Success Training Bible Study - Genesis Chapter 26

Chapter 26 (Pressure Points)

a success training Bible study of Genesis Chapter 26

We see that Isaac was born into privilege and power. We are shown however that no matter what your station in life, there are pressures (the greater the position or status, the greater the pressures.) He was, as was Abraham, faced with a famine situation. The Lord told him NOT to go to Egypt. He was a man of position and was responsible for feeding his stock and his people.

Our success training Bible study shows that he was faced with the decisions of joining the Philistine King Abimelech, Pharaoh and the Egyptians, or following the Lord's direction. Understand that he was faced with a growling stomach, a growling herd and a growling and grumbling bunch of hungry people.

How often are we faced today with such decisions? Do we make the easy decision to move on or do we rely on God's promises. Isaac and his people couldn't eat promises. Sometimes the situations that we find ourselves in are physically dire but spiritually a test of our faith. This is an important point in our success training Bible study.

Isaac chose to follow the Lord's direction. I have found that many times I have been faced with such decisions. Do I continue doing something I feel that the Lord has directed me to do (no success in site) or do I drop that and chose my own direction? I have found that when I make decisions that are not based on God's direction and Holy Word, I mess things up. I have learned (often the hard way) that, even though things look bleak, as long as I stick to God's plan, I come out a winner. Do you think that God tests our spiritual metal (our faith)? It has never been easy for God's people to know how to apply their faith in Him when the matter of economic viability and political stability are involved.

Another pressure point is a psychological one. Isaac had wound himself in the lie that he and Rebekah were brother and sister. However they were caught on occasion in public indiscretions. He was his father's son.

We see also the personal pressure which Isaac faced. By sticking to God's direction, in the year of the famine, Isaac sowed and reaped an hundred fold. (chapter 25, verse 12). Isaac prospered and continued prospering. This caused problems with the neighbors. They were jealous of his success. (Does this remind you of any situations in your life?)

Parental pressure? Isaac was faced with his elder son, Esau, marrying poorly. Isaac still looked at Esau as the potential head of the family but now he had gone and married to Hettite women. This was really a stressful situation for Isaac and Rebekah. The Bible is so realistic with its treatment of its heroes. It shows their success and failures, their blessings and bumps and bruises collected along the way.

More about Isaac

A Commitment to Providence

A Commitment to Principle

A Commitment to Performance and to People

Chapter 25 (3 stages of Life)

Chapter 26 (Pressure Points)