Genesis 26:1-33
Thursday, 5 August 2021
Then Isaac sent them home again, and they left him in peace. -Genesis 26:31
One of the most beautiful truths in the Old Testament is the depiction of Jesus in certain characters and situations that were “shadows,” ultimately finding fulfilment in the person of Jesus Christ. In today’s text, we will see how Isaac responded to the difficulties he faced, so much like “The Prince of Peace,” who was to come.
1. Gave Up For Peace – (Vs.12&17) We read how the Philistine king was envious and threatened by Isaac’s wealth and power that he asked him to leave the very place he had settled in with his family. How many of us when we have the power to overthrow people coming against us, will take deliberate action to walk away in peace? Isaac did. He had the power to defeat the Philistine king if he wanted to, but for peace decided to give up what was rightfully promised to him. The Pharisees who were envious and threatened by Jesus’ popularity, had him arrested and brought to Pilate. When questioned by Pilate, Jesus did not claim any right to this world but replied: “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.” (John 18:36) Jesus knew that one day He would reign over all the earth, though now for a time it was under the rule of the enemy. Isaac did the same. Though the land belonged to him by promise as written in vs 3, yet for peace he did not fight for it but waited for the promise to be fulfilled.
2. Held His Peace – (Vs.18-22) Fresh water was and is one of the most precious commodities in the land of Israel. Anyone striking water would be like one finding a treasure of gold. With God on Isaac’s side, he not only found water when he reopened the wells dug by his father, but also his own servants found water every time they dug a well. This did not go will with the herdsmen of Gerar. They began to quarrel and claimed the wells for themselves. How did Isaac respond to this? For the sake of peace, he did not fight for what was rightfully his and moved on till God gave him room to flourish – A Rehoboth – a well of his own. How like Jesus he responded!! In 1 Peter 2:23 we read: “When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.” Therefore God exalted and honoured Him and gave Him a name that is above every name. (Phil 2:9)
3. The Peacemaker – (Vs.26-31) In this segment, we see how Isaac responds to his enemies. When one who has wronged you comes back with a truce, there is no pressure on us to accept it. He could continue to keep the rift going for many reasons. But here we see Isaac offering a hand of forgiveness to bring peace in spite of being wronged. Isn’t this what God did for us through Christ Jesus? Col 1:19&20 says: “For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.”
And what kind of people did he reconcile? Those who were alienated from God enemies in their minds because of their evil behavior. (Ref: Col.1:21)
Man was desperately stretching out his hand in different ways to make peace with God. It was of no avail, until the day when God stretched out His HAND in peace toward man. Isaiah 53:5 reads “…the punishment that brought us peace was on him,” Abimelech returned home peacefully by one this act of Isaac, you and I live in peace with God forever because of that One Act of Jesus -Our Peacemaker! Isaac had peace with God and peace of God, thus able to live a life of peace. Can this be said of each of us today?
Quote for the Day:
“Christ alone can bring lasting peace - peace with God - peace among men and nations - and peace within our hearts.” ~Billy Graham
Listen - 'Peace in Christ'