In Your Bible Read This
Genesis 26.
Here Is Your Memory Verse
If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive
him. If he sins
against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to
you
and says, I repent, forgive him. Luke 17.3
Afterwards Talk About
This
What does Jesus mean when he says that,
"it is more blessed to give than to receive."
Something To Do Before
Next Time
Examine your heart and your past with Gods help to
discover your enemies.
In the light of this lesson and your need of Gods blessing
and prosperity
what must you do, again with his help? Do it before next time
either in person or by letter.
Written Diploma Work
Write a page about a modern Isaac that you either know
or have read about. Someone who has used their life selflessly
to bless others who are less fortunate.
Meditate On These Verses
Matthew 5, 43-48
- Spend
a Minute to Change the World
- Pray For Syria - 15,000,000
Arabs
- Christians there since
Antioch, 90% Muslim, 0.1% evangelicals
-
Be sure to
teach this lesson to others.
-
Always pray
and prepare well adding
-
your own verses and stories to
bring it to life.
We are going to look at the story of one of
the great men of the Old Testament. His name is Isaac and this
story is in Genesis 26, 1-33. We will see how Isaac went from
living in a situation of drought, famine and economic ruin to
having not only enough for himself, but also such an abundance
that he was able to bless an entire town.
More Blessed To Give
Than To Receive
Biblical prosperity is not getting rich
yourself, but having enough for yourself and a very great deal
more to give to others to advance the gospel and help the poor.
This is Paul's goal of 2 Cor. 9.8 and in chapters 8 and 9 he
explains this subject well. Jesus did not come to be served but
to serve and give his life. He said, "It is more blessed to
give than to receive." Mark 10.45, Acts 20.35.
Here Are Some Modern Isaac's -
George Muller - who provided for himself and thousands of
orphans.
Dr. Dowie built a city called Zion as a home for himself and
thousands more.
William Booth used his faith to help thousands of poor
British in the 19th century.
Miguel Diez from Spain is feeding thousands of street people
and children in Spain
and in 45 other countries.
Famine In The Land
Genesis 26.1 says there was famine in the land. Famine
comes because of drought and brings hunger, disease and civil
unrest. Many developing countries today still suffer regular
famine. Isaac wanted to run away to Egypt but the Lord
appeared and spoke to him. How did Isaac survive the famine?
Isaac Heard The Word Of The Lord
First he obeyed God and put his faith in
Gods word. Instead of eating his remaining food seed, he
sowed it in the dry land. Because he obeyed God by doing the most
unlikely thing in the most unlikely place, within one year Isaac
reaped one hundred fold and then began to prosper. Sadly, not
everyone rejoices when you are blessed. The Philistines envied
his Godly prosperity and poured earth and rocks into Isaacs
wells. Their king told him to leave. Genesis 26.6; 12-16.
Isaac Refused To Be Defeated By His Personal Failures
Even great men of God have their failings.
In Isaac's case he made the same mistake as his father Abraham.
Isaac was afraid of the Philistines and lied about his wife. God
made sure that he was caught, embarrassed and ashamed by his sin.
Genesis 26, 7-11.
We know that he repented because a man who
cherishes sin will not be heard by God, and Isaac was blessed
later on. He refused to be defeated by his failures and weakness
because if you are you never reach your promised land. If you
fall the only way forward is through honesty, humility,
confession and forgiveness. Psalm 66.18; 1 John 1,8-9; Proverbs
24.16, Micah 7,7-9.
Isaac Reopened The Wells Of Abraham
The wells had been stopped up by vindictive
Philistines after Abrahams death. Abraham had dug those
wells by hard work and sweat in the heat of the day. Genesis 26.18.
-
Who Are The Philistines Today?
Spiritually, they are powers of
darkness.
What Are Wells Of Abraham Today?
In years gone by our forefathers in
the faith have also dug spiritual wells with hard work,
toil and sweat in order to establish the church. Through
our neglect and carelessness, the powers of darkness have
come and filled them up. Some of Abrahams wells of
faith that must be re-opened in our day are -
Wells of believing God, Gen. 15, 4-6.
Wells of intercession, Gen. 18, 20-33.
Wells of sacrifice, Gen. 22, 1-14.
Wells of rescue, Gen. 14,14-16.
Isaac Perseveres Through Opposition
There are disputes and hostility over water
rights at Esek, quarrels at Sitnah, Genesis 26,19-22. If Isaac
had stayed there to argue for his rights, he would still be there
today but Isaac kept going. Finally, at Rehoboth Isaac digs a
well and no-one opposes him. He is encouraged and prophesies,
"Now the Lord has given us room and we will flourish in the
land." That very night the Lord appeared to him and
confirmed that prophetic word. Gen. 26,22-24.
A Final
Step To Release The Blessing
Remember how the Philistines treated Isaac ? Well, now
their king, his advisor and his military commander all come
to visit him. Instead of threatening Isaac again they come
with the most amazing lies and excuses for their former
behaviour. This time they want a peace treaty. Genesis 26, 26-30.
How would you treat these enemies who have done so much
damage and caused so much pain?
Isaac Was Kind To His
Enemies
Isaac displayed the spirit of Christ who
was to come thousands of years later. Isaac chose to treat them
well by preparing a meal of friendship for them and making a
covenant of peace with them. There was no vendetta or harsh words.
Genesis 26, 3-31. Matthew 5, 43-48, 6.14, Luke 17, 3-5. Love your
enemy or he will always be your enemy. Love may win him over.
Isaac's Servants Find Water
There is no coincidence in God's timing!
That very day when Isaac forgave his enemies the abundance of God
was released. They found enough water for seven wells, enough for
their own crops and animals, and more than enough to bless a town
of many people. They called it Beersheba, which means seven wells.
Isaac found blessing for himself and others by hearing Gods
word and by persevering through failure, hard work, hostility,
and kindness to his enemies. The water must have tasted very
sweet!
Taken from the
Joshua Project Unreached Peoples List
these people have no church and as yet
no cell, church or mission has committed themselves
to prayer, adoption or church planting among this people.
Malaysia
|
People Name |
Language |
Population
|
Sama, Southern (Bajau) |
Sama, Sibutu |
20,000
|
Sinama, Northern |
Sama, Balangingi |
30,000
|
Tausug (Sulu, Suluk) |
Tausug |
110,000
|
Temuan |
Temuan |
10,000
|
See all of the
lessons |