A Treaty of Fear
Genesis 26
My Thoughts
Well, we've hear this story before. Going to a new place, a foreign land, saying that your wife is really your sister, thinking you may be killed because of her. Blah, blah, blah. Abraham did this twice and it caused problems both times. Now his son, Isaac, does the same. Exact. Thing. Wow. Once again, problems occur. Abimelech is upset because one of his people may have unknowingly committed sin by being with Rebekah. So he orders his people that anyone who touches her will be put to death.
After these events take place, Isaac is blessed by God and became rich and powerful, harvesting many crops, having many flocks and herds and servants. The philistines become jealous and ask him to leave. They realized that God was with Isaac and that is why he was so prosperous.
Abimelech wanted to have an agreement between him and his people and Isaac and his people. An agreement that they would not be harmed. They were afraid of Isaac because they knew God was with him. Really, they were more afraid of God. The last thing they wanted was an enemy that they could not stand against. So an agreement was made as such. Isaac showed them kindness by preparing a meal for them and eating and drinking together.
I think that what we can learn from this passage is that we don't have to have enemies. I think most of us already know this and many Christ followers probably have friends of different beliefs and faiths. Whether we are blessed in such a way that people see that God is with us or not, and whether they are jealous of or hateful towards us, we don't want enemies. Enemies are harder to witness to than friends.
Show others that you are not trying to be better than them. Show love and kindness to your friends, whether they follow Christ or not. Show love to your enemies as well. If you fight fire with fire, it makes the fire bigger. Show kindness to them. Say happy birthday, and mean it, say something kind, don't antagonize them. They may yet see that God is with you.
After these events take place, Isaac is blessed by God and became rich and powerful, harvesting many crops, having many flocks and herds and servants. The philistines become jealous and ask him to leave. They realized that God was with Isaac and that is why he was so prosperous.
Abimelech wanted to have an agreement between him and his people and Isaac and his people. An agreement that they would not be harmed. They were afraid of Isaac because they knew God was with him. Really, they were more afraid of God. The last thing they wanted was an enemy that they could not stand against. So an agreement was made as such. Isaac showed them kindness by preparing a meal for them and eating and drinking together.
I think that what we can learn from this passage is that we don't have to have enemies. I think most of us already know this and many Christ followers probably have friends of different beliefs and faiths. Whether we are blessed in such a way that people see that God is with us or not, and whether they are jealous of or hateful towards us, we don't want enemies. Enemies are harder to witness to than friends.
Show others that you are not trying to be better than them. Show love and kindness to your friends, whether they follow Christ or not. Show love to your enemies as well. If you fight fire with fire, it makes the fire bigger. Show kindness to them. Say happy birthday, and mean it, say something kind, don't antagonize them. They may yet see that God is with you.
Prayer Time
Now you talk to God about what you read, and you can even read this chapter of the Bible for yourself before you do.
Let me know your thoughts on this reading as well.
Thank you for taking the time to read, I pray that what you have read blesses and inspires you! Godbless!
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