We need to be guided by the word of God and led by his Spirit and not by other men's experience, though could be edifying.

It is very clear in scripture that God blessed Isaac for Abraham's sake. For God said to Isaac, "I will be with thee and bless thee ... and will give unto thy seed all these countries ... Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes and my laws." -Genesis 26:3-5. Which kind of spiritual foundation or legacy are you leaving for your children? Will God bless or damn them because of you? Think again!

Like Abraham his father, Isaac was very enterprising or hard-working. The Bible says: "Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the LORD blessed him ... For he had possession of flocks, and possession of herds, and great store of servants: and the Philistines envied him." - Genesis 26:12, 14. God will surely bless you as you serve and follow him like faithful Abraham.

A MAN OF PEACE:

The Philistines envied Isaac for his prosperity: "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." - Genesis. 26:15-16 Isaac did not contend but departed. (Genesis 26:17).

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 Isaac's servants digged in the valley, and found there a well springing water. And the herdsmen of Gerar did strive ... saying the water is ours. They digged another well and they strove for that also ... And he removed from thence and digged another well and for that they strove not.

Remember the experience of Abraham with Lot his nephew. (Read Genesis 13:5-12). Like Abraham, Isaac did not strive or contend for any material possession, but did that which made for peace, believing that whatever he forsook in the interest of peace, God would pay him a hundredfold. Jesus says: "And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life." - Mark 10:29-30. God indeed rewarded Isaac's quest for peace in avoiding strife (Genesis 26:12, 14).

Finally the Bible tells us that: "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." - Genesis 26:26-31

In response, Isaac forgave their aggression and made them a feast and they did eat and drink ... and they departed IN PEACE!

MEMORY VERSE: "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God." - Matthew 5:9

- BLISS & FIRE NETWORK 2009

« Newer Older »