What does Genesis 26:2 Mean?

Study Notes

Go not down
Cf.

I am God

It is important to distinguish between the directive and the permissive will of God. In the first sense the place for the covenant family was Canaan Genesis 26:1-5 ; Genesis 46:3 is a touching instance of the permissive will of God. Jacob's family, broken, and in part already in Egypt, the tenderness of Jehovah would not forbid the aged patriarch to follow. God will take up His people and, so far as possible, bless them, even when they are out of His best. In Israel's choice of a king 1 Samuel 8:7-9 in the turning back from Kadesh Deuteronomy 1:19-22 in the sending of the spies; in the case of Balaam--illustrations of this principle are seen. It is needless to say that God's permissive will never extends to things morally wrong. The highest blessing is ever found in obedience to His directive will.

Context Summary

There was no harm in Isaac's going to Gerar, as he had a distinct command to that effect, Genesis 26:2-3. But he does not seem to have been strong enough to stand the test of residence there. He might have received into his soul that sufficient grace which is always within the reach of tempted men; but, like so many of us, he looked down and not up. What could have been more reassuring than the promises of the divine presence and blessing! But he was guilty of incredible meanness to the woman who had come so far to be his wife, and of deceit to Abimelech. Notice how the sins of the fathers repeat themselves in the children! It was a disappointing lapse from the glorious height on which he had stood when he yielded himself to God's call on Mount Moriah! But we have experienced the same contrasts within ourselves. Now on the mount of transfiguration, asking to live there, and then in the valley, quarreling for pre-eminence. But, notwithstanding all, God's loving-kindness does not fail. See Genesis 26:12. [source]

Chapter Summary: Genesis 26

¹  Isaac, because of famine, sojourns in Gerar, and the Lord blesses him
⁷  He is reproved by Abimelech for denying his wife
¹²  He grows rich, and the Philistines envy his prosperity
¹⁸  He digs wells
²³  God appears to him at Beersheba, and blesses him;
²⁶  and Abimelech makes a covenant with him
³⁴  Esau's wives