_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 ]