In our previous devotions, we have looked at the first two questions we asked about Genesis 26. Now we answer the third question: “What were the Reasons that Isaac was Blessed of God?” or “Why was Isaac Blessed of God?”

Today’s devotion lists three parts to the answer:

A. The Plan of God (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:” (Genesis 26:2)

God had a Plan for His Servant Isaac. He also had a certain Place for His Plan to be carried out. (See Proverbs 3:5-6; 19:21; Job 14:5c.)

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5)

“In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Proverbs 3:6)

“There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.” (Proverbs 19:21)

“…thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass;” (Job 14:5c)

The reason the Children of God have success is because of God’s Sovereign Plan. Not because of man’s plan, but because of God’s Plan. (See Psalms 37:23.)

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.” (Psalms 37:23)

Job said “thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass” (Job 14:5c). You are where you are because of God’s Plan.

The first step to success is the secret of surrendering to God as Lord and Master. When a Child of God surrenders his body, soul, and spirit to God as his Master; then he will be in the Place of God’s Best for him.

Once you follow Christ, and you find your surroundings are not pleasing to your flesh, you need to be very careful not to rebel or complain, but to be still and wait on God.

Many times, we are carried to the “Backside of the Desert” as Moses was for 40 years; or even carried to the Potter’s House to be re-molded into a vessel fit for the Master’s use (Jeremiah 18). And all the time we don’t think God has us in the right place. Child of God, God is always right. Just be still where He has led you and guided you and caused you to be.

God’s Blessing is not dependent upon you or your works – but upon His Plan. And because of His Plan, you will have works of faith.

Be sure you are in the right place. Seek God and He will lead you (Proverbs 3:5-6). Don’t question God, just surrender to Him and submit to His Word of Command.

B. The Purpose of God (Genesis 26:3-4)

In Genesis 26:3, God tells Isaac, “Sojourn in this land (the place where I have told you to go; see Genesis 26:2), and I will (not maybe, but will) be with thee, and will bless thee…” Then God continues in the rest of this verse and Genesis 26:4, to tell Isaac the Basis of the Blessings; God restates the Promise made to Abraham (Genesis 17), and this same Covenant was established with Isaac, Abraham’s son of the free woman, Sarah.

Again our Blessing is “in Christ,” not in our obedience. Our obedience is the result, not the requirement; for in Genesis 26:4c, it is “in thy seed.” And that Seed was Christ:

“Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.” (Galatians 3:16)

Genesis 26:5 says, “Because that Abraham obeyed...” The Blessing was based on the Oath of God (His Covenant); and the result was Abraham’s obedience.

Many people have confused the order of Blessings from God. Yes, the Blessings only flow to the obedient. But the obedient are obedient because of God’s Purpose in Christ Jesus. Therefore, if you are “in Christ,” then you are joint-heirs with Christ of the Inheritance. (See Romans 8:1-17; especially verses 16-17.)

“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:” (Romans 8:16)

“And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” (Romans 8:17)

Because of Faith (or Christ) indwelling you, you have the Perception, or the discernment, of Spiritual things (1 Corinthians 2:9-16); and the Power, the Power of Christ, to overcome all things in the Power of His Resurrection (Romans 6, 7, 8; 1 John 5:4; Philippians 4:13, 19; Galatians 2:20).

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)

Not only are you a “hearer” of God’s Word, but you are a “doer” of God’s Word (James 1:22). Why?

1. Because you walk in the Spirit of God, you are led of the Spirit, and you live in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16, 18, 25);
2. Because Christ is living His Life in your life (Romans 5:10, 17);
3. Because you have been set free from the law of sin and death by the Spirit of life (Romans 8:2);
4. Therefore, you have the Power to mortify the deeds of the flesh (Romans 8:8-16; Galatians 4:6-7). You are no longer a servant of unrighteousness, but a servant of righteousness (Romans 6:4-22).

Therefore, you are bearing the fruit of the Spirit:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,” (Galatians 5:22)

“Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” (Galatians 5:23)

C. The Path of the Believer (Genesis 26:6)

“And Isaac dwelt in Gerar:” Isaac was where he belonged according to God’s Plan and Purpose.

The key word here is “dwelt.” This word indicates that Isaac did as Jeremiah instructed the children of Israel that were taken to Babylon and placed in captivity:

“For therefore he sent unto us in Babylon, saying, This captivity is long: build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them.” (Jeremiah 29:28)

That is, make a life where God has led you. Dwell there, live for God, be His witness wherever He has led you and placed you.

You can spend your time in rebellion and murmuring and complaining – or you can be still, follow God, bear fruit of righteousness – and be blessed as a testimony of God’s Power in the midst of Abimelech and the Philistines (or in the midst of this world).

Child of God, our path is not of our own choosing, nor of our own design. But, it is to be a path of obedience, having surrendered to God as Master, and having submitted to His Will and His Word.

Note Genesis 26:6, 12, 18, 24-25, and 32. These verses describe how Isaac accepted where God had placed him:

1. He “dwelt” there (Genesis 26:6);
2. He “sowed” seed (Genesis 26:12);
3. He “digged” wells (Genesis 26:18);
4. He worshipped God in that place, in Beersheba (Genesis 26:24-25);
5. They found water in the last well they dug, “We have found water” (Genesis 26:30-32). It appears this was the same well in Genesis 26:22 which he called “Rehoboth”; which means “room.” God had made “room” for Isaac in Beersheba:

“For now the LORD hath made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land.” (Genesis 26:22c-d)

Child of God, the Reason of your Blessings from God is that He has made room for you.
He Planned it, and He Purposed it, and He Performed it – because of His Eternal Purpose in Christ (Ephesians 1:4-11; 3:1-21).