Genesis 26:12-35

III.                Isaac Disputes Over His Wells (Genesis 26:12-22)

A.     Genesis 26:12 – Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the LORD blessed him.

1.      sowed – זרע zara, to sow, scatter seed

2.      hundredfold – מאה me'ah, hundred

·        Recall that there is still a famine going on at this time, yet God richly blesses Isaac. 

·        It had to be very clear to observers that Isaac was blessed of God.

·        Psalm 37:18-19 -  The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever.  They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.

3.      We see here Isaac beginning to receive the promise of God to be blessed.  He was obedient in that he remained in the land as God had instructed and is blessed through the promise God made to his Father Abraham and later transferred to Isaac.

B.     Genesis 26:13 – And the man waxed great, and went forward, and grew until he became very great:

1.      man – איש 'iysh, man, mortal man, person, mankind

2.      waxed great – גדל gadal, to grow, become great or important, promote, make powerful, praise, magnify, do great things

3.      Isaac continued to grow the wealth that he inherited from his father Abraham.

C.     Genesis 26:14 – For he had possession of flocks, and possession of herds, and great store of servants: and the Philistines envied him.

1.      People are inclined to be envious of those who are blessed by God rather than rejoice with them in their blessing.

·        Proverbs 27:4 – Wrath [is] cruel, and anger [is] outrageous; but who [is] able to stand before envy?

·        Ecclesiastes 4:4 – Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This [is] also vanity and vexation of spirit.

D.    Genesis 26:15 – 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.

1.      Actions derived from the envy of Isaac’s wealth.  Sometimes when people act out of envy their actions don’t make sense.  Why would anyone stop up a well that had water in it other than to instigate conflict.

2.      Obviously the Philistines had no flocks and herds of their own to water so they spitefully filled in the wells that others could have used.

3.      The Philistines were possibly hoping that Isaac would retaliate so they would have grounds to attack and take all of his possessions.

E.     Genesis 26:16 – And Abimelech said unto Isaac, Go from us; for thou art much mightier than we.

1.      Abimelech saw Isaac’s field and envied his crop and all of his possessions, he probably kicked him out so that he could take possession of Isaac’s crop.

2.      mightier – עצם `atsam, to be vast, be numerous, be mighty

3.      Abimelech is asking a difficult thing of Isaac, to leave behind all of the work he has done

F.     Genesis 26:17 – And Isaac departed thence, and pitched his tent in the valley of Gerar, and dwelt there.

1.      Went from Gerar to the Valley of Gerar

·        We should deny ourselves both in our rights and in our conveniences, rather than quarrel: a wise and a good man will rather retire into obscurity, like Isaac here into a valley, than sit high to be the butt of envy and ill-will.  Matthew Henry’s Commentary

·        Was this God’s Will?  God had originally told Isaac to dwell in this land, did that include the valley?

2.      Isaac was very mobile to be able to pack up and move

G.    Genesis 26:18 – And 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 he called their names after the names by which his father had called them.

1.      He opened the wells that his father had digged (v. 18), and out of respect to his father called them by the same names that he had given them. Note, In our searches after truth, that fountain of living water, it is good to make use of the discoveries of former ages, which have been clouded by the corruptions of later times. Enquire for the old way, the wells which our fathers digged, which the adversaries of truth have stopped up: Ask thy elders, and they shall teach thee.  Matthew Henry’s Commentary

2.      This paints a picture that the adversaries of God will hide or rewrite truth in order to exasperate God’s people.  Our forefathers have built ‘wells’ that we can build upon, rather than search for new ‘water’.  Just as water is essential to our physical bodies, a well is a vehicle to obtain water.  Our spiritual bodies require living water and the vehicle to obtain living water is truth.  Sometimes we have to uncover the truth.

H.    Genesis 26:19 – And Isaac’s servants digged in the valley, and found there a well of springing water.

1.      living water

·        Living – חי chay, living alive, flowing fresh

·        Water - מים mayim, water, waters

·        John 7:38 - He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

o      Isaiah 12:3 – Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.

                                                                                                                i.     Salvation - ישועה yĕshuw`ah, salvation, deliverance, derived from the same root as יהושוע Yĕhowshuwa`, "Jehovah is salvation"

o      Isaiah 58:11 – And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.

2.      Notice that it is Isaac’s servants that dig the well, we as servants of Christ must obey the command to dig.  By digging we are exposing truth, truth is what leads to living water.

I.       Genesis 26:20 – And the herdmen of Gerar did strive with Isaac’s herdmen, saying, The water [is] ours: and he called the name of the well Esek; because they strove with him.

1.      Esek - עשק `Eseq, "contention"

2.      This paints a picture of what we should expect when truth is brought forth, contention. 

·        Just as the Philistines had dominion over Gerar, so too do our enemies (spiritual wickedness in high places) currently have dominion over this world and they strive with us when we do the Will of God.

·        We know this region eventually belongs to the children of Israel, our present world will soon belong to Christ.

J.      Genesis 26:21 – And they digged another well, and strove for that also: and he called the name of it Sitnah.

1.      Sitnah - שטנה Sitnah, “strife” or “hatred”

2.      These Philistines didn’t strive with them while they were digging, they waited until the well was dug and then claimed ownership.

3.      The Philistines let Isaac’s servants do all of the work before they pursued it, similar to how inventions or discoveries are made with an originally good intention, but later used for evil (ie. dynamite, internet, etc…).

K.    Genesis 26:22 – And he removed from thence, and digged another well; and for that they strove not: and he called the name of it Rehoboth; and he said, For now the LORD hath made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land.

1.      Note that Isaac didn’t spend much time striving, the well was in dispute, he left it to them and dug another well.

·        Psalm 120:6-7 - My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace.  I [am for] peace: but when I speak, they [are] for war.

2.      Isaac, like Christ was a man of contention, but did not seek to be contentios.

·        Matthew 10:34 - Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.

o      Jesus does not mean a sword in the physical, but the sword is representative of debate and disagreement that may escalate into significant contention.

o      This contention may escalate into persecution against the servants of Christ, but we should remain steadfast in the Word, seek peace where possible, but without compromise.

·        Isaiah 9:6 - For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

o      Is this a contradiction? No, He has not yet assumed the role of Prince of Peace, under His rule there will be eternal peace.

3.      Persistance pays off, eventually Isaac possessed a well without contention

4.      Rehoboth - רחבות Rĕchobowth, "wide places or streets"

·        A picture of heaven, there is room enough there for all to thrive in peace.

IV.             The Lord Appears to Isaac in Beersheba (Genesis 26:23-25)

A.     Genesis 26:23 – And he went up from thence to Beersheba.

1.      About a days journey

2.      Why would he dig a well and leave?  Probably due to the constant state of contention and uneasiness he withdrew himself to a place of familiarity

B.     Genesis 26:24 – And the LORD appeared unto him the same night, and said, I [am] the God of Abraham thy father: fear not, for I [am] with thee, and will bless thee, and multiply thy seed for my servant Abraham’s sake.

1.      Appeared how? In a dream? In person?

2.      This was likely God comforting Isaac when he felt unsettled from all of the contention

3.      Since the text reads that the Lord’s appearance to Isaac took place at night, can we assume this was a dream?

4.      Again, note the message, “fear not” which is a common theme throughout both Old and New Testements.  Fear is a major hurdle for us to overcome in this life.

V.          Isaac and Abimelech Make a Covenant (Genesis 26:26-33)

A.     Genesis 26:25 – And he builded an altar there, and called upon the name of the LORD, and pitched his tent there: and there Isaac’s servants digged a well.

1.      Isaac built the altar, but his servants built the well.  Shows his priority was honoring the Lord, he took it upon himself to build the altar.

·        Isaac commemorates God’s visitation for something tangible to remember it by.

·        No doubt this served as an example for his household to see that honoring the Lord was so important that the boss himself is building the altar.

2.      Isaac’s servants dug yet another well. 

·        At this point they have become experts in the well digging business

B.     Genesis 26:26 – Then Abimelech went to him from Gerar, and Ahuzzath one of his friends, and Phichol the chief captain of his army.

1.      Abimelech came all the way to Beersheba?

2.      Ahuzzath – אחזת 'Achuzzath, "possession" interesting that this was a friend of Abimelech but his name means possession, was he a possession of Abimelech?

3.      Phichol – פיכל Piykol, "strong", likely a title given to the chief captain of the army since it is unlikely this is the same Phichol that visited Abraham with Abimelech’s father

C.     Genesis 26:27 – And Isaac said unto them, Wherefore come ye to me, seeing ye hate me, and have sent me away from you?

1.      Isaac has to be like “now what?”

2.      This meeting will serve to put Isaac’s mind at ease knowing that he can now live in peace.

D.    Genesis 26:28 – 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;

1.      States a clear observation that the Lord was with him

·        When we are in the will of God it should be clear to others that He is with us

2.      Beersheba – well of the oath

·        Appropriately named by Abraham from the oath/covenant Abimelech made at that time

·        Here we are again at Beersheba with Abimelech coming to renew the oath/covenant with Isaac.

3.      Looks like Abimelech regrets his inhospitable actions toward Isaac, either that or he was also living in a state of contention wondering if this man Isaac would be back to seek vengeance upon him.  Whatever the reason, it was important enough for the king of a nation to take a days journey to make this covenant.

E.     Genesis 26:29 – 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.

1.      God tells Isaac to “fear not” yet here Isaac finds out that Abimelech was the one who was living in fear of Isaac.

F.     Genesis 26:30 – And he made them a feast, and they did eat and drink.

1.      No hard feelings

2.      Not now, but we know eventually the Philistines become one of the chief adversarial nations against Israel

G.    Genesis 26:31 – 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.

1.      The actions of Abimelech here toward Isaac are almost exactly the same actions taken by his father toward Abraham

2.      What is so significant that we have very similar circumstances occurring twice by two different sets of people?  God is faithful and will be our refuge

·        Psalm 9:9-10 - The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.  And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.

H.    Genesis 26:32 – And it came to pass the same day, that Isaac’s servants came, and told him concerning the well which they had digged, and said unto him, We have found water.

1.      Isaac did not insist on restitution of the other wells that were taken from him, God once again shows that He is bigger than any circumstance and provides relief to Isaac in the form of yet another well.

2.      The well dug at Beersheba?

3.      This is supposedly where Abraham lived out his days, why is it surprising that the well had water?

4.      Why did they need to dig a well?

I.       Genesis 26:33 – And he called it Shebah: therefore the name of the city [is] Beersheba unto this day.

1.      Shebah – שבעה Shib`ah, "an oath"

2.      Beersheba – באר שבע Bĕ'er Sheba`, "well of the sevenfold oath"

3.      The same name that Abraham gave to this well, Isaac honors his father by keeping this name, like the other wells.

VI.          Esau Marries (Genesis 26:34-35)

A.     Genesis 26:34 – And Esau was forty years old when he took to wife Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Bashemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite:

1.      Esau back on the scene, where was he and Jacob up to this point?

·        If he is marrying Hittite women, its likely he was dwelling in the land of the Hittites

·        Jacob may have been on a pilgrimage in the south country  (Negev) with his Shem according to the book of Jasher.

2.      Two Hittite wives at age 40, Isaac was 100 years old

·        Each had two names:

o      Judith   à Aholibamah (36:5, 14, 25)

o      Bashemath à Adah (36:2)

·        Precise genealogy is given in Chapter 36

3.      Taking two wives from the Hittites may be what led to him being called a fornicator

·        Hebrews 12:16 - Lest there [be] any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.

B.     Genesis 26:35 – Which were a grief of mind unto Isaac and to Rebekah.

Genesis 25:24 - 26:11

 

F.     Genesis 25:24– And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, [there were] twins in her womb.

G.     Genesis 25:25– And the first came out red, all over like an hairy garment; and they called his name Esau.

1.      Esau - עשו `Esav, "hairy"

2.      Red is an indication that the baby is in good health

3.      Not too many babies are born with hair all over their bodies like a hairy garment.

H.     Genesis 25:26– And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau's heel; and his name was called Jacob: and Isaac [was] threescore years old when she bare them.

1.      Jacob - יעקב Ya`aqob, "heel holder" or "supplanter"

2.      Prophetic in that Jacob wanted the birthright and fought for it

3.      Hosea 12:3a – He took his brother by the heel in the womb…

4.      Psalm 47:4 – He shall choose our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob whom he loved. Selah.

I.    Genesis 25:27– And the boys grew: and Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field; and Jacob [was] a plain man, dwelling in tents.

1.      Plain - תם tam, perfect, complete

II.             Esau Sells His Birthright (Genesis 25:28-34)

A.     Genesis 25:28– And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of [his] venison: but Rebekah loved Jacob.

1.      Here is an example of how not to parent, both Isaac and Rebekah are showing favoritism creating a culture of friction within the household

2.      Isaac preferred Esau for selfish reasons, for bringing him wild game

3.      No reason is given here why Rebekah favors Jacob, but we will see later that Jacob has an adventurous streak and a sense of urgency much like we saw in Rebekah back in Haran.  They seem to have similar personalities.

·       We also know from verse 23 that God spoke to her when saying that the older would be subservient to the younger, her favoritism may stem from this personal message from the Lord.

4.      Note that Rebakah’s name means ensnarer and Jacob’s means supplanter so we can see some similarities in their names.

B.     Genesis 25:29– And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he [was] faint:

1.      Sod -זוד zuwd, verb, to boil, boil up, seethe, act proudly, act presumptuously, act rebelliously, be presumptuous, be arrogant, be rebelliously proud

2.      Pottage - נזיד naziyd, boiled food, soup, pottage, thing sodden or boiled

3.      Must not have been a very successful hunt, if Esau was a great hunter there may have been a divine hand in the matter that prevented him from making a kill, setting up this fateful encounter with Jacob.

·        We are also told in the next chapter that there is a famine in the land

C.     Genesis 25:30– And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red [pottage]; for I [am] faint: therefore was his name called Edom.

1.      Red - אדם 'adom, adjective, red, ruddy (of man, horse, heifer, garment, water, lentils)

2.      Pottage was added here

3.      The Hebrew having no superlative, doubles the adjective red, red, i.e this very red or this deliciously red food.  Figures of Speeches Used in the Bible, E.W. Bullinger

4.      Edom - אדם 'Edom, "red"

·        Edomite, Idumean - descendants of Esau

·        Note the theme of red…Esau was red when he was born, The food Jacob traded him was red, Edom itself means red.  Could this possibly provide some clue as to what nation or nations Esau’s descendents became?

·        Rouge

5.      We can see some similarities here between Esau and Adam; Adam too had a birthright that he gave up in order to eat the fruit from the forbidden tree.  Likewise we see Esau giving up his birthright for something to eat.  

D.    Genesis 25:31– And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright.

1.      Birthright – right of firstborn to take precedence over siblings

2.      What did the birthright include (4 things)?

·        The father’s blessing and supremacy (Ch.27, 49:8, 1 Chron. 5:1,2)

o       Went to Judah

o       Genesis 49:8 - Judah, thou [art he] whom thy brethren shall praise: thy hand [shall be] in the neck of thine enemies; thy father's children shall bow down before thee.

o       Because the Messiah would come through his blood line

·        A double portion (Chapter 48, 1 Chron. 5:1,2)

o       Went to Joseph

o       1 Chronicles 5:1-2 – Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, (for he was the firstborn; but forasmuch as he defiled his father’s bed, his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph the son of Israel: and the geneology is not to be reckoned after the birthright.  For Judah prevailed above his brethren, and of him came the chief ruler; but the birthright was Joseph’s:)

o       We then see that Joseph’s sons Manessah and Ephraim were given equal portions to the other 11 brothers making Joseph’s portion a double blessing.

·        Head of the domestic priesthood (Numbers 3:6,12 and Numbers 16:1-3)

o       Went to Levi

o       Numbers 3:6 – Bring the tribe of Levi near, and present them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister unto him.

o       Numbers 3:12 – And I, behold, I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel instead of all the firstborn that openeth the matrix among the children of Israel: therefore the Levites shall be Mine:

®    Just as the birthright gives one the office of domestic priesthood, God chose the Levites to fulfill the office of priesthood for His people.

·        Inheritance of whatever honorable title and judicial or royal authority the father had

o       Went to Joseph’s sons

o       Genesis 48:16 - The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.

3.      Loss of birthright usually involves a major offense

·        Seems as though once the firstborn loses the birthright it does not automatically pass to the second son, but to any one of the father’s sons

E.     Genesis 25:32– And Esau said, Behold, I [am] at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me?

1.      Contrast this with Christ who refused to give up His birthright when tempted by Satan though He was very hungry

2.      Esau saw the birthright as something to benefit himself, Christ retained His birthright that He might set free those who receive Him

3.      Christ went beyond the point of death, He physically did die preserving His birthright at His resurrection.

F.     Genesis 25:33– And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob.

1.      Esau treated his birthright as currency for merchandise, putting a limited price on something he should have rendered priceless

2.      We see no deception here on Jacob’s part, he made an offer to Esau who could have refused.  Instead Esau chose to trade something of significant importance (not necessarily monetary value) for something of temporal satisfaction.

G.    Genesis 25:34– Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised [his] birthright.

1.      Hebrews 12:16-17 - Lest there [be] any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.  For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.

·        Morsel of Meat - βρῶσις brōsis, that which is eaten, food, aliment

·       No specifics as to what it was that Esau ate other than it was red.

·       Here our attention is drawn to the deliberateness of Esau’s action.  There is no haste in the words, as there was none in Esau’s deed.  Each part of it is minutely pointed out, and dwelt upon, as showing that Esau did not fall under some sudden temptation, but that he deliberately and willfully “despised his birthright.” Figures of Speech Used in the Bible, E.W. Bullinger

I.                Famine and Isaac’s Journey to Gerar (Genesis 26:1-6)

A.     Genesis 26:1 – And there was a famine in the land, beside the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went unto Abimelech king of the Philistines unto Gerar.

1.      This famine was likely the reason behind Esau’s foolish decision

·        Speaking of Esau, Jacob and Esau are conspicuously absent during Isaac’s stint in Gerar

2.      2^nd Encounter with Abimelech, 1^st for Isaac likely not the same man that Abraham encountered over 75-100 years earlier, Abimelech was a title

·        Abimelech - אבימלך ‘Abiymelek, “Melek is father” or “my father is king”

o      אב ‘ab – father, ancestor, ruler, chief

o      מלך melek - king

3.      Isaac returning to the same place his father went

4.      “beside the first famine” – The second of 13 famines recorded  in scripture, the first being Genesis 12:10 in which Abraham traveled to Egypt

B.     Genesis 26:2 – And the LORD appeared unto him, and said, Go not down into Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of:

1.      We see God immediately instructing Isaac not to go to Egypt as his father Abraham did in response to the first famine.

C.     Genesis 26:3 – Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father;

1.      “Sojourn in this land” – They were in Gerar, this is the land from the previous verse “which I shall tell thee of”

2.      This is the land that had been promised to Abraham

D.    Genesis 26:4 – And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed;

1.      Officially transferring the promise from Abraham to Isaac

E.     Genesis 26:5 – Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.

1.      Why? Because of Abraham, not because of anything Isaac did

2.      The same for us today under the new covenant, we receive the promise not because of anything we have done, but through the obedience of Jesus Christ

3.      What statutes and laws are God referring to, He has not yet delivered the law to Moses

·        God’s laws were written upon Abraham’s heart.

·        Matthew 22:36-40 - Master, which [is] the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  This is the first and great commandment.  And the second [is] like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.  On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

F.     Genesis 26:6 – And Isaac dwelt in Gerar:

1.      Isaac demonstrates his obedience

II.             Isaac and Abimelech (Genesis 26:7-11)

G.    Genesis 26:7 – And the men of the place asked [him] of his wife; and he said, She [is] my sister: for he feared to say, [She is] my wife; lest, [said he], the men of the place should kill me for Rebekah; because she [was] fair to look upon.

1.      Where Isaac excels in obedience he lacks in truthfulness

2.      Unlike Abraham, he is not his wife’s brother so this is a lie

3.      Fear leads to sin, fearing anything more than God subordinates God to that which we fear, thus fear can be considered a form of idolatry.

·        2 Timothy 1:7 - For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

·        One might understand the deception by Abraham, but Isaac has inherited Abraham’s entire household and carries his reputation, there should be no need for him to have any fear.

H.    Genesis 26:8 – And it came to pass, when he had been there a long time, that Abimelech king of the Philistines looked out at a window, and saw, and, behold, Isaac [was] sporting with Rebekah his wife.

1.      Sporting - צחק tsachaq, to sport, play, make sport, toy with, make a toy of

·        Similar to Isaac’s name - יצחק Yitschaq, laughter

2.      Must have been living in close proximity to Abimelech

I.       Genesis 26:9 – And Abimelech called Isaac, and said, Behold, of a surety she [is] thy wife: and how saidst thou, She [is] my sister? And Isaac said unto him, Because I said, Lest I die for her.

J.      Genesis 26:10 – And Abimelech said, What [is] this thou hast done unto us? one of the people might lightly have lien with thy wife, and thou shouldest have brought guiltiness upon us.

K.    Genesis 26:11 – And Abimelech charged all [his] people, saying, He that toucheth this man or his wife shall surely be put to death.