Chapter 4
In Times of Famine
The Reading: Genesis 26:1-6, 12- 14
The Problem:
Abraham had recently died and Isaac inherited the bulk of his sizable estate, including the household, servants, and livestock, among other things. But there was a famine in the land. The famine was a threat to their lives and their wealth so Isaac, looking for greener pastures, decided to pack everything up and move to Egypt for the duration of the famine, because he knew the Nile River always flowed with water.
Throughout history, Egyptians have lived almost exclusively in the Nile River Valley and its expanded delta, which is probably where Isaac was headed. At that time, the Egyptian religion was a complex system of polytheistic beliefs and rituals that were an integral part of ancient Egyptian society. It centered on the Egyptians' interaction with many deities who were believed to be present in, and in control of, the forces of nature.
Previously Abraham had moved to Egypt for the duration of a famine (Genesis 12:10), and he got into a predicament because of his lying about Sarai being his sister instead of his wife (Genesis 12:16-19). He also ended up bringing home with him a woman named Hagar, the Egyptian handmaid of Sarai who gave her to Abraham to bear him a son (Genesis 16:1-16), and that decision caused even more problems.
The Turning Point:
Perhaps because of the struggles Abraham faced in Egypt (like father like son?), or maybe because of the pagan influence in Egypt (only God knows why), God appeared to Isaac and said, “Don’t go to Egypt. Live in the land in which I tell you to live.” Then God promised Isaac many blessings if he would obey and stay in Gerar instead of Egypt. Now Isaac knew not going to Egypt would be risky, because he was dependent upon the resources of the land for his continued prosperity, and those would surely be scarce during a famine.
But regardless of what he thought might be the best thing to do in view of the upcoming famine, and completely contrary to the wisdom he had gained from years of experience in handling crops and livestock, Isaac obeyed God’s warning and stayed in Gerar. Now Gear wasn’t an easy land in which to live. This was a Philistine town located in what is today south central Israel. This was where Abimelech king of the Philistines lived, and the people were very harsh and strong idol worshippers.
The Miracle That Followed:
Isaac may have received enough of an inheritance from his father that he wouldn’t ever have to work another day in his life. But he worked hard anyway in Gerar, and prosperity came to Isaac as the blessing upon his hard work. Even though there was a famine going on, Isaac reaped a hundred-fold return on his crops. But that was not happening elsewhere in the land. As a matter of fact, the Lord miraculously blessed Isaac so much that the Philistines became jealous and told him to move out.
The Bottom Line:
I believe this passage proves that the Lord is always with those who walk with Him, listen to His commands, and trust Him to keep His promises. But as we lean on the promise “He will never leave us nor forsake us” found in Deuteronomy 31:6 and Hebrews 13:5, we must also check our own hearts and habits to determine if we have forsaken the Lord.
Obedience brings showers of blessings! If you are faithfully walking with the Lord rather than walking in the ways of the world, God can bless you even in the middle of a famine, because God is the true source of all our blessings.
