Genesis 26:1-6 – God’s faithfulness endures forever

This event we read here had probably taken place earlier. What we read here is not a chronological account. It is likely that this event took place before Jacob and Esau were born. The name of the king was Abimelech and his military commander was Phicol. Though their names were identical with the king and the commander that Abraham encountered in Genesis 21, they could not be the same people. Why? The Abimelech and Phicol of Isaac’s time were at least 75 years apart from that of Abraham’s time.  It was very likely that both Abimelech and Phicol were just titles and not actual names.   

What we read here tells us that Egypt was a poplar place where people would flock to during seasons of famine. It seems Isaac was planning to go there for there was a famine.  As we have said earlier, because of the rich supply of water from the River Nile, Egypt was not affected by the famine. What the people experienced here was also the same as what Abraham had experienced. With the plenteous fresh water of the Nile to irrigate the land, famines seldom occurred in Egypt.

Isaac had planned to go down to Egypt as Abraham had done earlier. But the Lord had other plan. So he was told in verse 2, “Do not go down to Egypt; stay in the land of which I shall tell you.” To assure him, God reiterated the promise He had made to Abraham. He was told that he would have descendants as numerous as the stars and he would be given lands. Furthermore his descendants would have a ministry to all the nations on earth. It appears that Isaac was assured so he stayed in Gerar.

This account tells us that God is faithful and committed. He will never fail in a single promise that He has made. Though Abraham was long gone, yet God did not eradicate the promise He had made to him. So He reiterated it to his son. We are in good hands when we place our trust in God. He guarantees it with His integrity. We can trust Him absolutely!