“And Isaac said unto them, Wherefore come ye to me, seeing ye hate me, and have sent me away from you?” (Genesis 26:27).
Reading Genesis 26, we see several conflicts. First, a famine in the land sent Isaac to Gerar. Isaac, for fear of his life, told king Abimelech, his wife, Rebekah, was his sister. If you remember, Abraham did that with his wife Sarah as well. However, telling a lie to avoid conflict could possibly backfire. If Abimelech hadn’t noticed Isaac getting cozy with Rebekah as he looked out his window one day, no telling what might have happened. Abimelech confronted Isaac and, more or less, asked him why did he lie? Obviously, he was trying to do what was right in spite of Isaac’s blunder. Reading between the lines, I believe Isaac must have repented, because we see God blessing him. Isaac became so prosperous the Philistines envied him. Abimelech told him to take his power and riches and go away. So Isaac went to the valley of Gerar, where, in spite of conflict with the Philistines, Isaac redug some wells of his father Abraham. The Philistines had filled them after Abraham’s death. It isn’t until the end of the chapter that we read how water was discovered and appreciated during this time of famine. In the midst of conflict, God reassured Isaac of His promise to Abraham, no doubt what he needed to react differently to any unkindness he had faced.
When Isaac met up with Abimelech again, he could not help but ask him why he came (as we see in today’s verse). Maybe his realization of how much God was blessing Isaac served as a means of both parties resolving their differences.
What do we learn from this story? First, in all relationships be honest. People may treat us badly, but don’t retaliate. That only leads to further conflict. How we act and react may lead to settling disputes and bringing about harmony. After all, isn’t that what we are trying to do as body builders?
Sue Winchester
Missouri
PRAY TOGETHER: Pray for a peaceful atmosphere in Free Will Baptist children’s homes throughout the world. Pray that workers and residents would resolve differences and live in harmony as they see God’s blessings.
