Like Father, Like Son (for good and bad)
Genesis 26:1-16
I. Another Famine (vs. 1-6)
a. In the ancient world what would make a regional famine more of a problem than in our modern world?
b. Where does Isaac go to survive the famine?
c. What does the Lord warn Isaac NOT to do?
d. What blessings / promises does God offer for obedience to His word?
e. Are the promises presented to Isaac different from the ones offered to Abraham?
f. What does Isaac choose to do?
II. “She is My Sister” (vs. 7-11)
a. What happens while Isaac and Rebekah dwell in Gerar?
b. How does Isaac presume to protect himself and where did he learn to do it?
c. What does Abimelech (not the same Abimelech from Genesis 20) see that challenges the “sister” claim?
d. Does Abimelech take the deception seriously?
How do you know?
e. What further constraints does Abimelech place on the Philistines on account of Isaac and Rebekah?
III. God Blesses Isaac (vs. 12-16)
a. What is the first indication in Gerar that God is blessing him?
b. Considering Isaac came to Gerar to escape the famine how would this hundredfold harvest enrich Isaac even more abundantly?
c. Was this blessing a “one and done” thing or a continuous stream of blessing?
d. How do the Philistines react to God’s blessing on Isaac?
APPLICATION: Can fear sometimes cause us to doubt and act contrary to our faith and replicate mistakes (sin) made by those who came before?
