Genesis 26:1-5 God is just in rewarding each according to the condition of their faith
Genesis 26:1-5 God is just in rewarding each according to the condition of their faith
Now there was a famine in the land, besides the previous famine that had occurred in the days of Abraham. So Isaac went to Gerar, to Abimelech king of the Philistines. 2 The Lord appeared to him and said, “Do not go down to Egypt; stay in the land of which I shall tell you. 3 Sojourn in this land and I will be with you and bless you, for to you and to your descendants I will give all these lands, and I will establish the oath which I swore to your father Abraham. 4 I will multiply your descendants as the stars of heaven, and will give your descendants all these lands; and by your descendants all the nations of the earth shall be blessed; 5 because Abraham obeyed Me and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes and My laws.”
Background
Famine strikes Canaan and Isaac being tempted to migrate to Egypt is instructed to remain in the land as a condition of his blessing. God’s appearance to Isaac has placed him in the same league as Abraham. Today’s devotion teaches us about a just God who rewards each person according to their faith.
Observation
Now there was a famine in the land, besides the previous famine that had occurred in the days of Abraham.
The hard realities of life befall even the most blessed among men. As Abraham encounters such a famine that can possibly wipe out all his possessions, likewise Isaac encounters one. However, God has purposes other than to test the patriarchs’ resolve to obey Him. Through the famine, God has in mind to move His patriarchs beyond the confines of Canaan so that He may enlarge their territories. Therefore, life’s famines presents dual effects to bless and perfect the saints and to spoil the wicked.
The following statement: So Isaac went to Gerar, to Abimelech king of the Philistines, summarises the story before the author goes into finer details. Since at least 4o years has passed, this is probably not the same Abimelech as in the days of Abraham. Isaac now deals with the next generation of the same group of people that previously deal with Abraham.
The Lord appeared to him and said, “Do not go down to Egypt; stay in the land of which I shall tell you.
God’s appearance to Isaac places him in the same league as that of Abraham. Here, God’s dealings with Isaac is stylistically and substantially similar to that of Abraham. It is not unusual for God to appear in person, as He does Abraham in the midst of two angels to deliver the good news of Sarah’s conception. As Abraham is implicitly allowed to go into Egypt, Isaac is instructed to stay. It requires of Isaac no small faith to remain in Gerar as Egypt is the tried and tested source of food in times of famine. Here, it is obvious that God’s promises is conditioned upon Isaac’s obedience to His instructions. What is iterated here is the very same blessing that is promised to Abraham (see Genesis 12:1-4):
a. I will be with you and bless you. God’s presence becomes the guarantee of divine providence and protection.
b. To you and your descendants, I will give all these lands. “These lands” cover territories beyond Canaan such as the land of the Philistines will be given to Isaac and his descendants.
c. I will establish the oath which I swore to your father Abraham.
d. I will multiply your descendants as the stars of heaven.
e. By your descendants all the nations of the earth shall be blessed.
Because Abraham obeyed Me and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes and My laws.
“Because” explicitly draws upon the reason of his father, Abraham’s success; a comprehensive and impeccable obedience to God’s rule over him. “My charge, My commandments, My statues and My laws” refers to teachings on ethics, godliness as understood by the patriarchs which probably comprises part of the Law of Moses.
Truth
God reveals Himself to those who are similar to Him in values and goals
God does not reveal Himself to all men, but He is close to those who seek His face and do His will. The psalmist says,
The Lord is close to all who call on him,
Yes, to all who call on him in truth.
He grants the desires of those who fear him;
he hears their cries for help and rescues them.
The Lord protects all those who love him,
but he destroys the wicked. Psalm 145:18-20
Just as we humans dislike to be near those who lives contrary to our convictions, God seeks intimacy with those who walk in the truth. God appears to Isaac because, he, like Abraham desires God and seeks to do His will. What does God’s presence bring for Isaac or for that matter all who call on Him? God instructs him in the way that he shall go so that he may be blessed. God says to Isaac, “I will be with you and bless you.” The presence of God brings blessings beyond one’s imagination and the fulfilment of their hearts’ desires.
Many want God’s presence in order to be comforted of their problems and have their desires met. And their fleshly appetite remain the centre of their life’s pursuits. However, the Spirit of Christ “appear” to those who love God and obey His commands. Jesus says, “He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him.” (John 14:21). In this context, the Spirit of Christ becomes the seat of wisdom, courage and faith to walk in the way that leads to life and prosperity.
God is just in rewarding each according to the condition of their faith
God is just, in a sense that all will be rewarded on the basis of their faith and obedience. In the case of Isaac, God makes known in no uncertain terms that sojourning in the land is the condition to inherit the promises: Sojourn in this land and I will be with you and bless you. In the same breath, God reveals the key to Abraham’s success: because Abraham obeyed Me and kept My charge… .
The requisite of faith through repentance is prominent in Jesus’s teachings,
From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 4:17.
In other words, the promise of salvation is conditional upon man’s repentance. In another episode, Jesus teaches about faith and obedience as necessary conditions to answered prayers,
“Truly I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ it will happen. And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.” Matthew 21:21-22.
However, many churchgoers erroneously suppose that Christ’s work on the cross has already made them perfect for salvation. They quote Hebrews 10:14, “For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.” Here, “perfected” means cleansed to approach God; the complete removal of sin that estranges man from God. Even so, it remains for every man to draw near to God to receive the gift of the Spirit. The author of Hebrews urges his hearers to draw near to God and persevere towards salvation.
Let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful (Hebrews 10:22-23).
Therefore, the onus is on all believers to be sincerely committed to obedience: a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, and to cleanse one’s evil tendencies: our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience. The path of salvation involves holding fast to the confession of our hope without wavering. In so doing, He who promised is faithful to help us overcome temptations and failures that pepper our paths. For the scriptures are filled with imperfect men who hold fast to their call despite their weaknesses.
Application
Are you accustomed to using God to solve your problems and fulfil your desires without fully committing your life to Him? Perhaps you have tried calling on God but with little success. Give your life to Him in faith and obedience, and He will appear to you and show you the way. Stop struggling and seek His face by reading God’s word daily and praying in the Spirit. You will soon experience the peace and intimacy like never before.
Dear Lord, forgive me for running by myself without depending on your guidance. I believe even in my daily struggles, you are here directing my ways. As I read your word, give me clarity and understanding so that I may solve complex problems. Grant to me the blessings of Abraham and Isaac. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.