Genesis:26

---

Seeker Overlay ON

* Verse 1-5 - Isaac had been trained up in a believing dependence upon the Divine grant of the land of Canaan to him and his heirs ; and now that there is a famine in the land , Isaac still cleaves to the covenant . The real worth of God 's promises cannot be lessened to a believer by any cross providences that may befall him . If God engage to be with us , and we are where he would have us to be , nothing but our own unbelief and distrust can prevent our comfort . The obedience of Abraham to the Divine command , was evidence of that faith , whereby , as a sinner , he was justified before God , and the effect of that love whereby true faith works . God testifies that he approved this obedience , to encourage others , especially Isaac . * Verse 6-11 - There is nothing in Isaac 's denial of his wife to be imitated , nor even excused . The temptation of Isaac is the same as that which overcame his father , and that in two instances . This rendered his conduct the greater sin . The falls of those who are gone before us are so many rocks on which others have split ; and the recording of them is like placing buoys to save future mariners . This Abimelech was not the same that lived in Abraham 's days , but both acted rightly . The sins of professors shame them before those that are not themselves religious . * Verse 12-17 - God blessed Isaac . Be it observed , for the encouragement of poor tenants who occupy other people 's lands , and are honest and industrious , that God blessed him with a great increase . The Philistines envied Isaac . It is an instance of the vanity of the world ; for the more men have of it , the more they are envied , and exposed to censure and injury . Also of the corruption of nature ; for that is an ill principle indeed , which makes men grieve at the good of others . They made Isaac go out of their country . That wisdom which is from above , will teach us to give up our right , and to draw back from contentions . If we are wrongfully driven from one place , the Lord will make room for us in another . * Verse 18-25 - Isaac met with much opposition in digging wells . Two were called Contention and Hatred . See the nature of worldly things ; they make quarrels , and are occasions of strife ; and what is often the lot of the most quiet and peaceable ; those who avoid striving , yet cannot avoid being striven with . And what a mercy it is to have plenty of water ; to have it without striving for it ! The more common this mercy is , the more reason to be thankful for it . At length Isaac digged a well , for which they strove not . Those that study to be quiet , seldom fail of being so . When men are false and unkind , still God is faithful and gracious ; and his time to show himself so is , when we are most disappointed by men . The same night that Isaac came weary and uneasy to Beer-sheba , God brought comforts to his soul . Those may remove with comfort who are sure of God 's presence . * Verse 26-33 - When a man 's ways please the Lord , he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him , Proverbs strkjv @16:7 . Kings ' hearts are in his hands , and when he pleases , he can turn them to favour his people . It is not wrong to stand upon our guard in dealing with those who have acted unfairly . But Isaac did not insist on the unkindnesses they had done him ; he freely entered into friendship with them . Religion teaches us to be neighbourly , and , as much as in us lies , to live peaceable with all men . Providence smiled upon what Isaac did ; God blessed his labours . mhcc @Genesis:26:34 ,35 @ Verse 34 ,35 - Esau was foolish in marrying two wives together , and still more in marrying Canaanites , strangers to the blessing of Abraham , and subject to the curse of Noah . It grieved his parents that he married without their advice and consent . It grieved them that he married among those who had no religion . Children have little reason to expect God 's blessing who do that which is a grief of mind to good parents . **** Matthew Henry 's Commentary ****

---