#35: Promises Confirmed

Genesis 26:1-6

Now there was a famine in the land—besides the previous famine in Abraham’s time—and Isaac went to Abimelek king of the Philistines in Gerar. The Lord appeared to Isaac and said, “Do not go down to Egypt; live in the land where I tell you to live. Stay in this land for a while, and I will be with you and will bless you. For to you and your descendants I will give all these lands and will confirm the oath I swore to your father Abraham. I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and will give them all these lands, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because Abraham obeyed me and did everything I required of him, keeping my commands, my decrees and my instructions.” So Isaac stayed in Gerar.

Comments

This passage is about the promises God originally made to Abraham and now reaffirms to Isaac and all his descendants. Note what God specifically promises to do:

·        I will be with you.

·        I will bless you.

·        I will give you a place to live.

·        I will confirm what I have promised.

·        I will multiply your descendants.

·        I will bless the whole world through you.

It may be even more important to note the context in which God made these promises: Isaac and his family were famine-stricken refugees living among the dreaded Philistines. 

Reflections

The promises God made to Abraham and reconfirmed to Isaac were wonderful. How many of these promises has God made to you as well? Are there other equally wonderful promises God has given you?

God made these promises to Isaac in the midst of hard times. Have there been difficult times in your life when the promises of God brought hope and comfort? Which one stands out most powerfully in your memory?

Prayer

Blessed are you, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who reminds us of promised blessings even when we feel unblessed.