Isaac and Abimelech – Genesis 26

There was a bad time in the country where Isaac lived.
There was no food. There was no water.
Isaac went to see Abimelech, the king of Gerar.
He was Abraham’s friend.
God told Isaac not to go to Egypt. He must stay in Gerar.
He would bless Isaac and all his family there.
Isaac’s father, Abraham had loved and obeyed God.
Isaac loved and obeyed God too.

Isaac told a lie.
He told the men of Gerar that Rebekah was his sister.
Rebekah was very pretty.
He thought they would kill him if they knew she was his wife.
One day Abimelech saw Isaac kissing Rebekah.
He knew then that she was Isaac’s wife.
He was very cross. He asked Isaac to come and see him.
He said, “Why did you tell a lie?
Rebekah is your wife not your sister. You are very silly.
Somebody else could have married Rebekah.”

Abimelech said nobody must hurt Isaac and Rebekah.
Isaac planted corn and there was a good harvest.
He became very rich.
Lots of people did not like this. They filled up the wells.
Abimelech told Isaac to move away.
They went to live in Beersheba.
Abraham had lived there.
Isaac knew God was with him and he was safe.
God came to Isaac one night.
God said, “I am the God of your father Abraham.
I am with you. I will bless you and all your family.”
Isaac thanked God.

Abimelech came to see Isaac. They became friends again.
God was with Isaac.
But Esau and his wives were not friends with Isaac and Rebekah.