Genesis 26:6-11 Believers must act out of trust and peace, not out of fear

Genesis 26:6-11  Believers must act out of trust and peace, not out of fear

So Isaac lived in Gerar. 7 When the men of the place asked about his wife, he said, “She is my sister,” for he was afraid to say, “my wife,” thinking, “the men of the place might kill me on account of Rebekah, for she is beautiful.” 8 It came about, when he had been there a long time, that Abimelech king of the Philistines looked out through a window, and saw, and behold, Isaac was caressing his wife Rebekah. 9 Then Abimelech called Isaac and said, “Behold, certainly she is your wife! How then did you say, ‘She is my sister’?” And Isaac said to him, “Because I said, ‘I might die on account of her.’” 10 Abimelech said, “What is this you have done to us? One of the people might easily have lain with your wife, and you would have brought guilt upon us.” 11 So Abimelech charged all the people, saying, “He who touches this man or his wife shall surely be put to death.”

Background

Upon God’s divine directive to remain in the land, Isaac responds in faith and live in Gerar, the land of the Philistines. Although Isaac has displayed tremendous faith in this respect, he is distressed by the notion that someone in coveting his wife will murder him. Isaac resorts to falsehood to cover up his true relationship with Rebekah. Isaac’s secret life results for the couple years of unnecessary hardship that affected their family life. Isaac’s fears are eventually proven as unfounded as God’s protection continue to reign over Isaac’s household. Today’s devotion teaches us to always act out of trust and peace, not out of fear.

Observation

When the men of the place asked about his wife, he said, “She is my sister,” for he was afraid to say, “my wife,”

Isaac obeys the divine directive and stays in the land of Gerar trusting that what God has promised He will fulfil. However, Isaac’s faith cannot dispel the fear that some secret admirer may resort to murdering him for his wife. Isaac, like many believe that the devil is always in the details. Hence, he lies to deal with an imaginary threat that he supposes God may overlook. Isaac believes for the most part that God is all-powerful and faithful to the end. However, the clear and present threat is too much to bear and besides, falsehood is cheap and easily implementable. As we know it, a lie cannot be concealed for long: It came about, when he had been there a long time, that Abimelech king of the Philistines looked out through a window, and saw, and behold, Isaac was caressing his wife Rebekah. Consequently, Isaac receives a swift rebuke from the Philistine king. Abimelech, even as a gentile is shown to be morally upright and perhaps even God-fearing. But he does not come close when compared to Isaac who possesses the divine promise and the covenant of God.

Truth

Believers must act out of trust, not out of fear

Isaac’s fear is proven as unfounded by virtue of the fact that he is alive and well after he had been there a long time while disguised as Rebekah’s brother. The secret life of Isaac connotes fear, unbelief and certainly not characteristical of a patriarch. The anxieties and stress that are inherent in the wife-sister scheme is uncalled for. If only he places complete trust in God, they will have lived life more abundantly and become a potent witness of God in a foreign land.

Why do faithful people act out of character? Fear that is unyielded to God causes faithful people to act out of character bringing unnecessary trouble upon themselves. Therefore, if believers are to experience miracles and breakthroughs, they must exercise complete trust in God and not yield to human insecurities. Even mature believers are susceptible to acting out of fear and anxiety to “help” God bring about His will. And many live to regret it. Therefore, believers must learn to wait on God and let the peace of God reign over all things. The apostle Paul encourages believers to always let the peace of God guard your hearts and minds in Christ and not be given to fears and anxieties (see Philippians 4:7). By dwelling on whatever that is true, pure and right, which is the word of God, the peace (or blessing) of God will be with you (see Philippians 4:8). Beware that we do not act contrary to the divine peace within us. Sarah, in responding to the weakening virility of her husband and her own barrenness resort to using Hagar as concubine. What is to Sarah a well thought out human initiative result in the beginning of a living hell in the household, a thorn on the side of the nation Israel. The promise for Abraham to bear a son in no uncertain terms includes Sarah as the mother of the child. But Hagar has now become uncontrollable, a very source of rivalry and bitterness. Although Isaac is to exercise common sense to protect himself in a foreign land, but to lie about his relationship with Rebekah betrays his covenant with God.

Jesus teaches about God’s relentless and meticulous attention to every detail of a man’s life,

Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows. Matthew 10:30-31

If God cares even for the seeming worthlessness of a sparrow, how much more valuable is man that we should worry and act outside of God’s promises! God’s care over a man’s body comes down to the fate of every hair on his head. Therefore, God’s people must never worry but dwell on the word of His promises. As we wait upon Him, we exempt ourselves from unnecessary hardships and in due time receive our breakthrough.

Application

Do you have a tendency to act out of your insecurities? In doing so, we live outside the boundaries of God’s kingdom and incur unnecessary hardship. Are you waiting for God to provide for your financial need? Or are you anxiously waiting for a response from someone important? Refrain from acting out of anxiety and pragmatic reasoning, for it only produces more chaos and confusion. Begin each day by opening your heart in expectation of God’s grace by feeding on the word. In doing so, we receive divine directives and courage that leads to unprecedented breakthroughs. The prophet Isaiah says,

Yet those who wait for the Lord
Will gain new strength;
They will mount up with wings like eagles,
They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become weary. Isaiah 40:31

Dear Lord, I release my anxieties to you knowing that in your time I will experience the fulfilment of your promises. Reveal to me your truths and your divine directives. Give me the assurance and courage to wait. Bless me and give me as a gift to the nations that needed your salvation. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.