Genesis 26:1-16 “Like Father, Like Son”

“When the men who lived there asked Isaac about his wife, Rebekah, he said, ‘She is my sister.’ He was afraid to say, ‘She is my wife.’ He thought, ‘They will kill me to get her, because she is so beautiful.’”
Genesis 26:7 (NLT)

Every blessing has its cost. If you prosper financially, people become envious. If you marry a beautiful woman, other men desire her. Even at age 60, Rebekah was very beautiful, and Isaac knew it. He was afraid that the lawless Philistines would kill him and take her. So Isaac lied and told Abimelech, the king of the Philistines, that Rebekah was his sister.

They say the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree. When Abraham was in the land of the Philistines, 90 years earlier, he told Abimelech that Sarah was his sister. But then God appeared to Abimelech in a dream and told him that Sarah was Abraham’s wife and that he was as good as dead if he did not return her to him!

Perhaps this Abimelech (probably a different person) had heard the story about Abraham, so he kept a watchful eye on Isaac. When he saw Isaac caressing Rebekah in a most unbrotherly way, he knew that she was his wife. Isaac had repeated the sin of his father.

Fear and temptation often go hand-in-hand. Because we are afraid we are tempted to lie or shrink back. But God blesses honesty and courage. The key to courage is knowing that God is with you and will help you stand.

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)

“Heavenly Father, forgive us when we have allowed fear to rule our hearts rather than faith. Help us believe that you are with us and that we have nothing to fear. Help us to step out in courage today wherever you lead us. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.”