Scripture:
Genesis 26:7-11 ESV
[7] When the men of the place asked him about his wife, he said, “She is my sister,” for he feared to say, “My wife,” thinking, “lest the men of the place should kill me because of Rebekah,” because she was attractive in appearance. [8] When he had been there a long time, Abimelech, king of the Philistines, looked out of a window and saw Isaac laughing with Rebekah, his wife. [9] So Abimelech called Isaac and said, “Behold, she is your wife. How then could you say, ‘She is my sister’?” Isaac said to him, “Because I thought, ‘Lest I die because of her.’” [10] Abimelech said, “What is this you have done to us? One of the people might easily have lain with your wife, and you would have brought guilt upon us.” [11] So Abimelech warned all the people, saying, “Whoever touches this man or his wife shall surely be put to death.”
Observation:
Isaac is the son of Abraham. The son of GOD’s promise. But we see the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. If we look back a few chapters, we see the example Abraham gave was just like what Isaac did. He feared for his life because he had a beautiful wife, and as a result, he told a lie. His fear was of man even though he was blessed by GOD. It’s a good thing, Abimelech was paying attention, or there would have been big trouble in the kingdom. Abimelech’s fear was in the right place. His reaction was correct. He made sure everyone knew not to touch Isaac’s wife.
Application:
Through Jesus Christ, the chains can be broken. We don’t have to be like our parents. I remember when I was growing up, I told myself, “I’m not going to be like my dad.” Only to find myself at 18 years old doing the same things. I didn’t know anything different. It didn’t hit me until I got out of prison, and honestly, many years after, being in and out of jail destroying families, and finding myself homeless, that I was doing the same thing he did. I had no fear. I know today that all those things are a testimony of redemption. GOD had a plan all along. That plan includes a healthy fear of HIM. A true desire to follow HIS son, and not to drift to the right or to the left. I used to look back and regret a lot of things, and honestly, if I could go back, there is a lot I would do differently. However, GOD used all those things to bring about a desire for HIM. I no longer want to or feel the need to lie steal do drugs or many other destructive behaviors that I picked up as a child. My fear today is not of man it’s a healthy fear of GOD, and it produces right living. I want my life to bring HIM glory. I want to live in a manner that others see Jesus in me.
Prayer:
Father, help us to make the right decisions, decisions based on what You would have us do. I know sometimes we let the world get in the way and influence us to get on the wrong path, but you always have a wonderful way to turn us around. Father, I ask if there is someone reading this right now who finds themselves doing things they know are not right. I pray that You will show them the right way. Let them see the light that is Your Word and allow it to light their path from the front of Your Word to the back of Your Word. You call us to repent and let us hear that and change our lives to fall in line with You. We do NOT want to be lukewarm. Let the flame of our lives be seen by others so that they will turn to You. We thank You in advance for what You are about to do today. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen.