It’s like deja vu, isn’t it? The names have been changed, but the story is similar. There is a drought. We have a husband and wife pretending to be brother and sister. The king of the Philistines is also present. Interesting, the King Abimelech in this story is not the same one who had dealings with Isaac’s father, Abraham. It is believed Abimelech may have been more of a kingly title.
In any event, Isaac and Rebekah are caught fooling around, something brothers and sisters obviously don’t do. Abimelech was angry because Rebekah could have been taken advantage of, and that would mean a great sin on the part of the Philistine people. Curious that he continued on to protect both Isaac and Rebekah by proclaiming no harm to either of them.
I’m not sure why this little passage was included, other than to show that there is some fear of death when you have a beautiful wife. That, and possibly in parenting, Abraham shared with Isaac what he and his mother had done when in a similar situation. It was a bit of fatherly advice put to use.
That opens up a whole new shift in thought. How is parenting going for you? You know they say, once a parent, always a parent. Just because your children grow up and start a life and family of their own, they are still your children, and your caring and concern continues on. So, I’ll ask again, how is parenting going for you? Have you been an instrumental figure in your children’s lives? What sort of legacy have you instilled in them? What sort of fatherly/motherly advice have you given that you have watched them use already?
Sometimes we don’t know how our actions and words affect others, especially our children. It might not be until years later they recall something profound that you shared. Think of your own relationship with your parents. Didn’t they get wiser and wiser the older you got? At some point, though, you realized they were human. They had faults and failures. They were not perfect, as perhaps you had believed as a toddler.
As life unfolds for us, we are never sure who will be impacted by our words and actions. Family aside, you are the one who somebody looks to for support, love, encouragement, education, etc. God gifts each of us the way he wants, and he gives us each an ounce of his wisdom necessary to make it through life. The gifts he gives us are meant to help him to further his kingdom work in the here and now.
We need to be willing to be used by God. We need to be recognized as a son (or daughter) of God. When people look at you, do they say, “Like Father, like son(daughter)?
Let’s pray. Lord, I do hope to be more and more like you every day. Instill in me the drive and passion for helping others. You know my heart, Lord. I ask that you bring the people to me that need to hear from you and who want more out of life. People who want to walk in your will. Let us, together, move in that direction, seeking you on our journey. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
