Genesis 26: “The Lord Appeared to Him and Said, ‘Fear Not’”
1. Famine and Divine Guidance
“Now there was a famine in the land, besides the former famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went to Gerar to Abimelech king of the Philistines. And the Lord appeared to him and said, ‘Do not go down to Egypt; dwell in the land of which I shall tell you.’” (Gen 26:1–2)
The story opens with famine — a recurring trial in salvation history. The same God who tested Abraham now tests Isaac.
But this time, Isaac is forbidden to go to Egypt; he must stay in the land of promise.
St Bede the Venerable comments:
“Abraham was tried by leaving, Isaac by remaining. Each obeyed in his own way, for obedience is measured by faith, not by motion.” (Commentary on Genesis, 26)
In every generation, faith is called to a fresh obedience — not imitation, but trust.
2. The Renewal of the Covenant
“Sojourn in this land, and I will be with you and will bless you; for to you and to your descendants I will give all these lands, and I will fulfil the oath which I swore to Abraham your father.” (vv. 3–4)
The Lord reaffirms the covenant made with Abraham — now spoken directly to Isaac.
The promise of land, nation, and blessing is identical; the relationship is personal.
St Augustine reflects:
“The covenant descends not by blood alone but by faith renewed. For each must receive the promise anew, as if it had never been spoken before.” (City of God XVI.26)
Faith is not inherited mechanically; it is embraced personally.
3. Isaac’s Faithfulness
“So Isaac dwelt in Gerar.” (v. 6)
A short verse, but profound: Isaac obeys immediately.
He trusts the God of his father and remains where others would flee.
The Fathers saw in Isaac the virtue of peaceful endurance — quiet fidelity without drama.
St John Chrysostom writes:
“He was not as famous as Abraham, nor as troubled as Jacob, yet his peace was pleasing to God. For some glorify Him by patience rather than by struggle.” (Homilies on Genesis LIII.1)
4. The Fear and the Lie
“When the men of the place asked him about his wife, he said, ‘She is my sister’; for he feared to say, ‘My wife,’ thinking, ‘lest the men of the place should kill me because of Rebekah.’” (v. 7)
Once again the pattern of weakness repeats — a human frailty inherited, not a divine command.
Isaac repeats his father’s fear, yet God’s mercy again prevents disaster.
St Bede notes:
“The lie of fear is recorded not to be imitated but forgiven; for the saints are not sinless but penitent.” (Commentary on Genesis, 26)
Scripture tells the truth about its heroes to show that grace, not perfection, carries the covenant.
5. Abimelech’s Discovery
“When he had been there a long time, Abimelech king of the Philistines looked out of a window and saw Isaac fondling Rebekah his wife.” (v. 8)
Providence exposes deceit without humiliation.
Abimelech’s rebuke is just but mild:
“What is this you have done to us? One of the people might easily have lain with your wife, and you would have brought guilt upon us.” (v. 10)
God preserves the covenant line even through human folly.
St John Chrysostom observes:
“The unbeliever reproves the believer, that the believer may learn humility.” (Homilies on Genesis LIII.2)
Often God uses the world to awaken the conscience of His people.
6. Prosperity amid Envy
“Isaac sowed in that land, and reaped in the same year a hundredfold. The Lord blessed him, and the man became rich, and gained more and more until he became very wealthy.” (vv. 12–13)
This blessing recalls the promise to Abraham — yet prosperity provokes envy.
“The Philistines envied him. Now the Philistines had stopped and filled with earth all the wells that his father’s servants had dug.” (vv. 14–15)
Earthly success brings hostility. Isaac must learn to preserve peace amid provocation.
St Ambrose reflects:
“The wells of Abraham stopped by envy are the Scriptures obscured by unbelief; but the faithful dig them open again, finding the water of truth.” (On Isaac 8)
Envy always seeks to bury grace, but patient faith uncovers it anew.
7. The Dispute over the Wells
“Isaac departed from there and encamped in the valley of Gerar and dwelt there. And Isaac dug again the wells of water which had been dug in the days of Abraham… and he gave them the names that his father had given them.” (vv. 17–18)
This image of reopening wells is deeply symbolic.
The faith of Abraham must be rediscovered in every generation — the old wells reopened, the old truths renamed and honoured.
St Bede writes:
“To reopen the wells is to interpret again the Scriptures, clearing away the earth of error, that the living water of truth may flow.” (Commentary on Genesis, 26)
Isaac restores what others buried — a pattern of the Church’s mission in every age.
8. Esek and Sitnah: Strife and Opposition
“But when Isaac’s servants dug in the valley and found there a well of springing water, the herdsmen of Gerar quarrelled with Isaac’s herdsmen, saying, ‘The water is ours.’ So he called the name of the well Esek, because they contended with him. Then they dug another well, and they quarrelled over that also; so he called its name Sitnah.” (vv. 19–21)
The wells symbolise truth and grace; the quarrels symbolise persecution and resistance.
St Ambrose comments:
“The herdsmen of Gerar represent those who dispute the Scriptures. The herdsmen of Isaac are the teachers of faith who yield, not to error, but to peace.” (On Isaac 9)
Isaac does not fight; he moves on — a quiet strength more powerful than argument.
9. Rehoboth: The Well of Room
“He moved from there and dug another well, and they did not quarrel over it; so he called its name Rehoboth, saying, ‘Now the Lord has made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land.’” (v. 22)
Rehoboth means “broad place” or “room”.
After patience, peace comes — not by conquest, but by perseverance.
St Bede the Venerable writes:
“The spacious well is the Gospel, which flows freely when envy has been left behind. Charity makes room where strife narrows.” (Commentary on Genesis, 26)
Peace is not escape but enlargement — the heart widened by trust in God.
10. The Theophany at Beersheba
“From there he went up to Beersheba. And the Lord appeared to him the same night and said, ‘I am the God of Abraham your father; fear not, for I am with you and will bless you and multiply your descendants for My servant Abraham’s sake.’” (vv. 23–24)
After trials, God appears again — confirming His presence and promise.
“Fear not” — the heart of covenant assurance.
St Augustine notes:
“Fear not, says the Lord, not because dangers cease, but because I am with you. For love casts out fear, and the presence of God makes the soul bold.” (Sermon 38.4)
Isaac builds an altar — the natural response of faith renewed.
11. The Covenant with Abimelech
“When Abimelech went to him from Gerar with Ahuzzath his adviser and Phicol the commander of his army, Isaac said to them, ‘Why have you come to me, seeing that you hate me and have sent me away?’ They said, ‘We see plainly that the Lord is with you.’” (vv. 26–28)
The persecutors now seek peace.
Isaac’s patience bears witness more eloquently than resistance.
St John Chrysostom remarks:
“By enduring injustice, he overcame hostility; for patience has a power that arms cannot match.” (Homilies on Genesis LIII.4)
The covenant meal that follows prefigures the Eucharist — peace sealed by shared bread.
12. The Naming of Beersheba
“They rose early in the morning and swore an oath with one another… That same day Isaac’s servants came and told him of the well they had dug, and said, ‘We have found water.’ He called it Shibah; therefore the name of the city is Beersheba to this day.” (vv. 31–33)
The pattern completes: trial, patience, peace, and blessing.
Where his father swore covenant, the son renews it — continuity of grace through fidelity.
St Bede comments:
“The well of oath signifies the Church, where baptismal water seals the covenant of peace between God and man.” (Commentary on Genesis, 26)
13. The Grief of Esau’s Marriages
“When Esau was forty years old, he took to wife Judith… and Basemath… and they made life bitter for Isaac and Rebekah.” (vv. 34–35)
Esau’s worldly marriages close the chapter in sorrow.
He unites himself to the Canaanites, showing disdain for the covenant family.
St Ambrose remarks:
“Esau’s marriages to strangers signify the soul joined to worldly desire; such unions always bring bitterness to the spirit of faith.” (On Jacob and the Happy Life 3)
Worldliness always darkens joy.
14. Theological Summary
| Theme | Revelation |
| Famine and obedience | Faith perseveres in new trials |
| Renewal of covenant | Grace renewed in each generation |
| Conflict over wells | Patience amid persecution; rediscovery of truth |
| Divine reassurance | “Fear not, for I am with you” — presence over protection |
| Covenant of peace | Patience leads to reconciliation |
| Esau’s marriages | Warning against compromise with the world |
St Bede summarises:
“Isaac signifies the peace of Christ; his wells are the sacraments, his altar the Church, his patience the way of salvation.” (Commentary on Genesis, 26)
15. Moral and Spiritual Application
Stay faithful in famine. When life feels barren, remain where God has placed you.
Obey without imitation. Your call may differ from another’s, but faith is the same.
Reopen the wells. Return to Scripture, prayer, and the sacraments — truths buried by neglect.
Seek peace patiently. Yield before quarrel; God vindicates the meek.
Trust divine presence. “Fear not” — the Lord is with you, not merely ahead of you.
Guard your covenant. Do not mingle faith with worldliness.
16. Christ the True Isaac
Isaac’s life prefigures Christ’s peace and perseverance:
Isaac’s obedience in famine → Christ’s obedience in temptation.
His patience amid envy → Christ’s silence before accusers.
His wells reopened → Christ opening the living waters of grace.
His covenant meal with enemies → Christ reconciling all through the Eucharist.
St Ambrose beautifully concludes:
“In Isaac’s peace we behold the figure of Christ, who conquers by patience and reigns by love.” (On Isaac 9)
17. Closing Prayer
God of Isaac, Lord of peace and promise,
You call us to persevere in faith when trials arise.
Teach us to trust Your presence,
to reopen the wells of grace in our hearts,
and to build altars of thanksgiving wherever You bless us.
May we be peacemakers in a world of strife,
and drink always from the water of life
given to us in Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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