“And they said, We saw certainly that the LORD was with thee…” (Genesis 26:28)

Genesis 26 relates the story of Isaac as he moved from Hebron to Gerar, the Land of the Philistines, because of a famine in his own land (Genesis 26:1).

Isaac dwelled in Gerar, not in Egypt, because God had led them to this place, even though they were strangers there. Just like Abraham had done previously on his trip south because of famine – Isaac lied unto Abimelech (the king of the Philistines) about Rebekah. Isaac told Abimelech that Rebekah was his sister, not his wife. He said this to save his own life.

However, it was shown to Abimelech that Rebekah was Isaac’s wife. The remainder of this chapter relates what Abimelech and the Philistines “saw” in Isaac and in his family. Because of what they saw, they feared Isaac and made a covenant with him to protect the Philistines from future harm. Then Isaac separated from the Philistines and finally settled in Beersheba.

In applying the events that happened to Isaac and Rebekah in this chapter, to the present-day Child of God, note the answers to the following questions:

1. How, or what, did Abimelech and the Philistines see in Isaac?
2. What was the result of what they saw in Isaac?
3. What were the reasons that Isaac was blessed of God?

A. Abimelech saw Family (Genesis 26:8-11)

Abimelech stands as a type of the king of the children of the flesh. These “flesh” dwellers know some things. They know the value and sanctity of marriage. When Abimelech realized that Rebekah was indeed Isaac’s wife and not his sister, as Isaac had said (Genesis 26:8-9), then Abimelech asked Isaac this question (Genesis 26:10a):

“What is this thou hast done unto us? one of the people might lightly have lien with thy wife, and thou shouldest have brought guiltiness upon us.” (Genesis 26:10)

“And Abimelech charged all his people, saying, He that toucheth this man or his wife shall surely be put to death.” (Genesis 26:11)

Genesis 26:10b-11 stand as a testimony that Abimelech understood the sin of adultery and fornication.

Even in this world we live in (the 21st Century), people have a conscience of God’s Law; and therefore have a respect for a Godly marriage. They know of and are aware of the sanctity of marriage, and when that bond is violated, there is guilt associated with this act.

Therefore, the “Born Ones of God”; the Regenerated Children of God; those indwelt by the Holy Spirit of God; those who are empowered by the Power of Christ living in them – have a great responsibility to live Godly in their marriages; for the children of the flesh can see when God’s Children live according to the Word of God in their daily lives. Genesis 26:8b says:

“Abimelech king of the Philistines looked out at a window, and saw, and, behold, Isaac was sporting with Rebekah his wife.”

A husband and wife form a powerful witness in the marriage bond:

“For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.” (Ephesians 5:31)

“This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.” (Ephesians 5:32)

The children of the flesh take note of this powerful witness of God, and revere this God-ordained institution. This kind of witness of the married Children of God is all-important in this present age we live in. God made a statement in Ephesians 5:31-32 that is a fact, not fiction. This world needs to see Christ and His Bride, the Church; and the Beauty and Blessings of the same. Christ plainly states in Ephesians 5:22-33, in the physical married relationship, is a great Spiritual Message of Christ and His Bride.

Therefore, it is imperative for the husband and wife to live in truth, walk in truth, and work in truth, before this world. Even when the wife has to go outside in daily activities of this world, she is protected in truth. When the husband and wife live Godly, true to their vows to God and to each other, this world will respect their Godly union.

This is what Abimelech and the Philistines saw in Isaac and Rebekah.

Oh, what a Provision God has encamped around a Godly marriage; a Provision of Protection. Amen and Amen!

B. Abimelech saw Fortune (Genesis 26:12-16)

These Scripture verses relate that Isaac was blessed by God “an hundredfold… the man waxed great… and grew until he became very great” (Genesis 26:12-13).

The Philistines saw this; they saw how God had blessed Isaac’s seed harvest, flocks, and possessions; “and the Philistines envied him” (Genesis 26:14).

Then finally Abimelech said, “Go from us; for thou art much mightier than we” (Genesis 26:16).

All through the Bible, God blessed His People as they surrendered to Him as Lord and Master; submitted to His Word; obeyed His Word of Command; and endured in the same. (Read Deuteronomy 28:1-14.) Based upon obedience, God blesses His Children.

Abimelech and the Philistines saw that Isaac was an obedient child of God, and that brought on envy. They wanted the Blessing of God, but denied “the power thereof” (2 Timothy 3:5). They realized that Isaac was now “mightier than we” (Genesis 26:16). This revealed who they were. The Light reveals the darkness of disobedience, rebellion, etc. The children of the flesh detest when God’s Children are blessed by doing right, and not evil – as the children of the flesh do – to acquire gain.

Therefore, it is a witness against the children of the flesh; and they desire that the Children of God depart from them.

C. Abimelech saw the Fame (Genesis 26:28a)

“And they said, We saw certainly that the LORD was with thee (with Isaac)” (Genesis 26:28a)

There is no way to hide God’s Protection, Provision, and Power to his obedient Children. This is all appointed of God. John said:

“Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain…” (John 15:16a-b)

Paul said:

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10)

To the Chosen of God, God’s Plan and Purpose is to declare the Glory of God in them by His Mighty Power of Grace transforming them from deadness in sins and trespasses, to being alive in Christ Jesus. God’s Purpose from the beginning (Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21) is to reveal Himself to His People and through His People; to reveal His Love, Grace, Mercy, and Power. To show that He is God, and there is no other God, but the Great I AM, Jehovah, God, even Jesus Christ.

“For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4:6)

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” (2 Corinthians 4:7)

God has revealed Himself in Creation; and in Christ; and in His Children. That He is God and God alone. That He has all Power in heaven and in earth (Matthew 28:18; Romans 1:4). That He alone is Love – manifested in Christ and in His Atonement for sin. God alone is the Alpha and Omega; the Beginning and the End. He alone is Life; the Author of all Life; the Controller of all His Creation; and the Consummator of all things.

He chose Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to reveal His Everlasting Covenant. It was ratified in Christ Jesus on the Cross. It was proven by His Resurrection from the dead, His Ascension, His Return, His Rule and Reign forever and ever in the Holy City, His Bride, the Church (Revelation 21 – 22).

Abimelech and the Philistines “saw certainly” that the Lord (Jehovah) was with Isaac. So it has been, is, and shall ever be with the Children of the Promise (Romans 9:8-24).

The world is aware that God is King of His Kingdom; and they see God working in and through His People of Promise. There is no denying God’s Provision, Protection, and Power to His Children, His Body, even the Church of Jesus Christ. He promised “the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18c). Christ is the Wall of Fire about His Bride, the Church. And He is the Glory in the midst of Her.

“For I, saith the LORD, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her.” (Zechariah 2:5)

Yes the Church will be hated and persecuted and may be called to a martyr’s death. But nothing can ever separate the Church from the Love of God (Romans 8:29-39). Even in death shall the Glory of the God be declared; and it has been, in all the deaths of the persecuted saints. Even in death, the world knows that God is certainly with His Children. See Stephen in Acts 7:59-60, “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge”; and Christ in Luke 23:34, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.”

Abimelech saw that God was with Isaac. It was not magic; it was not Isaac’s works – but they knew it was God. Therefore, they knew they had better make a covenant of peace with Isaac; and they did (Genesis 26:28b-29), so as not to be overtaken or destroyed by Isaac, God’s blessed servant.

When the Scriptures say that these people saw God was with Isaac; it means they not only saw the physical blessings, but they saw the testimony of God living and abiding in Isaac, who was a righteous man, a man of faith.

The fame of Isaac was not so much his wealth, but his Power with God and from God. The world can see the Righteousness of a Child of God as he walks in the light (John 8:12). They can see the Power and Peace that is the basis of the Righteous Child of God’s attitude, actions, and attire.

This Light condemns the flesh dweller and it brings fear within him:

“And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” (John 3:19)

“For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.” (John 3:20)

But the flesh dweller cannot deny the Blessings of God upon the Light Walker. Therefore, he wants to get away from the Fame of the Light.