Isaac and Abimelech

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Introduction: As a person, Isaac was the type of man that hated to deal with conflict. This chapter shows him dealing a lot with what he liked the least—conflict. He has to be warned against going down into Egypt in order to avoid the troubles of famine. He then tells the same lie his father did in order to protect himself—except with Isaac, it was a complete lie. He makes a fortune, but has to deal with the envy of those who are jealous of him. Finally, he digs the wells of Abraham and has to battle over them. But…he comes out in the end. Watch this story and see how Isaac learns to deal with conflict in his life and how God blesses him in the end.

I.           THE BATTLES ISAAC FACED (26:1-21) 

A.   Facing Famine (v.1-5) 

1. A second famine (v.1; see 12:10)

2. The appearance of the Lord (v.2-5)

a.    The command not to go down to Egypt (v.2)

b.    The promises of Abraham restated (v.3-4)

c.    A reminder of the faithfulness of Abraham (v.5) 

B.   Facing Failure (v.6-11) 

1. Isaac lies out of fear (v.6-7)

2. Isaac’s lie is found out (v.8)

3. Isaac faces up to his lie (v.9)

4. God protects him despite his lie (v.10-11) 

C.   Facing Fortune (v.12-16) 

1. Isaac is greatly bledd in the land (v.12-13)

2. The Philistines envy Isaac’s wealth (v.14)

3. The Philistines stop up the wells of Abraham (v.15)

4. The Philistines ask Isaac to leave (v.16) 

D.   Facing Friction (v.17-21) 

1. Isaac digs again the wells of Abraham (v.17-18)

2. Isaac calls their names the same (v.18)

3. Isaac finds a well of springing water in the valley (v.19)

4. The Philistines fight him over Esek: meaning contention (v.20)

5. The Philistines fight him over Sitnah: meaning hatred (v.21) 

II.          THE BLESSINGS OF FAITHFULNESS (26:22-33) 

A.   Receiving Room (v.22) 

1. The third well does not bring contention

2. Isaac names the well Rehoboth: meaning room

B.   Receiving Reassurance (v.23-25) 

1. The Lord appears again to Isaac (v.23-24)

2. Isaac calls on the name of the Lord (v.25) 

C.   Receiving Reconciliation (v.26-31) 

1. The Philistines seek reconciliation with Isaac (v.26-29)

2. Isaac makes a covenant with them (v.30-31) 

D.   Receiving Refreshment (v.32-33) 

1. The same day Isaac’s servants find water again (v.32)

2. Isaac calls it Shebah: meaning an oath (v.33) 

Conclusion: What did Isaac do right in order to come out right in the end? 1) He obeyed God’s direct commands (v.2); 2) He admitted when he was wrong (v.9); 3) He did not use his advantage to hurt his adversaries (v.16-17); 4) He went back to the wells that had already been dug; i.e., he used the proven ways; 5) He remained faithful until the blessing came (v.20-22); 6) He called on the name of the Lord (v.25); 7) He made an agreement of mutual non-aggression with his enemies. How can we handle conflict today?

MEMORY VERSES:

1. Romans 12:18
2. Proverbs 24:10
3. Hebrews 12:4