It’s easy to skip chapter 26 on the way to reading in chapter 27 how Jacob and Rebekah conspired to gain the blessing that Isaac intended to give to Esau. But we should take note of how God spoke to Isaac, telling him to stay in the land of Canaan, rather than going down to Egypt to escape the famine (Genesis 26:2-3). God would bless Isaac by giving him all the land of Canaan, and by multiplying the number of descendants like the stars of heaven (26:4).

“I will establish the oath I swore to Abraham your father … because Abraham obeyed my voice and kept my charge” (26:3, 5). The promise was given to Abraham, who did not live long enough to see it come true, and now it was given to Isaac, who also would not live long enough to see it come true. And God would renew that promise: “I am the God of Abraham your father. Fear not, for I am with you and will bless you and multiply your offspring for my servant Abraham’s sake” (26:24).

I think we can’t help feeling a certain tension here: the Lord is the God of Abraham, but does not declare, “I am your God, Isaac.” The Lord is with Isaac and will bless Isaac, but that blessing is “for my servant Abraham’s sake,” rather than simply being a blessing for Isaac’s own sake. The covenant promises to establish the descendants of Abraham as a great nation of people faithful to Yahweh: but this story makes us wonder whether it will all peter out in the second generation.

So Isaac remained in Canaan, living as a foreigner among the Philistines, thinking to pass off Rebekah as his sister, as Abraham had in earlier times (26:6-11). There were disputes with the Philistines over wells (26:12-22). Finally there is a sworn covenant between Isaac and the Philistines, who had come to see “that the Lord has been with” Isaac (26:28); the peace treaty was established with oaths and a communal meal (26:29-31).

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“Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done” (Luke 22:42).

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The road to your kingdom is rocky, Lord: we often feel uncertain as to the way we should go, uncertain about the people around us, and uncertain where we stand with you. Nevertheless, we will trust in you, for you alone can sustain us in the hard times.

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