God includes ordinary people in His plans (Genesis 26)
Gen 26:1-33
Hearing the obituary of famous people can at times be intimidating. It seems that some manage to cram into their lives more achievements than most of us could in two-three lifetimes. They may have a long list of books to their name or plays or films or music albums. In their spare time they may have served on the board of directors of several multinational companies, mentored others who in turn came to be famous, invented ingenious devices, established business chains and so on. Our head reels even just listening to their accomplishments. How much more intimidating it must be for their children to live in their shadow, to be forever known as so-and-so’s son or daughter. The individualism of today’s world makes us more prone to wish for recognition in our own right – something that was less likely to bother someone like Isaac. Nevertheless, Isaac seems a plodder compared to Abraham or Jacob.
Isaac’s obedience
Our reading is the only chapter where Isaac appears as the main character and not as background and supporting act to his father or his sons. Even here, however, he is a quiet, even timid person, yet, God has a place for him in His plans of blessing. Like his father, Isaac faces the challenge of famine in the land, but perhaps because the family has become more established, God specifically warns him not to leave the land (Gen 26:1-2). It is in Canaan that the promised blessings will come, just as it was sworn to Abraham (Gen 22:16-18; 26:3-5). It would be tempting to exchange the land of promise for the land of plenty (Egypt was seen as the breadbasket of the Eastern Mediterranean because the annual flooding of the Nile ensured the irrigation of crops more reliably than rainfall in Canaan). Unlike Esau, however, Isaac will not give up the promise for the sake of immediate relief and so he stays in Gerar, north-west of Beer-sheba and on the southern edge of what later became Philistine territory.[1]
God’s help in need and in plenty
Despite his obedience, Isaac is also fearful and so lies about his wife like Abraham had done. So often we fight against our parents’ influence and then find to our horror that we repeat their mistakes. However, God is again merciful so that the ruse is discovered before any harm could come to Rebekah, and Abimelech once again proves himself above reproach by protecting the couple by law (Gen 26:11). In need, Isaac could count on God, and this is further confirmed by the plentiful harvest he reaps and the way his wealth accumulates (Gen 26:12-13).
However, having plenty creates its own challenges resulting in the envy and animosity of others. The Philistines fill up the wells Abraham has dug (despite the earlier covenant with Abimelech) and expel Isaac (Gen 26:15-16). Yet, Isaac is quietly persistent. He re-establishes his father’s wells and to affirm their legitimacy, he re-names them after the names that his father had given them (Gen 26:18). He does not retaliate but perseveres. The new wells keep being contested but eventually Isaac’s tenacity pays off and there are some gains, which he attributes to God’s hand (Gen 26:19-22). Isaac may be a naturally timid man, who at times gives in to fear, but he also shows himself to be a man of faith. God responds with the affirmation of blessing (Gen 26:24) and turns the tables when the Philistines come to seek an agreement from him as the stronger partner and one blessed by the Lord (Gen 26:28-29).
Ordinary people in God’s plans
Like Isaac, many Christians may feel that they are nothing out of the ordinary, who pale in comparison to those outstanding figures whose reputation of faith and achievements dominate the Christian landscape. Yet, we can take encouragement that even if we are not one of those high-profile heroes of faith, the Lord has a place for us in His plans and He provides for us in our need and in our plenty. We may be quiet, timid, we may feel that we have little to offer in comparison to others, but God can nevertheless use us and even when we falter, He is gracious to lift us up again.
[1] Although Abimelech and his people are described as Philistines, the people known as such from the judges’ period and later in David’s time only established themselves in Canaan around the 12th century BC. Thus, the people described as Philistines here are most likely an ethnically different group.
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