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Genesis 26

1.     Again, we read of a famine in the land.  Several times God has used natural events to move people into their proper position.  Can you list some of these times when God has done just that?

Can you think of a modern example of such an event?

2.    Why do you think we are told that this is not the same famine of Abraham’s time?

During that earlier famine, where did Abraham go to survive?

Do you think Isaac knew about this?

To whom does Isaac go?

3.    Why do you think God told Isaac not to go to Egypt?

Isaac knows there is a famine in the land.  Now God tells him not to leave that area.  What would you be thinking?

What does God tell Isaac?

If we are not careful, we might read right past one of God’s miracles.  God tells Isaac to stay in this land where there is a famine.  What does God say He will do?

What do you think others would think that Isaac would prosper in the midst of a famine?

4.    In verses 3-4 God reiterates His promise to Isaac.  Why do you think He does this?

According to verse 5, why did this promise pass from Abraham to Isaac?

Have you ever viewed your actions as having an affect on your children’s spiritual future?

Is it possible that a promise of God might depend upon your obedience?  How does this make you feel?

5.    Isaac stays in Gerar.  Where is Gerar located?

6.    Now we read a story that is very familiar to us.  What does Isaac do that is very reminiscent of his father Abraham?

What did the men of that area do that caused Isaac to tell this lie?

According to verse 8, how long had Isaac been with the Philistines and Abimelech?

What was the danger for Rebekah during this time?

Not able to stay away from his wife, what did Isaac do?

What do you think Abimelech thought when he saw Isaac and Rebekah together?

7.    Once again we see how children learn from their parents.  Do you hold Abraham responsible for Isaac’s actions?  Please explain.

How do you explain Isaac’s actions after God had promised to take care of him and prosper him?

8.    In verse 10, Abimelech stated that “one” of the men might have slept with Rebekah.  What do you think he meant by “one” of the men?

What do you think Abimelech meant that such an act would have brought guilt upon them?

Do you think this is the same Abimelech who went through a similar event with Abraham?  (Note:  how much time has elapsed between Abraham’s visit and Isaac’s?)

What decision does Abimelech make?

What do you think he is thinking about this young man Isaac?

9.    Remember, they are in a famine.  What does Isaac do?

How do you explain his hundredfold return?

What would this mean for Isaac and his followers during this famine?

How do you think this affected Abimelech and the surrounding people?

10. As a result of God’s blessing, what happened to Isaac?

What do you think the Philistines were envious of?

Why do you think the Philistines did not attack Isaac and take some of his food?

Instead of attacking Isaac, what did the Philistines do?

Why do you think they did this?

Can you think of an example where people today actually hurt themselves in an attempt to punish their enemies?

11.  What does Abimelech tell Isaac to do?

Read Prov. 27:4.  How does this verse relate to Abimelech’s actions?

Why do you think Isaac left?

Where does Isaac go and what does he do once he gets there?

What is the significance of Isaac’s giving the wells the same name as his father Abraham gave them?

12. Verse 19 tells us that Isaac’s servants discovered a new well of fresh water.  How important would this have been?

What happened after they discovered this well?

Why do you think Isaac left that well instead of defending it?

What did he name the well?

13. What did Isaac do after abandoning the previous well?

What do you think Isaac said to his family when they wondered why they had to did another well?

What happened when they struck fresh water the second time?

What did Isaac name this well?

Isaac moves again and digs a third well.  What happens this time?

What does he name this well?

Look again at the names of each of the wells Isaac dug.  What do you think God is teaching him?

What can we learn from this?

14. According to verse 23, where does Isaac settle?

The LORD appears to Isaac there.  What does God say to him?

Had you been Isaac, what would be the difference between your father telling you about God’s promises and your hearing them from God Himself?

15. What does Isaac decide to do?

Why do you think he built an altar?

What is the significance of their building a well at the same place?

16. Then, as happened to his father Abraham, Abimelech pays Isaac a visit.  Whom does he bring with him?

Why do you think he brought these two with him?

What question does Isaac ask Abimelech?

In what way was Abimelech hostile toward Isaac?

What was Abimelech’s answer?  In other words, what was he after and why?

What was Isaac’s response?

What might have happened had Isaac chosen to hold a grudge and not make peace?

17. The last two verses are very interesting.  The focus shifts to Esau.  What did Esau do?

What affect did his actions have on Isaac and Rebekah?

Why do you think Isaac and Rebekah reacted this way?  Remember, what were Abraham’s instructions concerning Isaac and marriage?

What does this tell you about Esau?