From Abraham to Isaac
Genesis 26:1–6 (NASB95)
1Now there was a famine in the land, besides the previous famine that had occurred in the days of Abraham. So Isaac went to Gerar, to Abimelech king of the Philistines. 2The Lord appeared to him and said, “Do not go down to Egypt; stay in the land of which I shall tell you. 3“Sojourn in this land and I will be with you and bless you, for to you and to your descendants I will give all these lands, and I will establish the oath which I swore to your father Abraham. 4“I will multiply your descendants as the stars of heaven, and will give your descendants all these lands; and by your descendants all the nations of the earth shall be blessed; 5because Abraham obeyed Me and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes and My laws.” 6So Isaac lived in Gerar.
God’s story in Genesis 26:1-5 marks a turning point, but the narrative has not fully shifted from Abraham and Sarah to Isaac and Rebekah. Isaac now stands as the patriarch, and Rebekah as the matriarch, yet their lives remain deeply rooted in the legacy of Abraham’s faith. The Lord appears to Isaac and repeats the promises first given to Abraham. Isaac is told to stay in the land, and God assures him of blessing, land, and descendants. The covenant does not start over. It continues, showing that God’s faithfulness spans generations and that His promises do not end with one person.
The text highlights the difference between biblical faith and what many call faith today. In the Bible, faith is not about believing that God exists. Abraham and Isaac never doubted God’s reality. Faith means trusting God’s word and acting on it. Abraham “heeded my call and kept my mandate: my commandments, my laws, and my teachings.” Isaac follows this pattern. When famine comes, he obeys God’s command to stay rather than flee to Egypt. True faith is obedience and trust in God’s promises, even when circumstances are hard.
God’s purpose for the Jewish people is clear and reiterated in this chapter. He says, “all the nations of the earth shall bless themselves by your offspring.” The mission is not just for one family or nation. God’s people are chosen to be a blessing to the world. This calling does not end with Israel. The Church, as spiritual Israel, now shares this purpose. We are called to deliver the Good News about the Messiah to every nation. The mission of blessing and witness continues through us.
For the modern church, this story calls us to live as covenant people. We must trust God’s promises and obey His commands, even when the way is uncertain. Our faith should show in our actions, not just our beliefs. We are called to be a blessing to our neighbors and the world, sharing the hope of Christ. God’s faithfulness to Abraham and Isaac assures us that He will keep His promises to us as well. Let us carry the Good News forward, confident that God’s plan is still unfolding His people.