Isaac Practices Peace

Genesis 26:18-31

GOLDEN TEXT: “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”—James 5:16

THE record shows that Isaac inherited the great wealth of his father, Abraham, flocks, herds, etc., and that he increased thus is shown in the preceding verses [12-16] of this chapter—“The man waxed great, and went forward and grew until he became very great: for he had possession of flocks and possession of herds, and great store of servants: and the Philistines envied him.” At the time of this lesson, because of a drought Isaac had moved his establishment to the vicinity of Gerar. The Philistines had recognized God’s favor with Abraham and his great growth, and now they saw the same in respect to Isaac. Not wishing to encourage this growingly influential family, they had stopped the wells that the herdsmen of the north should not come their way; but Isaac’s herdsmen, not taking the hint, had dug the wells afresh, and this led the king or chief of the Philistines to come out plainly and request Isaac and his retainers to move to other parts, saying, “Go from us; for thou art much mightier than we.” They knew not when the strife between the herdsmen might mean a civil war, and in the interest of peace they urged Isaac not to remain too close a neighbor.

In compliance with the request, Isaac did change the seat of his encampment a distance down the valley, but again trouble broke out. The Philistines were still jealous and claimed the water wells found by Isaac’s herdsmen. But the man of peace would not permit of strife and moved his home again. Still angry feelings continued, and again he moved still farther away, and rejoiced that although the country was poorer, less advantageous every way, nevertheless he had peace for himself and his possessions.

There is a lesson for the Lord’s people here, a lesson of peace: blessed are those who are peaceable and peacemakers—blessed of God. They may not always prosper as well in outward and temporal matters, but they surely will be prosperous in their hearts, in their hard experiences, in their relationship to the Lord; they surely will make the better progress in the fruits and graces of the spirit, and be the better fitted and prepared for the glorious opportunities to come, when, as the antitypical Isaac, associated as members of the Prince of Peace, they shall engage in the work of uplifting, refreshing and blessing all mankind.

Unquestionably, however, there are times when firmness is necessary, when principle is involved, and when retreat would be absolutely wrong; but such cases are we can often yield, and, as Isaac comparatively rare. Undoubtedly did, in so doing may find a provision of the Lord for our prosperity. Had the requirement of the Philistines been that Isaac should renounce the worship of the true God, we can readily see that the principle involved would have deterred Isaac from yielding; and so with us, we are to note carefully and stand firmly for everything involving principle.

Had Isaac and his servants been less numerous than the Philistines there would have been less merit in his conduct. We are to remember that, according to the words of the Philistines themselves, Isaac’s clan was greater than that of the Philistines. For the greater to be submissive, yielding, peace-loving, is peculiarly commendable. Too frequently it is the case that “might makes right,” and stronger ones bid the weaker, “Go yourself,” with the result of clashing, bitterness, resistance, etc. Let us, as the followers of the Lord in such matters, take the course of Isaac, and as the apostle exhorts, “as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men”; do not always stand upon your rights—be willing to sacrifice for the interest of others, or, at least, to preserve peace between yourselves and others.—Rom. 12:18

The Scriptures exhort, “In all thy ways acknowledge Him.” (Prov. 3:6) This is a matter which we feel is too frequently neglected in our day, even amongst the Lord’s consecrated people. But Isaac did not forget the source of his blessing—the naming of the well indicates this, “Now the Lord hath made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land.” (Verse 22) Our blessings increase in value and in efficacy and in the joys they bring to us in proportion as we recognize that they come from above. Let us, then, in all the affairs of life—the little as well as the big ones—look to the Lord for His blessing and guidance, and give thanks and acknowledgement as we perceive His hand in our affairs. So doing, we learn to trust Him more, and thus to receive a blessing ourselves as well as becoming a blessing to others.

It was at this time that the Lord appeared to Isaac in a vision, or through an angel perhaps, and assured him that the promise made to his father, Abraham, under divine blessing was sure to him, and he built an altar unto the Lord, rendering worship. Possibly Isaac was fearful that the course he, was pursuing, the course of peace, was an unwise one, and that the Philistines thereby would be encouraged to take advantage of him. It was at this time, then, that the Lord manifested. Himself especially to him and gave him assurances of His protecting care, and that all of His good promises to Abraham respecting the land and his own prosperity would be fulfilled.

To Isaac’s surprise, Abimelech, the king of the Philistines, with the chief captain of his army, visited him at his new home. They stated that they now saw plainly that the Lord was with Isaac, and said, “Let there now be an oath betwixt us, even betwixt us and thee, and let us make a covenant with thee; that thou wilt do us no hurt, as we have not touched thee, and as we have done unto thee nothing but good, and have sent thee away in peace: thou art now the blessed of the Lord.”

What an illustration Isaac here had of God’s overruling providence! By his course of peace he had not only gained the respect and friendship of those who were his enemies, but additionally, he had honored his God and incidentally honored himself, in that these men recognized the fact that the favor of God was with him. Surely we may learn a lesson in this, and appreciate more and more the Master’s words, “Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall be called the children of God.”

QUESTIONS:

Why did Isaac give up his wells and move his camp three times?

What was the result in his relations with the Philistines?

When may we follow Isaac’s example and when should we withstand opposers?

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