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Isaac
His Canaan Famine - Faith Test
Now when it came to Isaac -- he too, knew that the land of Canaan had been promised to his father Abraham, and to the generations that were to come after him. And yet, Isaac still decides to leave the land, just like his father Abraham had done. And sort of like God had done with Abraham, the Lord would come and pay a personal visit to Isaac -- by reminding him of that same Abrahamic Covenant.
(Bible Study Online Article Covers : Genesis 26:1-6)
Short Recap?
In the last article, we'd taken a look at how different Esau and Jacob would be, even though they were born as twins. And this would become even more apparent as they grew into men. For we find that Esau was far more daring and adventurous than Jacob was. For he was a hunter and a conqueror of sorts.
But when it came to Jacob, the Sacred Record informs us that he'd kept more to himself: "The boys grew up, and Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the open country, while Jacob was a quiet man, staying among the tents." -- Genesis 25:27
Make no mistake, the Sacred Record makes it quite clear that the two men were headed in different directions. We had also taken a look at how Esau (in a moment of weakness) had given away his birthright for a bowl of stew. And although Jacob is often criticized for doing this to Esau, we must keep in mind that Jacob didn't force Esau to do anything.
As a matter of fact, Esau was his own man, and he did things when he wanted to do them. There was no way Jacob could have forced him to do anything. And perhaps this is why the Sacred Record makes it clear that when it was all said and done, Esau had despised his birthright. For he'd deemed it, as being useless: "Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew. He ate and drank, and then got up and left. So Esau despised his birthright." -- Genesis 25:34
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Isaac's Canaan Famine
The Faith Test
However that may have been, we now begin to move forward from within our journey. And it's at this time that we're now told about a famine that was manifesting from within their homeland of Canaan. Now, understand that this famine would occur at a time when Isaac's household was beginning to settle in. Also, keep in mind that Isaac would now find himself faced with the same type of "faith test" that his father Abraham had faced when he first came to Canaan.
Now, remember, when Abraham first faced his "faith test," he would immediately head toward the land of Egypt to avoid it. And make no mistake, just like his father before him, Isaac would consider doing the same. But first, Isaac would make a stop at his birthplace, which was called "Gerar," so he could talk to Abimelech, the king of the Philistines.
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Not the Same Abimelech?
Now, before we proceed, I want to point out that this Abimelech is not the same Abimelech who lived during the days of Abraham. I want you to understand that this particular scene would take place about 100 years later, after Abraham and Abimelech had first met.
The name Abimelech was a type of surname used by the kings of the Philistines. Know that this wasn't different than the Romans, who, too, used a surname that was known as Caesar. Or the Egyptians who, too, did with the surname that was known as Pharaoh. This Abimelech could be a son or a grandson who had descended from the one that Abraham had to deal with.
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Abraham Placed His Trust In Egypt
Now, when it comes to the similarities that had taken place between the events that happened between Abraham and Isaac? I find it fascinating, for I want you to understand that when Abraham first entered the land of Canaan, remember that God had spoken to him, letting Abraham know that Canaan was the land He'd promised to him.
And right after Abraham had received this message from the Lord, he realized that the land promised to him was dealing with a severe famine. Because of this, Abraham decides to leave that land immediately and move to a more fertile area at the time, a place known as Egypt.
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Isaac Faced With the Same Choice
Now, when it came to Isaac, he, too, knew that the land of Canaan had been promised to his father, Abraham, and to the generations that were to go after him. And yet, Isaac still decides to leave the land, just like his father Abraham had done. And sort of like God had done with Abraham, the Lord would come and pay a personal visit to Isaac by reminding him of that same Abrahamic Covenant. Take note of what the Lord had instructed and reminded Isaac of:
"Do not go down to Egypt; live in the land where I tell you to live. Stay in this land for a while, and I will be with you and will bless you. For to you and your descendants I will give all these lands, and will confirm the oath I swore to your father Abraham. I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and will give them all these lands, and through your offspring all nations on will be blessed, because Abraham obeyed me and kept my requirements, my commands, my decrees and my laws." -- Genesis 26:2-5
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In All Fairness to Abraham
Now, before we go further, I want to try to be fair when it comes to Abraham. We must keep in mind that God had only shown him the land that He had promised him. God did not specifically instruct Abraham not to go down to the land of Egypt as he did with Isaac. I want to give Abraham the benefit of the doubt and state that I believe that if God had done so, Abraham would have perhaps listened and obeyed the Lord, just like he had done many times before and after.
But God knew that Abraham's survival instincts would take over. He knew that Abraham would probably head to a place that would be better suited to provide for him and his family. Also, keep in mind that if Abraham hadn't gone down into the land of Egypt, so many of the tests and rewards that the trip would later provide for him would not have taken place.
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Who Will Isaac Trust
Egypt? Or God?
Now, don't get me wrong, the decisions that Abraham had made weren't necessarily in line with God's plan, and yet, God still blessed him as he went through his ordeal, for you must also understand that the plans that God had for Abraham were so great, that Abraham himself, could not derail them.
So that brings us to the question: "What will Isaac do in the face of this famine?" Will he base his decision on fully trusting God when it comes to the survival of his family? Or will he base his decision on placing his trust in his natural survival instincts just like his father had done before him and head to Egypt?
In the next Bible Study Online Article
Not only do we see similarities between the events that took place between Isaac's and Abraham's dealings with the Philistines, but also between the events that took place between Isaac's and Abraham's dealings with the Philistines. However, in the following article, we'll also examine how Isaac attempted to follow the same deceitful playbook when it came to his wife, Rebekah. The same deceitful playbook that his father, Abraham, had used when it came to his wife, Sarah, some 100 years before.
May God blessings be upon you, and thank you for your support
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28) The Twelve Rulers of Ishmael
30) Esau & Jacob - The Birthright
31) <-CURRENT - BIBLE STUDY ONLINE - PAGE->
33) Isaac and the Envious King Abimelech
Added to Page: 34) Abimelech & Isaac Makes An Oath
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40) Deceitful Hearts
43) Jacob - The Path of Uncertainty
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