Genesis 44

 

ABIMELECH SAW THE LORD

(Gen 26:26-33)

 

 

Introduction:

The main character of today’s text is Isaac. As a nomad, it was a fatal situation for him to have a poor harvest and not have water to feed his livestock.

So, going down to Egypt, where the Nile River is located, was a reasonable and common sense step. But The LORD appeared to Isaac and said,

"Do not go down to Egypt; live in the land where I tell you to live.

Living there means taking root and living in that area. It was an instruction that was incomprehensible to common sense: to live in an area with famine.

However, Isaac obeys the word of God. The rule of his life was to obey the word of God, not his own plans or his own judgment.

What was the result of his obedience and remaining in Gerar? Let’s look at verse 12. Isaac planted crops in that land and the same year reaped a hundredfold, because the LORD blessed him.

    v.13 The man became rich, and his wealth continued to grow until he became very wealthy.

   v. 14 He had so many flocks and herds and servants that the Philistines envied him.

Instead of making a rational choice, he just stayed because God told him to stay. As a result of that obedience, the Lord gave him an amazing blessing.

 

1. People who do not know the mystery of salvation.

  1) Genesis 4:1-20 Cain failed to hold on to the covenant of blood sacrifice

  2) Genesis 6:1-13 Even church members miss the covenant and get into unbelieving marriages

  3) Genesis 11:1-14 Even Noah’s descendants built the Tower of Babel.

 

2. People who were saved but not realize that state.

  1) Genesis 13:1-13 Lot had a different spiritual state from Abram

  2) Genesis 12:1-9 Abram moved southward and the famine that came because of Abram

  3) Genesis 16:1-14 Conflict caused by Hagar and Ishmael

  4) Genesis 28:1-9 (Genesis 27:30-42) (Conflict between Jacob and Esau due to Isaac’s blinded blessing) Isaac, who realized it too late, sends Jacob to Laban.

 

3. People who has mystery of salvation.

  1) Genesis 22:1-13 While offering Isaac as a burnt offering, he realized the secret of the ram.

  2) Genesis 32:22-32 Prayer by the Jabbok River and Jacob receiving the name Israel

  3) Genesis 37:1-11 Joseph concluded with Christ alone, family evangelization, and world evangelization

  4) Genesis 39:1-6 Joseph and Potiphar’s wife who became Potiphar’s slaves

  5) Colossians 1:27-2:4

  6) Ephesians 1:3-14

 

4. People who enjoy the blessing of salvation

  1) Non believer, enemy can see that there is Jehovah God.( Gen.26:27-28)

     v. 27 Isaac asked them, "Why have you come to me, since you were hostile to me and sent me away?“

     v. 28 They answered, "We saw clearly that the LORD was with you; so we said, 'There ought to be a sworn agreement between us'-between us and you.

        Let us make a treaty with you

  2) They see the blessing of God.( Gen.26:29-30)

    v. 29 that you will do us no harm, just as we did not molest you but always treated you well and sent you away in peace.

       And now you are blessed by the LORD."

    v. 30 Isaac then made a feast for them, and they ate and drank.

 

5. How can see this mystery?

  1) Through the people who have the covenant( Gen.3:15)

  2) Through the people who have mystery of the covenant.

  3) Through the people who enjoyed promise.

 

Conclution:

Although the land, shelter, and well were taken away, Isaac remained meek and continued to dig another well. Because God is the owner, He, the owner,

told him to remain there, so he remained where He planted them, regardless of other’sr reaction. And he did his best without giving up.

Verse 22, “He moved on from there and dug another well, and no one quarreled over it. He named it Rehoboth, saying, "Now the LORD has given us room

and we will flourish in the land."

There may be situations where servants fight with each other. However, because he did not lose sight of the principles of pursuing gentleness and peace,

Isaac ultimately received the blessing of God expanding the scope of his life and making him prosper. What can we do to subdue those who are jealous of us

and who are more logical than us? It cannot be done with words or force. In the end, touching them with gentleness and love is the best way to coexist

with them. I hope that the blessings of Rehoboth will come to your life and work by becoming meek and peacemakers (the secret of loving your neighbors).