The Book of GENESIS
Chapters 26 – 27
“Inherit The Blessings of God!”
Chapter 26 – “The Life of Isaac”
(v1-5) Abimelech - Most probably a Philistine dynastic title, with this being a different king from the one who had met Abraham. God confirms His covenant with Isaac. One last reflection with Abraham we notice that he “OBEYED and KEPT” God’s voice, charge, commandments, statutes, and laws.
(v6-11) Like father, like son, once again fear overrides FAITH.
(v12-16) Isaac sowed and the LORD blessed!
> Let’s learn the same principle through some “Sowing lessons”:
(1) Salvation that bears FRUIT (Mt. 13:1-9, 18-23);
(2) We are to sow to the SPIRIT (Gal. 6:7-9);
(3) We are sown in weakness and raised in GLORY! - 1 Corinthians 15:35-49
(4) Sow bountifully and REAP bountifully! – 1 Corinthians 9:6-15
(5) Prophetically God will sow with Judah in the LAST days (Zechariah ch. 10).
(v17-34) Here we see similar characteristics of Abraham revealed in his son Isaac,
- peacemaker (v17-21),
- generous (v17-21),
- industrious, faith that bears fruit (v22),
- God’s blessing (v24),
- a man of worship (v25),
- a man of testimony (v26-31),
- a man of his word – “shebah” means oath (v32-34).
Chapter 27 – “The First Shall be Last and the Last Shall be First”
(v1-17) The old switch-a-rooney! Some would suggest that Rebekah is scheming and being deceptive, which she is, but she’s also following the WORD of the LORD, let’s go back to the future according toGenesis 25:19-28.
(v18-26) Jacob follows his mother’s charade, why? Because he’s a mama’s boy and he lacks character and backbone, God will deal with this later.
(v27-29) This is a wonderful blessing that Isaac prays upon his son.
> Dads, let’s PRAY like this for our children, observe this five-fold prayer:
(1) PRAY for God’s PROVISION (“dew/water & food”);
(2) PRAY for your children to be LEADERS for God, not followers of this world (“people serve you”);
(3) PRAY for them to be VICTORIOUS over the “nations” (in Christ);
(4) PRAY for our children to be filled with INTEGRITY and GOOD CHARACTER, one who would leave a legacy for future generations;
(5) PRAY That God would “CURSE” those who are against him and a “BLESSING” upon those who “BLESS” him.
(v30-38) Let’s gleam understanding in regards to the heart of Esau as God explains in Hebrews 12:14-17 - Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears. (“Profane” in Greek is beebelos, defined as that which lacks a relationship or affinity to God - Vine’s Greek Dictionary)
(v39-40) What is the meaning of “you shall break his yoke from your neck?” – Through Esau came the Edomites, this tribe of people fought time and again with Israel (2 Kin. 8:20; 2 Chr. 21:8–10; 28:16,17).
(v41-46) Insight to murder –“Your brother comforts himself by intending to kill you” – By some insidious way the sinner finds comfort in murder, but if we would penetrate his darkness we will discover envy, jealousy, greed, pride! Esau gave away his birthright for a morsel of food; he had no heart for God, a godly heritage or inheritance.
> In conclusion: Let’s LOVE GOD,
LIVE for JESUS,
SOW to the SPIRIT
and inherit the BLESSING!