In our look at Genesis 26, we are now ready for our second question:

What was the result of what they (Abimelech and the Philistines) saw in Isaac?

Abimelech moved in Fear (Genesis 26:28b-29)

Abimelech had admitted already that Isaac was mightier than they were (Genesis 26:16b). Now in Genesis 26:28-29, he said:

“We saw certainly that the LORD was with thee: and we said, Let there be now an oath betwixt us, even betwixt us and thee, and let us make a covenant with thee; That thou wilt do us no hurt…”

Abimelech and the Philistines became afraid of Isaac because of God blessing him as He had. They were afraid Isaac would attack them, and defeat them, and destroy them and their way of life. So they wanted to make a covenant with Isaac. Abimelech and Isaac did make a covenant of peace; and they did separate from each other.

The Bible is plain in Romans 12:17-21:

“Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.” (Romans 12:17)

“If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.” (Romans 12:18)

“Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21)

This is what Isaac did; and it is what we must do. We must seek peace, even with those that are outside of our circle; that is, with the children of the flesh. This is what Jacob did with Esau in Genesis 33.

However, 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 reveals we must separate, for we cannot have communion with darkness:

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14)

“Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord…” (2 Corinthians 6:17a-b)

God does not demand or command that we be disagreeable with the world. But He does command us not to have fellowship with the world. We must live in this world, and yet not be a part of the world in our walk. Christ even prayed in John 17:15:

“I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.” (John 17:15)

We must walk in peace; and we can, if we only follow Christ and His Commandments.

Genesis 26:31c says, “…and they departed from him in peace.”  Let Isaac be an example to us as we walk this journey in this world.

“Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.” (James 3:13)

“But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.” (James 3:14)

“This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.” (James 3:15)

“For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.” (James 3:16)

“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.” (James 3:17)

“And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.” (James 3:18)

Children of God, what our goal should be is found in James 3:18, “the fruit of righteousness.” This is what we should desire for the world to see in us; which is only “sown in peace of them that make peace.”

Therefore, in answer to our first question, “How, or what, did Abimelech and the Philistines see in Isaac?” They saw a Godly family; they saw the Blessings of fortune, or wealth, and power to Isaac from God; and they saw that God was with Isaac.

To answer the second question, “What was the result of what they saw in Isaac?” The result was fear in Abimelech, which caused him to seek a covenant of peace with Isaac. And so they departed in peace.