Genesis 25:19-Genesis 27
When Isaac had been there for some time, Abimelech king of the Philistines looked down from the window and was surprised to see Isaac caressing his wife Rebekah.
Genesis 26:8
Required Reading
Devotional
While there are so many different directions we could approach today's reading, I'm most struck by the influence of the past on the present. There are a couple places I think this plays out in our reading today but let me focus on just one. Look at Genesis 26:7 and tell me if this doesn't sound familiar.
Where have I heard this before?
And haven't I heard the name Abimelech before?
In chapter 26, Isaac repeats the sins of his father Abraham and attempts to deceive the king of the land by saying that their wife is their sister, all in the name of self preservation.
I imagine if Abraham were living, he would be watching his son's actions and think, "No, don't do what I did!" Yet, this is exactly how life plays out so often. The behaviors and actions of the generations that came before us will likely be repeated in our own lives if we aren't intentional about avoiding them.
My guess is that as you read this you too can think of behaviors and habits in your life that are reflective of your family history.
Perhaps you watched your parents struggle with addictive behaviors like alcoholism, drug abuse or promiscuity and you find yourself particularly tempted by those same things.
Perhaps you notice that all of the marriages in your family history end in divorce and you find yourself doubting whether you can be in covenant with someone forever.
Perhaps none of the men in your family were ever present in their children's lives so you expect little from fathers.
Whatever it may be, without acknowledging our past we are likely to repeat it.
But here's the good news. That same truth means we have the opportunity to forge an entirely new future with our behavior and actions today. While he didn't go about it in an honorable way, Isaac's son Jacob took his future into his own hands when he stole the blessing that was intended for Esau. The words that Isaac spoke over him set the course for his future and the future of his descendants.
So I think today, there are two questions we must consider. First, how has our family history influenced our behavior, actions and habits. And secondly, what are we going to do today to change the course of our future?
Today, take time to reflect on these questions. Ask God to reveal to you His truth and equip you with the evidence to support it for both yourself, and for others you know.
When the men of the place asked about his wife, he said, “She is my sister,” for he was afraid to say “my wife,” thinking, “The men of the place will kill me on account of Rebekah, for she is a beautiful woman.” -Genesis 26:7
Where have I heard this before?
When he was about to enter Egypt, he said to his wife, Sarai, “Look, I know what a beautiful woman you are. When the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ They will kill me but let you live. Please say you’re my sister so it will go well for me because of you, and my life will be spared on your account.” -Genesis 12:11-13
And haven't I heard the name Abimelech before?
While he was staying in Gerar, Abraham said about his wife Sarah, “She is my sister.” So King Abimelech of Gerar had Sarah brought to him. -Genesis 20:1-2
In chapter 26, Isaac repeats the sins of his father Abraham and attempts to deceive the king of the land by saying that their wife is their sister, all in the name of self preservation.
I imagine if Abraham were living, he would be watching his son's actions and think, "No, don't do what I did!" Yet, this is exactly how life plays out so often. The behaviors and actions of the generations that came before us will likely be repeated in our own lives if we aren't intentional about avoiding them.
My guess is that as you read this you too can think of behaviors and habits in your life that are reflective of your family history.
Perhaps you watched your parents struggle with addictive behaviors like alcoholism, drug abuse or promiscuity and you find yourself particularly tempted by those same things.
Perhaps you notice that all of the marriages in your family history end in divorce and you find yourself doubting whether you can be in covenant with someone forever.
Perhaps none of the men in your family were ever present in their children's lives so you expect little from fathers.
Whatever it may be, without acknowledging our past we are likely to repeat it.
But here's the good news. That same truth means we have the opportunity to forge an entirely new future with our behavior and actions today. While he didn't go about it in an honorable way, Isaac's son Jacob took his future into his own hands when he stole the blessing that was intended for Esau. The words that Isaac spoke over him set the course for his future and the future of his descendants.
So I think today, there are two questions we must consider. First, how has our family history influenced our behavior, actions and habits. And secondly, what are we going to do today to change the course of our future?
Today, take time to reflect on these questions. Ask God to reveal to you His truth and equip you with the evidence to support it for both yourself, and for others you know.
Reflection Questions
- In the devotional, we saw how Isaac repeated his father Abraham's mistake of lying about his wife being his sister. Can you think of any examples from your own life where you've repeated behaviors or patterns from your family history?
- Why do you think it's so common for people to fall into the same patterns as their parents or ancestors? What makes breaking these cycles challenging?
- The devotional mentions addictive behaviors, divorce, and absentee fathers as examples of negative patterns. What are some positive patterns or traits from your family history that you'd like to continue?
- How do you think our actions today can influence future generations? Can you give an example of how someone's choices have positively impacted their descendants?
- The devotional refers to Jacob taking his future into his own hands, albeit in a dishonorable way. How can we proactively shape our futures in a way that aligns with God's will?
- What role do you think faith and spiritual growth play in breaking negative generational patterns?
Go Deeper
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Genesis 25-36
Eyewitness Bible
Lessons from Family Relationships
The Bible Project
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