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REFLECTIONS
Passive resistance

Rudy Friesen

Genesis 26

It was Isaac’s turn. He was next in the line of succession in God’s covenant with Abraham, the Lord appeared to Isaac to confirm this.

There was another famine in the land, and the Lord moved quickly to forestall an error Abraham had made in a similar situation. God said, “Do not go down to Egypt. . . . Stay in this land for a while, and I will be with you and will bless you. For to you and your descendants I will give all these lands” (Genesis 26:2-3).

Isaac believed God and stayed in Gerar in the realm of the Philistine king, Abimelech. He “became rich and his wealth continued to grow until he became very wealthy. He had so many flocks and herds and servants that the Philistines envied him” (26:13-14). Abimelech said to Isaac, “Move away from us; you have become too powerful for us” (26:16).

Isaac was forced to move from place to place because of the harassment of Philistine herders over his water supply. Isaac would not confront the herders and fight for his water wells. When he finally settled down at Beersheba, the Lord came to him and said, “I am the God of your father Abraham. Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bless you and will increase the number of your descendants for the sake of my servant Abraham” (Genesis 16:24)

Isaac built an altar there and worshipped God. He pitched his tent, and his servants began digging a well.

Abimelech meanwhile came to Isaac, and they made a treaty not to bother each other. The reason? “We saw clearly that the LORD was with you,” Abimelech said.

The same day Abimelech and his party left, the servants rushed to Isaac with the good news, “We’ve found water.”

This was a case of passive resistance rewarded. God so overwhelmed Isaac with His presence and promises that he patiently endured the hardships that came his way. It was God’s blessing of Isaac in a time of famine that forced Abimelech to seek peace with Isaac.

Reflections is a column of brief reflections on Scripture passages. This one is by Rudy Friesen of St. Catharines, Ont., who passed away Jan. 13 (see obituary). Freelance submissions (200-250 words in length) are welcome.

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Last modified March 24, 2000.

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