Sermon 556: Isaac Son of Abe; Greatest Hits: Genesis 26

CONTINUING Genesis

Today’s Bulletin

Update Outine

I. Track One: Covenant Flow (26:1-5)
II. Track Two: Don’t Fear The Man (26:6-11)
III. Track Three: Hundredfold (26:12-16)
IV. Track Four: A Well Of My Own (26:17-22)
V. Track Five: Well of Worship (26:23-25)
VI. Track Six: Peace Feast (26:26-33)
VII. Track Seven: Bitter Bonds (26:34-35)

Genesis 26

26 Now there was a famine in the land, besides the former famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went to Gerar to Abimelech king of the Philistines. 2 And the Lord appeared to him and said, “Do not go down to Egypt; dwell in the land of which I shall tell you. 3 Sojourn in this land, and I will be with you and will bless you, for to you and to your offspring I will give all these lands, and I will establish the oath that I swore to Abraham your father. 4 I will multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and will give to your offspring all these lands. And in your offspring all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, 5 because Abraham obeyed my voice and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.”

6 So Isaac settled in Gerar. 7 When the men of the place asked him about his wife, he said, “She is my sister,” for he feared to say, “My wife,” thinking, “lest the men of the place should kill me because of Rebekah,” because she was attractive in appearance. 8 When he had been there a long time, Abimelech king of the Philistines looked out of a window and saw Isaac laughing with Rebekah his wife. 9 So Abimelech called Isaac and said, “Behold, she is your wife. How then could you say, ‘She is my sister’?” Isaac said to him, “Because I thought, ‘Lest I die because of her.’ ” 10 Abimelech said, “What is this you have done to us? One of the people might easily have lain with your wife, and you would have brought guilt upon us.” 11 So Abimelech warned all the people, saying, “Whoever touches this man or his wife shall surely be put to death.”

12 And Isaac sowed in that land and reaped in the same year a hundredfold. The Lord blessed him, 13 and the man became rich, and gained more and more until he became very wealthy. 14 He had possessions of flocks and herds and many servants, so that the Philistines envied him. 15 (Now the Philistines had stopped and filled with earth all the wells that his father’s servants had dug in the days of Abraham his father.) 16 And Abimelech said to Isaac, “Go away from us, for you are much mightier than we.”

17 So Isaac departed from there and encamped in the Valley of Gerar and settled there. 18 And Isaac dug again the wells of water that had been dug in the days of Abraham his father, which the Philistines had stopped after the death of Abraham. And he gave them the names that his father had given them. 19 But when Isaac’s servants dug in the valley and found there a well of spring water, 20 the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with Isaac’s herdsmen, saying, “The water is ours.” So he called the name of the well Esek, because they contended with him. 21 Then they dug another well, and they quarreled over that also, so he called its name Sitnah. 22 And he moved from there and dug another well, and they did not quarrel over it. So he called its name Rehoboth, saying, “For now the Lord has made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land.”

23 From there he went up to Beersheba. 24 And the Lord appeared to him the same night and said, “I am the God of Abraham your father. Fear not, for I am with you and will bless you and multiply your offspring for my servant Abraham’s sake.” 25 So he built an altar there and called upon the name of the Lord and pitched his tent there. And there Isaac’s servants dug a well.

26 When Abimelech went to him from Gerar with Ahuzzath his adviser and Phicol the commander of his army, 27 Isaac said to them, “Why have you come to me, seeing that you hate me and have sent me away from you?” 28 They said, “We see plainly that the Lord has been with you. So we said, let there be a sworn pact between us, between you and us, and let us make a covenant with you, 29 that you will do us no harm, just as we have not touched you and have done to you nothing but good and have sent you away in peace. You are now the blessed of the Lord.” 30 So he made them a feast, and they ate and drank. 31 In the morning they rose early and exchanged oaths. And Isaac sent them on their way, and they departed from him in peace. 32 That same day Isaac’s servants came and told him about the well that they had dug and said to him, “We have found water.” 33 He called it Shibah; therefore the name of the city is Beersheba to this day.

34 When Esau was forty years old, he took Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite to be his wife, and Basemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite, 35 and they made life bitter for Isaac and Rebekah.

Sermon Discussion questions
The Water Wars (Genesis 26)

Ice Breaker: What is a default or normal in your family that’s a little weird?

This Week Specific

1. Spiritual Privilege: The sermon discusses the privilege Isaac had growing up with a believing father. Reflect on the spiritual privileges you've had in your life (e.g., godly parents, a supportive church community, access to Christian resources). How have these privileges shaped your faith? If you didn't have these privileges, how has God met you and grown your faith? How can you cultivate spiritual privilege in the lives of those around you (children, younger believers, etc.)?

   Breaking Cycles: Isaac repeated his father Abraham's mistake of lying about his wife. What are some negative patterns or cycles you've observed in your family or community? How can the power of the Holy Spirit empower you to break those cycles and establish new, healthier patterns? What specific steps can you take this week in one area?

   Default Normal: The sermon talks about how families establish "default normals," both positive and negative. What are some "default normals" in your family, workplace, or school? Are there any you'd like to change? How can you intentionally cultivate positive "default normals" in these settings?

   Fear of Man vs. Trust in God: Isaac lied because he feared the men of Gerar. Where in your life are you tempted to prioritize the fear of man over trusting in God? What specific steps can you take to cultivate greater trust in God in those situations? How does Psalm 56:3 apply to your life right now?

   Letting Go of Disputes: Isaac chose peace over conflict with the Philistines. Are there any disputes you're currently involved in that you might need to let go of? What would it look like to trust God to provide for your needs even if you relinquish something you consider valuable?

   Worship and Gratitude: Isaac built an altar and called on the name of the Lord after God reaffirmed his covenant. How can you cultivate a heart of worship and gratitude for God's faithfulness in your life? What practices (e.g., prayer, journaling, spending time in nature) help you connect with God in worship?

   Peacemaking: Isaac made a peace treaty with Abimelech. How can you be a peacemaker in your family, workplace, or community? Are there any relationships that need reconciliation? What steps can you take to pursue peace in those situations?

Weekly Questions

1. What stood out to you/challenged you most in this sermon?

2. What’s one area you feel the Lord wants to grow you into more Christ likeness?

3. How can this group pray for you this week?