Sowing in tears

Genesis 26:1-35

Key Verse Psalm 126:5

** In this passage, before expecting the year to be fruitful, we can learn what we must first do, that is, sowing seed in tears, especially the seed of the word of God. 

Verse 1a describes two famines – the famine Abraham underwent and the famine of Isaac’s time.  The Bible says that God never forsakes the righteous or their children (Psalm 37:25). Why then did God send a famine (or allow a famine to occur) in the land of Isaac, the son of Abraham, a righteous man? 

** God sent this to demonstrate that God is the God of providence providing for his children even in time of severe famine. For those who believe, this sort of famine is God’s blessing in disguise. When the night is dark, the Christmas light becomes brighter. So it is in time of famine that the Lord God makes his power of providence more clearly seen. 

Verses 1b-6 show us that Isaac obeyed God’s direction (“Do not go down to Egypt”) in the time of famine. It was not an easy command for anyone to obey. Yet, how do you think he was able to obey? Why is this obedience important? What spiritual application(s) can we find in Isaac’s example?

** He was able to obey because he believed in God’s promises. 

** This obedience provided Isaac with the basis on which the Lord could bless Isaac and thereby distinguish him from those who are disobedient. Yes. We need to believe. But we also need to prove our faith through obedience. Faith without obedience is not faith at all. 

** We learn that in times of difficulty, we should not waver from the direction God wants us to go. Rather we must hold onto the promises God gave us, and continue to work to do His will, that is, seeking first his kingdom and his righteousness, striving to obey Jesus’ world mission command, even when we encounter all kinds of famines (especially the famine of hearing the word of the Lord). Gal 6:9 

Think about the episode described in verses 7-11. The word “thought” is repeated twice (7b, 9b), indicating that it was this “thought” that caused Isaac to almost lose his beloved wife Rebekah. What warning is there for us to heed in conducting ourselves as God’s children? 

** We are warned not to go by our own human thoughts, but rather we should discipline our thoughts according to what the Bible teaches. The biblical way of thinking helps us make a correct judgment about the world, people, and events. Hebrews 3:1; 4:12; 2Co 10:5

The phrase “in ‘that’ land” (verse 12) indicates that Isaac planted crops when the famine was still raging. How could he do this? How did the Lord bless him (12b-14)? What lesson(s) is there for us to learn in living a fruitful life despite difficult times?

** He believed in God’s promise to bless him. Heb 11:1

** 100 times [more than he expected]; local people became jealous of him.

** God is going to bless, but we must first go out and plant crops. 

Verses 14-33 describe the way Isaac related himself to Abimelech. What does Isaac’s example teach us about the way of a blessed life in the Lord? 

** It is to be blessed by God, not by human might, wisdom, wits, and ideas. When God is going to bless anyone, even if people try to stop you, still God blesses you. The point is the direction, that is, blessing should come through God to you and to others. When we have faith in this God, we can be generous to those who are hostile to us. 

In verses 34-35 the “Hittites” are referred to twice.  The Hittites were one of the seven Canaanite nations which the Lord commanded Joshua to drive out from the Promised Land (Joshua 3:11), emphasizing that Isaac was not as careful as was his father Abraham in seeing that his son marry a believing wife. How can we overcome a problem like this? 

** Abraham set a good example in Genesis 24. He believed in the God of providence. On that basis he positively prayed for the marriage of his children.

Read Psalm 126:4-6. What does Isaac’s example teach us about the practical meaning of “sow in tears” or “goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow”?  What seed are we to sow as God’s children? (Luke 8:11; 1Pe 1:23)

** 1) plant crops = sow the seed of God’s word by going out for fishing, meeting Bible students, planting in them the word of God, serving them as a spiritual farmer takes care of a plant (by watering, fertilizing, pruning, etc.)

2) dig wells = dig the word of God, so the word of God would enable us to see the spring of living water flowing from within. Digging wells also is symbolic of pioneering college campuses in this dry land. 

** Think about the practical decision(s) (or resolutions) you want to make in the year 2006, to ensure a fruitful life in the New Year.

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