Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1926-05-20


Isaac was a chill of the covenant
and given in the time of the old age
of Abraham and Sarah in fulfillment
of Gods promise (Gen 1910. His
name means laughter reminder of
the gladness of the heart of his mother
when she learned that she was to
have a son. As to character he was
gentle, meek. meditative and peace low
ing. He was a remarkable contrast
to his father Abraham. Two things
may have affected him to his disad
vantage.
/. The shadow of his lllustrious
father.
Sons of great and rich men com
monty do not make much of life. The
necessity of struggle is not forced
upon them.
2. He was brought up as the only
child of his mother.
The tendency in such case would
be to shield him from the necessity Of
self-effort so that he would be unable
y
child should be compelled to think
for itself and to fight its own battles.
While not a mighty man by natures
gifts, through the blessings of Gods
grace he became the inheritor of the
covenant promise He was not only
meek man, but man Of PRAYER as
well (Gen. "a :63; % :21 26 1925.
|. Isaac in Gerar wv. 12-1T.
l. The Lord appeared unto him wv.
Id
Because of famine in the land Isaac
went into the country of the Phil
istines This distress should have
moved him to call upon the Lord
GAS 49, 1t were better to suffer
in the land than to go among the
enemies of Gods people. The Lord
graciously appeared to him there and
directed him not to go into Egypt, thus
avoiding the error of bis father.
2. His lapse wv. 7-1D.
He fell into the same temptation as
Abraham many years before Gen. 20:
49,. When one goes into the enemy's
country he can expect to be tempted
to do wrong
3, His prosperity wv. 12-1D
Isaac did not intend to make Gerar
his permanent place of abode. He in
tended only to sojourn there While
there he sowed and reaped bounti
fully. This prosperity was no proof
that God approved of his course.
u. lsaac's Enemies wv. 1920.
Isaac was not permitted long to
enjoy this fruitful land. His prosper
ity melted the envy Of the Philistines.
Success in any calling In life will pro
yoke envy. Ministers and Sunday
school teachers sometimes become en-
vious of each other. The PhiliStines
ordered Isaac to leave them. Wher-
ever envy has begun its deadly work
there must be separation. They took
as the method of getting rid of him
the stopping up of the wells. Isaac
did not contend with them but peace
ably withdrew to another place where
he proceeded again TO dig the wells of
his father. The Philistines again
strove with him. He named this place
Esek, which means contention, and
again he removed from them The
second name he gave was Sitnah,
which means enmity This willingness
to remove from the enemy shows his
willingness to be imposed upon rather
than to fight The third time he dug
wells there was no strife. The name
given to this was Rehoboth. which
means room We should learn from
his behavior that the way to have
peace is to wear out our enemies with
patience.
ILL., Isaac in Beersheba wv. 23-33)
Immediately upon Isaacs going up
from among the Phiistines the Lord
appeared to him. The Lord permits
envy and strife in the world in order
to get his children separated from
them Following this visitation by the
Lord Isaac built an altar and called
upon His name. AS soon as Il meeting
place with Jehovah was established he
pitched his tent there. Following this
his servants dug well. No use go
ing among tile Philistines to get water.
After Isaac was established in Beer
Sheha, Abimelech came desiring TO
make an alliance with him He gained
influence by peacefully Withdrawing
from them Being thus convinced They
desired to enter into covenant rela-
tionship with him The way to gain
influence With the world is to with
draw from il.