Genesis 26:12-22 - Homiletics

A good man's prosperity.

I. WHENCE IT PROCEEDED .

1. The industry of Isaac . "Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold." An intimate connection subsists between diligence and prosperity.

2. The blessing of God . "And the Lord blessed him. As without Divine assistance the best contrived and most laboriously applied means may fail in the accumulation of material goods, so with heavenly succor the least likely instruments can achieve success. The harvests of the farmer depend more upon the goodness of God than upon the excellence of the plough (cf. Psalms 127:1 , Psalms 127:2 ).

II. IN WHAT IT RESULTED .

1. The envy of the Philistines . Envy, one of the works of the flesh ( Galatians 5:19 ; James 4:5 ), a frequent characteristic of evil men ( 1 Corinthians 3:3 ; Titus 3:3 ), an occasional infirmity of pious souls ( 1 Corinthians 3:3 ; Philippians 1:15 ; 1 Peter 2:1 ), and straitly forbidden by the law of God ( Exodus 20:17 ; Psalms 37:1 ; James 5:9 ), is commonly excited by observing the prosperity of others ( Psalms 37:7 ; Psalms 73:7 ; Ecclesiastes 4:4 ; cf. Rachel and Leah, Genesis 30:1 , Genesis 30:15 ; Joseph's brethren, Genesis 37:4-11 , Genesis 37:19 , Genesis 37:20 ; Acts 7:9 ; Miriam and Aaron, Numbers 12:1-10 ; the princes of Darius, Daniel 4:4 ), is usually accompanied with some degree of hatred (Cain, Genesis 4:4 8; Sarah, Genesis 16:5 , Genesis 16:6 ; Laban, Genesis 31:5 ), and inevitably tends, as in the case of the Philistines, to hostility, secret or open.

2. The suspicion of Abimelech . The growing power of the patriarch had filled the monarch's mind with alarm. Interpreting the character of Isaac by his own, he conceived it impossible to possess large resources without using them to acquire dominion over others. Modern kings and statesmen are scarcely further advanced, the prosperity of neighboring empires being commonly regarded as a menace to the liberties of their own. It is the mission of Christianity, as regards both nations and individuals, to show how power of every kind can be possessed without injury, and wielded with advantage, to the highest interests of others.

III. HOW IT WAS MAINTAINED . By—

1. Patience , or the exhibition of a meek and unresisting spirit in submitting to injury. When Abimelech requested him to leave the town of Gerar, he left. When the Philistines filled up his father's wells, he quietly dug them out again. When the herdmen of Gerar wrangled with his shepherds about a spring, he simply gave it up, and sought another; and when this too was disputed, he retired and sank a third. And all the while his flocks and herds kept on multiplying. A beautiful example of the spirit which Christ has enjoined ( Matthew 5:39-42 ): and of the promise which Christ has made ( Matthew 5:5 ) to his followers.

2. Perseverance , or the diligent exercise of means in selecting pasture grounds and digging wells; not permitting himself to be discouraged by the opposition of his neighbors, but, while peacefully allowing himself to be despoiled, steadily attending to his business. An illustration of that quiet, determined, and unwearied application which often contributes more to success in life than brilliant abilities.

3. Piety , or the grateful recognition of God's hand in putting an end to the irritation and annoyance of his neighbors, and giving him at last a comfortable settlement at Rehoboth. It is grace in God which affords quiet neighborhoods to reside in, easy circumstances to live in, and hopeful futures to trust in; and it is piety in us to acknowledge that grace.

Learn—

1. That there is only one royal road to material prosperity, viz; diligence and devotion.

2. That if material prosperity can procure comforts, it is also attended by drawbacks.

3. That material prosperity is often thrown away in litigation when it might be preserved by submission.

4. That material prosperity should stir the heart's gratitude to God.