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The bad side of Isaac

Gen. 26:1-11 resembles both incidents in which Abraham lied about Sarah (Gen. 12:10-20 and 20:1-18). However, three differences stand out. First, Sarah actually was Abraham’s sister; Rebekah was not Isaac’s sister. Second, Sarah was actually taken to the king of Gerar’s house; Rebekah was not taken. Third, the king of Gerar financially blessed Abraham after the Patriarch lied about Sarah (Gen. 20:14); the text does not record that Isaac received any financial recompense from the king of Gerar (because Rebekah was not taken).

We are told in Gen 26:2 that the Lord appeared to Isaac and told him that he was not to go to Egypt, but was to stay in the land of Gerar that he was presently staying. Gerar means Lodging Place. It’s a place for a sojourner.

The Lord told him to remain there in Gerar as a stranger for the time being and God promised to be with him and to bless him.  Isaac could live in Gerar without fear because the Lord would be with him and bless him with His goodness.  God was asking Isaac to trust Him in the present situation with all of its uncertainties, tensions, unknowns, and fears.

This is also something God asks of each of us. He saves us, not to just take us home to heaven, but to remain in the world. While we are in our temporary lodging place as pilgrims, we are to not go down to Egypt.

But, Isaac failed to trust God’s promises to be with the family and to protect them and he seeks good for himself by resorting to the same lie, the same deception as his father Abraham had done, because of the same fear.

Isaac, like his father, lacked faith in God’s ability to protect him and his family. It is natural to seek to avoid danger but you must have faith that God will protect you – and remain honest even when afraid.

We see the reason for this lack of faith, because there is no mention of Isaac praying and asking the Lord for protection. 

When did Isaac start to fear for his life? It was when he stopped trusting God. Isaac feared for his life when he did not put obedience to God first. As long as Isaac was trusting God, he had nothing to fear from any man or woman, and he was free to come and go with boldness. When he started thinking only about himself, however, and about trying to protect himself, he became scared and troubled.

Life will have its ups and down. There will be times of plenty and times of want, times of sickness and health. Sometimes the grass may look greener on the other side. But the LORD says to us “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him” (James 1:12, ESV).

Let us walk by faith and not by fear as Isaac did when he lied about his wife.

Quote: “Our lives are full of supposes. Suppose this should happen, or suppose that should happen; what could we do; how could we bear it? But, if we are living in the high tower of the dwelling place of God, all these supposes will drop out of our lives. We shall be quiet from the fear of evil, for no threatenings of evil can penetrate into the high tower of God.” - Hannah Whitall Smith

Prayer: Lord help me to maintain my prayer life, so that I may not fail to trust You. Amen