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Daily Devotions

Genesis

Genesis 
Day 
Day 183

"I will hear what God the Lord will speak, For He will speak peace to His people and to His saints; But let them not turn back to folly." Psalm 85:8

Text: Genesis 26:1-35

THE OBVIOUS HAND OF GOD’S BLESSING

Abimelech must have carefully followed the progress of Isaac as he lived among them. He could not help but notice the obvious hand of God blessing Isaac in all he did (Genesis 26:12-14)! The council of three came to the conclusion that the wisest course of action was to pursue the possibility of establishing a treaty with Isaac.

“But they said, ‘We have certainly seen that the Lord
is with you. So we said, “Let there now be an oath between us,
between you and us; and let us make a covenant with you,
that you will do us no harm, since we have not touched you,
and since we have done nothing to you but good and have
sent you away in peace. You are now blessed by the Lord.” ‘ ”

GENESIS 26:28-29

“We have certainly seen that the Lord is with you…”

Abimelech may not have known the God of Abraham and Isaac personally, but he could, at the least, discern His hand of blessing! That was so obvious! The wealth and power that Isaac possessed were surely indications of Divine blessings! The ease with which Isaac was able to locate water and dig wells successfully was another indication of God’s blessings! Abimelech had lived his entire life in the land, and yet he could not discover and dig as many wells as Isaac could! And Isaac was their guest in the land!

“You are now blessed by the Lord”

With grudging recognition, Abimlech had to admit that Isaac was indeed “blessed by the Lord”. If the Divine hand of protection continued to be upon Isaac, then he would like to establish a treaty of non-aggression with him! Thus far Isaac had proven himself to be a man of peace. He was not easily provoked. But what if he were to change one day? Would not things go hard on the Philistines if he were to attack them?


ANOTHER PARITY COVENANT OF PEACE ENTERED INTO

Isaac must have thanked God, in the silence of his heart, as he listened to Abimelech. His father had sworn a covenant with the previous Abimelech who ruled the land. He had been accompanied by Phicol, a commander of the Philistine army. Almost identically, history was repeating itself (Cf.Genesis 21:32)! Only the Divine hand of God could bring about this state of affairs. Isaac graciously agreed to the pact. To mark the occasion, he made a feast for his new allies.

“So he made them a feast, and they ate and drank.
Then they arose early in the morning and swore an oath
with one another; and Isaac sent them away, and they departed
from him in peace.”

GENESIS 26:30-31

The “impossible” had occurred. Isaac could now walk in the land without fear!