warm-up

Recall a time when you obeyed a rule that you wanted to disobey. Why did you want to break the rule and what happened because you chose to obey instead?

Have you experienced receiving something good when you were expecting the opposite? Tell us about it.

What is one blessing you received that benefited not just you, but also the people around you?

word

12And Isaac sowed in that land and reaped in the same year a hundredfold. The Lord blessed him, 13and the man became rich, and gained more and more until he became very wealthy. Genesis 26:12,13

(Read also Genesis 26:1–14.)

Scripture tells us that Isaac became wealthy because the Lord blessed him. People around him also saw how God moved in his life and acknowledged that he was blessed of the Lord (Genesis 26:29). God assured Issac that the covenant He had made with Abraham still stood, and that He would establish the oath that He swore to Abraham. Today, we will look at three things Isaac did when God gave him a command.

1
Isaac obeyed God’s command.

And the Lord appeared to him and said, “Do not go down to Egypt; dwell in the land of which I shall tell you.” Genesis 26:2

During this time, there was a famine in the land. Instead of seeking God, Isaac sought refuge in Egypt, where provision was sure. While Isaac was in Gerar, God stopped him from going further south to Egypt by giving him a command and assuring him that He would give them land where they could dwell. Isaac obeyed God. Share about a time you obeyed what you felt the Lord was telling you.

2
Isaac settled in the land.

So Isaac settled in Gerar. Genesis 26:6

In obedience to God, Isaac remained in Gerar and settled there. Further on in Scripture, it describes Isaac as having stayed there for a long time. He dug wells, his flocks multiplied, and he dwelt among the people there. That Isaac settled in the land means that he began putting down roots and preparing for a long stay in Gerar. He fully embraced the plan that God had for him in that season, and God blessed him. Do you embrace the plan of God for you wholeheartedly?

3
Isaac sowed in the land and reaped a hundredfold.

12And Isaac sowed in that land and reaped in the same year a hundredfold. The Lord blessed him, 13and the man became rich, and gained more and more until he became very wealthy. Genesis 26:12,13

Reaping a hundredfold means that Isaac reaped a hundred times what he had sowed. Isaac could have just waited for God to give His next instruction. But Scripture tells us that when God commanded him to stay, instead of being passive, Isaac worked hard and sowed in that land. God blessed him more and more until he became very wealthy. How are you making the most of the season God has placed you in? How can you be expectant for the favor and blessing of God?

application

What is one area of your life where you need to obey God? What is one thing you can do this week to act in faith in this area?

What can you do to make the most of the season God placed you in right now?

Do you know someone who needs to know of God’s faithfulness? What can you do this week to help bring this person closer to God?

prayer

Pray that you will continue to see God’s faithfulness in your life. Pray for the grace to look only to Him even when times get difficult.

Ask God to give you the grace to obey Him. Pray that He will enable you to see your situations through eyes of faith.

Thank God for remaining faithful in spite of your unfaithfulness to Him. Pray that through the blessings He provides, people around you would be inspired to draw near to Him.

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Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®)
Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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