Genesis 26:5

HEREDITARY BLESSING

‘I will bless thee … because that Abraham obeyed My voice.’

Genesis 26:3; Genesis 26:5

The child is blessed for the father’s sake.

I. If I have a godly ancestry, then the covenant of the Lord is made with me. His love was not exhausted with the life and death of my parents; so profoundly did He care for them that His love descends for their sakes on my head. It would be hard indeed to tell how far it will descend, or when its influence will cease; it seems unchangeable as God is Himself.

II. And if I have a godly ancestry, I breathe from the beginning the healthiest atmosphere. The very air of a Christian land and a Christian household is salutary and invigorating. When the Divine commandments and the gracious Gospel have been known for ages, everything is leavened and elevated and ennobled by them. I cannot be too thankful for the difference they make.

III. And if I have a godly ancestry, I have had the best teaching and the sublimest example. I can never estimate how much I owe to the lessons of those who have gone before me, to the holy lives which lie behind me. It is a thought both inspiring and solemnising that I am the heir of such a heritage. Sparta is my birthplace—nay, not Sparta, but Zion; let me adorn it.

It is a great responsibility, as well as a great benediction, to be the child of a good father.

Illustration

(1) ‘How varied are the contents of this chapter! It begins with the Divine voice and manifestation, and it seems as though Isaac also was to live on a great level, to the honour of God and the blessing of succeeding generations. But within a few verses he is guilty of meanness to his wife, who had come so far to be his bride, and of abominable falsehood to Abimelech. It would have seemed incredible had we not been familiar with the same rapid changes and contrasts within ourselves. Now we are holding converse with God, and now doing the devil’s work. Here, on the Mount of Transfiguration, asking that we may abide there always, and anon in the valley quarrelling for superiority. Ah me! What a wonderful God is ours, to bear with us as He does! Shall we not record for ever the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness towards us? In spite of it all, when Isaac sowed in that same land the Lord blessed him, and he received in the same year an hundredfold.’

(2) ‘Strong men have sometimes weak sons. Isaac was cast in a very different mould from Abraham. He was naturally yielding and timorous. But the blessing which had been granted to Abraham was continued also to him. “I am with thee, and will bless thee, for my servant Abraham’s sake.” The great distinguishing characteristic of Abraham’s life named here is his obedience. Are we sufficiently accurate in keeping God’s charge? And do we realise sufficiently the posthumous blessing which may thus accrue to unborn generations?’

(3) ‘It is remarkable, for instance, to trace the ramifications of godly lives, like that of Sir Fowell Buxton or of William Wilberforce. Their children, and children’s children, seem to have been the objects of special Divine regard.’