“When God Speaks”
Genesis 26:1-6
When you pray, do you expect to hear from God?
We often pray and when we do it is a time of request and asking God for blessings or direction.
But do we ever expect to hear an answer?
We should!
Genesis 25:7-8 “And these are the days of the years of Abraham’s life which he lived, an hundred threescore and fifteen years (175 years old). 8 Then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to his people.
Abraham the father of Isaac is now gone and once again there is a famine in the land.
We do not know the thoughts or plans of Isaac, but God does.
I. The Famine
Genesis 26:1 “And there was a famine in the land, beside the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went unto Abimelech king of the Philistines unto Gerar.”
This was not the famine that Abraham went through.
This one is another.
The first famine that was in the days of Abraham happened nearly an hundred years before the present one.
Has it ever occurred to the leaders of today that this world goes through cycles in our climate?
I remember several years ago the leaders of Michigan declared a drought and they needed to shut off all the pumping of water in the fear that Lake Michigan would dry up.
The very next year they are complaining because the water is so high, 12 inches above average, that the docks near the water are underwater.
We do know what Isaac did do…. “And Isaac went unto Abimelech king of the Philistines unto Gerar.”
Abimelech. Means, “My father, the king.” This was probably a standing official name. Even in David’s time a king of this country is called Abimelech.
Isaac came to this place from Lahairoi, where he had dwelt many years, see Genesis 24:62; which was at or near Beersheba, and was about eight miles from Gerar.
This was the place where Rebekah was taken and introduced to Isaac.
During this famine he journeyed to Gerar which was part of the Philistines.
Since we do not know what Isaac’s plan was we cannot make comment but we do know what God said.
Gen 26:2 “And the LORD appeared unto him, and said, Go not down into Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of:”
How easy it would be to go to a place where there could possibly be all that is needed.
OH how easy it is to look around and decide that the grass is greener in another place.
I was just wondering; would you be willing to ask God before you left the place where God has directed you to be?
We have been asked many times when we are moving to be near or Girls and all the grandchildren.
My answer is still the same, “When God tells me to go.”
Famine - hunger.
It can also be used to understand a shortage of God’s word.
Perhaps instead of leaving to find better pasture we should dig a well so that we may have the fresh living water of God’s Word afresh and new.
I know there are times when God directs a family to go where the Word of God IS preached; but just leaving without seeking the Lord’s direction will lead to many problems.
Illustration:
I am part of a prayer group of preachers and was asked to pray for a preacher who believes the Lord is directing them to build a new building that will cost 3 million. They will do this through the provision of God and not the financing of a bank. Halleluiah
One preacher wrote this “I am so tired of the problems that a building project brings that I am just willing to let the next guy handle it.” Think about that for a moment. WOW!
II. When God Speaks.
Genesis 26:2 “And the LORD appeared unto him, and said, Go not down into Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of:”
1. Go not into Egypt
Egypt is always a picture of the world.
Anytime you see interaction with Egypt you see God’s people in trouble.
a. The world will do all it can to cause you and me to agree to their ways.
It will be fun I promise.
No one will get hurt I promise.
God is not against you if you hang with us, I promise
We are your real friends I promise….
And the false promises go on and on and on!
2. Dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of:
What place is he telling Isaac to go? Vs. 3 This land!
Dwell - to settle down, abide, tabernacle, reside
How long LORD?
God will tell each of this, “Till I direct you.”
III. God’s Promise To Isaac
Genesis 26:3 “Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father;”
1. I will be with thee,
2. And will bless thee; for unto thee,
3. And unto thy seed,
4. I will give all these countries,
5. And I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father;
VS. 4 “And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed;”
6. And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven,
7. And will give unto thy seed all these countries;
8. And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed;
IV. God says why He will all this..
Because of your good heart and willingness to get along with others?
NO a thousand times NO!
Genesis 26:5 “Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.”
Because of the obedience of your father.
1. Abraham obeyed my voice,
Obeyed - to hear, listen to, to do!
Voice - thunder, proclamation
2. And kept my charge,
Kept - guard, observe, give heed
My Charge - place of confinement, guard post, watch.
3. [Kept] my commandments,
Commandments - mitsvah (mits-vaw’) the commandment (of God); (of code of wisdom)
4. [Kept] my statutes,
Statutes - limit, enactment, something prescribed
5. and [Kept] my laws
Laws - torah (to-raw’) instruction, direction (human or divine)
V. Obedience
Genesis 26:6 “And Isaac dwelt in Gerar:”
Simply put; Isaac did what God instructed him to do.
Conclusion:
We must stop here but we are not done with God speaking to Isaac.
Lessons to consider:
1. Are we listening when God speaks through His word?
2. Are we willing to obey when God gives direction?
3. Can we see that God will direct our for-fathers and that is the reason we are being blessed?
Then Do what God says.
