Sermon # 19 - God Knows Our Fears Series

For our study and meditation today let us read Genesis 26:23-24, From there Isaac went to Beersheba. The LORD spoke to him that night and said, "I am the God of your father Abraham. Don't be afraid. I am with you, and I will bless you. I will make your family great. I will do this because of my servant Abraham." (ERV)

The words of assurance that God spoke to Isaac was that he need not be afraid, because he had the surety that God was with him, and would certainly bless him. God knew the path that Isaac journeyed on, and he also knew the fears that must have seized his heart, no wonder then God appeared to Isaac, and strengthened him with these words.

If we were to look around at the circumstances that we are surrounded with, the question that is topmost on the minds of many people is, ‘Who is able to save us from these calamities?’ There is a sense of fear and apprehension that has gripped the hearts of many. The word that I believe God is giving to every one of His children is the same words of comfort God gave to Isaac saying, ‘Do not be afraid.’ For those of us who are constantly bombarded with news that is alarming and disquieting, we may wonder as to how one can in reality live without fear. Circumstances may not change in a hurry, but we have the guarantee that God is with us, which is all that we need to know. Isn’t it an overwhelming thought that the Almighty God is aware, and concerned to help us overcome this emotion called fear that often grips the human heart?

The Philistines were envious of Isaac

Isaac was the son of Abraham, and he was extremely wealthy. As we study the various incidents in the life of Isaac, we will understand as to how the Lord intervened to transform all of them.

We read in Genesis 26:14, “He had many flocks and herds of animals. He also had many slaves. All the Philistines were jealous of him.” (ERV)

Since there was famine in the land where they lived, Isaac was forced to move into the land of the Philistines, where he literally lived like a nomad. Though this was so, the Philistines who lived in that same land observed that Isaac prospered and flourished in every way. When the Philistines compared themselves with Isaac, they realized that Isaac was greatly blessed, and everything he did prospered. This led to the Philistines feeling envious towards Isaac, and all that he possessed.

The secret to Isaac’s blessing

The reason for Isaac’s manifold blessings is mentioned in Genesis 26:12, “And Isaac sowed in that land, and found in the same year a hundredfold: and the LORD blessed him.” (AFV)

Isaac as we see was blessed because the Lord had blessed him. However, the Philistines were not able to comprehend this. They could have approached Isaac to find out the secret for his success, he might have told them that it was the Lord Almighty who was responsible for this expansion. Instead the Philistines were so envious of Isaac and his accomplishments, that they tried hard to hamper Isaac’s progress.

Envy, the destructive emotion

This is what the word of God says about this emotion called envy.

We read in Proverbs 27:4, “Wrath is cruel and anger is overwhelming, but who is able to stand before jealousy?” (AFV)

Wrath and anger will both be obvious and evident to all. One look at someone can easily let us know that they are angry with us. On the other hand, it is almost impossible to figure out if someone is envious of us. Generally, such a person will speak cordially when they meet us, but once we are out of sight, they will speak ill of us. Envy is destructive, and that is why the word of God declares that no one is able to stand before it. When envy takes hold of a person it will make them behave in an abominable way. It is kind of natural for one to feel envious of someone who is doing better or being blessed more, but we should be cautious to deal with this immediately, before it instigates us do loathsome things.

The wicked schemes of the Philistines

This is what the Philistines did in Genesis 26:15, “And the Philistines stopped up all the wells that the servants of his father had dug in the days of Abraham his father. They filled them with earth. (LEB)

In the days of Abraham, his servants had dug many wells as they wandered from place to place in the wilderness. Water was a priceless commodity, and hence these wells were of utmost value both to the people, and their livestock for their survival. The Philistines who were blinded by envy, went around filling all these wells with earth, so that they cannot be used. One can imagine how hard it might have been to dig one well, and all that the Philistines could do was to close these wells. Envy made them so hard hearted that they did not want the wells to benefit themselves or others. That’s exactly what envy does to people. However, Isaac did not react to the Philistines who did such atrocities, but rather accepted the injustice that was meted to him graciously.