_There was a famine in the land_ THE FAMINE 1_._ Here the first thing that suggests itself is the apparent contradiction of the promise given to Abraham, for instead of the land of abundance and rest Isaac found famine and unrest. Let us endeavour to understand that, and then we shall better unde... [ Continue Reading ]
_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._ THE COVENANT RENEWED TO ISAAC I. IT WAS RENEWED TO HIM IN A TIME OF TRIAL. Divine help comes when all human efforts are exhausted. II. IT WAS RENEWED TO HIM IN THE OL... [ Continue Reading ]
_He said, She is my sister: for he feared to say, She is my wife_ ISAAC’S FALSE EXPEDIENT I. THE TEMPTATION COMES AFTER A TIME OF GREAT BLESSING. We are wise and happy if we can use the time of great blessing so as to gather strength for future trials. II. HE DID NOT THRUST HIMSELF IN THE WAY OF... [ Continue Reading ]
_Isaac sowed. .. and the Lord blessed him_ THE PROSPERITY OF ISAAC In this narrative it is Isaac the prosperous man who comes to view. Examine the sources and circumstances of his remarkable, unequalled prosperity. I. ISAAC HAD A GOOD FATHER. Happy the son whose father was chosen partner with Go... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Philistines envied him_ THE PROSPEROUS ARE SUBJECT TO ENVY 1. Great estates subject the best of men to envy. 2. Philistine spirits envy all increase of good to the Church of God (Genesis 26:14). 3. Men fearless of God make no scruple of doing the greatest injuries to His servants. 4. All... [ Continue Reading ]
_Isaac digged again the wells of water_ ISAAC’S WELLS These four names are the names (Genesis 26:20; Genesis 26:33) of four wells of springing water, dug in a valley, to feed families and flocks. “Esek” means Strife; “Sitnah,” Hatred; “Rehoboth,” Room; “Shebah,” Oath. Have you not been at them al... [ Continue Reading ]
_Fear not, for I am with thee_ LESSONS 1. The return from exilement to their own, God giveth to His sojourners as He pleaseth. 2. Beer-sheba is is more desirable to Isaac than Gerar. The place by covenant allotted, than the place envied by others (Genesis 26:23). 3. God’s gracious appearance un... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thou art now the blessed of the Lord_ THE FAVOURED ONE I. THE BEING WHO BLESSED ISAAC. 1. It was “the Lord,” the omniscient and omnipresent Jehovah. 2. “The Lord” who blessed Isaac is omnipotent. 3. Isaac’s God is infinite in wisdom. 4. The Being who blessed Isaac is a God of unspeakable good... [ Continue Reading ]
_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: which were a grief of mind unto Isaac and to Rebekah._ ESAU’S WIVES I. Esau was forty years old when he married. A sin is aggravated sometimes by the age of... [ Continue Reading ]