“Stay in this land for a while, and I will be with you and will bless you. For to you and your descendants I will give all these lands and will confirm the oath I swore to your father Abraham. I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and will give them all these lands, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed” – Genesis 26:3-4
Today, we look at an interesting story in the scripture, one that perhaps a lot of people are familiar with. It is about God prospering Isaac during a season of famine in the land of Gerar. It is one passage a lot of people turn to in difficult times to draw encouragement and wisdom. A study of the whole situation will help us better understand and appreciate the events that led to this. When God spoke to Isaac, He referred to the covenant between Him (God), Abraham and Abraham’s descendants. God was making it clear that this is the very basis of all dealings with Isaac. So, it wasn’t particularly because of anything Isaac did or didn’t do but because there was a covenant relationship God was committed to.
Also, further study shows that God had promised Abraham that his descendants will be as many as the sands on the sea shore. It is recorded that God gave Abraham one son (of promise). And so, for God’s promise to be fulfilled, it was necessary that Isaac also have descendants! This meant that Isaac and his family had to survive, famine or not! When you are in a covenant relationship with God, you are a child of purpose. God is prepared to suspend all laws of nature to ensure that His purpose is accomplished.
Enjoy your weekend and stay safe.
Confession: Thank you Lord for the Covenant relationship I have with you in Christ Jesus. Help me to rest my faith completely in You.
