A busy schedule has stalled my blogging, but I also have not found the story of Isaac nor Jacob quite as compelling as that of Abraham. Abraham is the spiritual giant in the family saga, but Isaac's and Jacob's lives are instructive as well. So it's time to get back to work, and take a look at Genesis again.
Genesis. 26. Just as his father had been years earlier, Isaac and his family faced famine, and Isaac went to the Abimelech, tribal king of the Philistines. Apparently, he was thinking of travelling further afield--to Egypt, because God intervened and told him not to go to Egypt. At this time, God renewed the Abrahamic Covenant with Isaac, promising him (1) seed, (2) land, (3) a nation, and (4) blessing and protection.
Do certain sins run in families? The whole concept of generational sin is interesting, since Isaac commited the same sin as his father did in regard to his wife. When the men of Gerar took an interest in Rebekah, he said that she was his sister, in an effort to protect himself from harm and possible death.
Upon discovering that Rebekah was actually Isaac's wife, Abimelech was incensed. (Note: It's not likely this is the same Abimelech that Abraham tried to dupe, but it is a man of the same name.) Abimelech's sense of the horror of the sin that his men could have committed against Isaac and his wife was deep and real. His orders to his people were decisive: "Anyone who molests this man or his wife shall surely be put to death." In an era when lust and adultery almost seem passe, Abimelech's reaction is startling. The pagan king seemed to have a much deeper sense of the consequences of sin and the sanctity of the marital union than God's chosen man, Isaac.
Interestingly, Isaac's stumble into sin occurred after what must have been a momentous spiritual occasion for him--the covenant encounter with God. It would be easy to condemn him out of hand. How, we might ask, could someone who had just met God personally, fall prey to sin so easily? We mustn't miss the lesson though. How many times have we experienced points of spiritual apex and victory, only to fall into sin or despair merely days or hours later? Our times of spiritual high may make us more vulnerable to fatigue, temptation, sin and discouragement. At such times, we need to hold on to the fact that spiritual strength does not come from mighty experiences but from God Himself.
2 Corinthians 12:9,10. Therefore, I will boast all the more about my weaknesses so that Christ's power may rest on me.
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