The life of Isaac was a life of faith and dependence on God. He had witnessed his father’s unshakeable faith in the face of trials and difficulty. Paul wrote in the book of Romans concerning Abraham’s faith, “He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God” (Rom 4:20).1
This legacy of faith was left as an example for Isaac to follow. There was not only a legacy of faith that was left to Isaac; there was also the legacy of the promises of God in blessing and bounty, in provision and possession. These must be maintained and guarded in a hostile environment.
As believers today, we also live in an environment that is hostile to God and His holy Word. For us also there are precious truths that have been committed to us by faithful ministers of the Word of God that must be maintained and guarded. The apostle Jude urged, “Earnestly contend for the faith [the whole body of truth contained in the Word of God] which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jud 3).
We are exhorted many times in the Word of God to safeguard these precious truths and so develop lives of conviction and commitment, while maintaining communion with God and dependence upon Him. Paul encouraged Timothy to hold fast the form of sound words that were passed on to him (2Ti 1:13). Bishops, or elders, are exhorted to hold fast the faithful Word that they have been taught (Titus 1:9). In the book of Revelation, the Lord gave this exhortation to the church in
Thyatira, “But that which ye have already hold fast till I come” (Rev 2:25). These things can certainly apply today to all who profess faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
It is noteworthy to see Isaac, early in his pilgrim life, going out into the field at eventide to meditate, or pray (Gen 24:63). Joshua was advised to meditate in the book of the Law day and night, to ensure prosperity, success and advancement in the things of God (Jos 1:8). Paul exhorted Timothy with similar words, “Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all [in all things]” (1Ti 4:15).
Isaac’s faith was tested when there was a famine in the land. The Lord appeared to him and told him not to go down to Egypt but to dwell in the land where he was. The Lord promised to be with him and to bless him. Isaac obeyed and the Lord rewarded his faith and blessed him abundantly (Gen 26:1-14).
The Philistines had stopped the wells that Abraham had dug. Isaac dug those wells again and called their names by the names his father before him had called them. Isaac’s action of reopening the wells expressed not only a desire to honour his father’s memory but also a desire to know the God of his father in a more intimate way and to walk in a way that was pleasing to Him, as his father had done.
The Lord exhorted through the prophet Jeremiah, “Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls” (Jer 6:16). The Lord also spoke through the prophet Isaiah to those who were willing to walk in a way pleasing to Him, “Thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in” (Isa 58:12).
Isaac had separated himself from the Philistines and their ungodly practices and behaviour (Gen 26:16-17). Believers, as those who belong to Christ, are called to a life of separation from the world and unto God. John wrote, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world” (1Jn 2:15). Paul exhorted in the book of Romans that the believer should not be conformed to this world or become like the world (Rom 12:1-2). In his second letter to Corinth, Paul warned of the dangers of being linked with the world (2Co 6:14-18).
Isaac’s servants digged and found a well of springing (living) water (Gen 26:19). The well of springing, or living, water is a picture of the Lord Jesus and the eternal life that He offers. He promised, “Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life” (Joh 4:14).
But the herdmen of Gerar strove with Isaac and his servants and claimed the well to be theirs. Isaac called the name of the well “Esek,” meaning “contention,” or “strife.” The world is against the Christian and there will ever be contention and strife between the child of God and the children of this world.
The Lord Jesus said, “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (Joh 16:33). He spoke these reassuring words, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (14:27).
Isaac’s servants digged another well, and strove for that also, and he called the name of it “Sitnah,” or “hatred.” The Lord Jesus said, “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you” (15:18).
Isaac removed himself from them and digged another well for which they did not strive and called the name of the well “Rehoboth,” meaning “room.” For the child of God, there will be no room to grow and mature in the things of God, no room for communion and fellowship with God until he removes himself from the associations and influences of this ungodly world.
Isaac’s servants digged another well and Isaac called the name of the well “Shebah,” meaning “oath” (Gen 26:32-33). The word “oath” reminds us of all the promises of God, particularly the promise of eternal life to all who trust the Lord Jesus as Saviour (Joh 3:16). Many are the promises and blessings that the child of God inherits through faith in the Lord Jesus.
Joshua reminded the people of Israel of the faithfulness of our covenant-keeping God, “Ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the LORD your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof” (Jos 23:14).
Paul praised God for His manifold blessings, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” (Eph 1:3).
When Abimelech saw how God had preserved and blessed Isaac, he had to acknowledge, “Thou art now the blessed of the LORD” (Gen 26:29).
1 Bible quotations in this article are from the KJV.
