Blessing During Your Famine (PART 2)
Genesis 26:1-5 & 12
Last week we say that the major themes of the book of Genesis are God’s covenant promise to Abraham, Monotheism, Sin and Origins. Also we saw that famine was in the land where Isaac was in Beer-sheba. The purpose of the book of Genesis is to begin the story of the Covenant. And the message is an introduction to the Israelite God (Yahweh).
In the famine that Isaac sow and received one hundred fold during the famine. He didn’t only receive one hundred fold but God blessed him. The Hebrew word hundredfold is ‘shah'-ar’ and means, a measure, to split or open.Therefore, because Isaac sowed during the famine, Isaac opened himself to receive a blessing which was released in his life from the LORD. Notice that the scripture stated that during the famine the LORD blessed Isaac, the Hebrew there is,baw-rak', and means, abundantly bless, pronounce blessing, had to bless. It wasn’t Isaac who blesses the LORD but rather the LORD blessed him.
So it is in our famine that the Lord can and will chose to bless us, we find that Isaac sowing in a time of famine brings out six things that one can expect to understand and see about God’s blessing during a famine. These six things are
I-What a famine is and you agree that you are in a famine. (verse 1)
Remember that Abraham also had a similar misadventure in Gerar in chapter 20. So this story was repeated to Isaac. Where we see that he mentioned the Philistines, and the Philistines came to the coast land of Canaan following their defeat by the Egyptians. They were Greek people who migrated eastward according to I-Samuels 4: 1And the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out against the Philistines to battle, and pitched beside Ebenezer: and the Philistines pitched in Aphek. The Egyptians called them the “Sea Peoples”. The famine was in the land of Canaan. (Canaan is the fourth son of Ham, who was a son of Noah (Genesis 9:18). Here is where the Canaanites came from. This Abimelech was the son of the former king, and this was a common name to the kings of Gerar or the Philistines, as Pharaoh was to the kings of Egypt. Isaac came to this place from Lahairoi,where he had dwelt many years, see (Genesis 24:62) (25:11) ; which was at or near Beersheba, and was about eight miles from Gerar (means "a lodging place"). The famine was in the land where Isaac was. Understand what a famine is. The Hebrew word famine is ra`ab and means, Famished and Hunger.
The second thing is we have to do during the famine in order to receive the blessing is that you have to stay in the famine until God brings you out.
II-You have to stay where you are in the famine (verses 2)
God told Isaac to “go not down”. This is the first time God appeared to Isaac. But God has spoken with Rebakah before about their children in 25:22-23. Notice that God appeared to Isaac. Appeared there is ra'ah or raw-aw, and means,to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider, observe, watch, look upon, look out, and find out. Even though, the Lord told Isaac not to go down to Egypt it was in the heart of Isaac to go down into Egypt, and the Lord appeared unto him, and charged him not to go thither, partly to try his faith in him, and dependence on his providence for support in this time of famine.We see this inGenesis 32:26And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he (Jacob) said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.
The third thing we must do in during the famine in order to receive that blessing is that we must listen to God’s instruction.
III-Listen to God’s instruction (verse 3)
God told him to sojourn in this land. Sojourn means ‘Goor’, Abide, dwell in, dwell with, remain, inhabit, be a stranger, be continuing, surely, dwell for a time and remain. Here is where instruction was given. When you listen the blessing will come to you first then it will pass on, but it can’t pass on until you position yourself to receive it. God said that he was going to be with Isaac first, then bless Isaac, then bless his seed, seed there is ‘zera’ / ‘zeh'-rah’ and means, sowing, offspring, descendants, posterity, children, of moral quality, a practitioner of righteousness, descent and family, nation
When God assure us that he will do something it means that he will bless us, then he will give all the countries ('erets/ eh'-rets) to us, countries there means, territory, district, region, tribal territory, piece of ground. After the Lord bless us he will perform a great miracle in our lives the Hebrew word perform is ‘koom’ and means, to rise, stand, rise up, stand up also accomplish and establish. Not only will the Lord, bless, give and perform great things in our lives during a famine once we listen to his instruction. The Lord will also perform an oath, the Hebrew word oath is ‘shĕbuw`ah’/ sheb-oo-aw' and means, attesting of innocence or Oath (of Jehovah. Solomon tells us what happens when we follow the Lord’s instruction in, Proverbs 8: 32-34Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways.33Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. 34"Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.
The forth thing that will happen in the famine is that there will be generational blessing.
IV-There will be generational blessings there (verses 4)
Here God told Isaac that he will multiply his seed. Multiply ‘rabah’ /’raw-baw'and means, be or become great, be or become many, be or become much, be or become numerous, abundance, exceedingly, great, greater increase and long. Notice that God promised to bless the entire world, all the nations through Abraham’s descendants in 12:3, 22:18, 28:14. And the book of Proverbs and Ezekiel shows this promise also in Proverbs 10:22 “The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.”Ezekiel 34: 26And I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing.
Not only will the Lord bless you and your spouse during this time of famine, but HE will bless your children, your children-children and other generation. If God promise generational blessing, HE certainly will release it, because his promises are ye and amen. You must much position yourself for this blessing and teach your children how to prepare and position themselves for this blessing from the LORD JESUS CHRIST.
The fifth thing you have to do in the famine is that you have to be obedience which will bring the blessing.
V-Obedience will bring the blessings (verses 5)
Notice God told Isaac that because Abraham obeyed, the Hebrew there for obeyed is ‘shama’/ ‘shaw-mah' andmeans, to hear, listen to, to hear with attention or interest, to understandand to consent, agree,also toGive heed. Abraham not only obeyed but he kept the LORD’s commandments. The Hebrew word kept there is shamar/ shaw-mar' and means,toobserve, give heed, wait for, and to watch, and observe. With Abraham’s commitment to the Lord we find that Isaac learned from him on how to keep and obey the things of God and this brought his blessings.
Therefore, for every Christian, obedience is the key for anything that we will receive and do for the Lord. Since obedience means to give heed or hear, it is obedience that will allow anyone to move forward to the other level that God has for them. These levels include both a material blessing and spiritual increase. And God doesn’t not bless and take back, but once God blesses you he will make sure you maintain and or keep it. In the scripture it says in I-Samuel 15:22 “And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.” Also in Romans 2:13,”For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.”
The last thing that we have to do in order to receive in the famine is you must sow in the famine.
VI-You must SOW in the famine. (Verse 12)
During Isaac’s sojourn in that district he farmed a piece of land, which, by the blessing of God on his skill and industry, was very productive and by his plentiful return he increased so rapidly in wealth. In the book ofPsalms 37:19 They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.” Notice that it was that same year when there was a famine in the land; while others scarce reaped at all, he reaped thus plentifully. Notice that Isaac sowed the Hebrew there is, zara/` zaw-rah' and means, scatter seed, conceive, gives birth, producing, yielding seed and sower.
It was after he sowed he reaped a hundredfold, the Hebrew word hundredfold is ‘me'ah’ / ‘may-aw' means, hundred times, this was a mark of great increase or it could also be, shah'-ar’ and means, a measure, to split or open. The Gospel of Mark say in Mark 4:20And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirty fold, some sixty, and some an hundred. Understand that Isaac used what he had to sow and reap an hundred fold. He used his gift and his ability. He was a tiller of the ground and the same land that had famine he used to gain his blessing. The Lord blessed him so much that he became prosperous. Matthew 13:23 says 23”But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”
Will you also sow into God’s kingdom by using the gift God has given you during your famine? If you sow into the kingdom of God, the Lord will certainly release into your bosom a hundredfold. You must sing even if a church will not pay you or can’t pay you the amount of money you so desire, you must preach and win souls into the kingdom of God, even if they can’t pay you the money that you so desire, play skillfully unto the Lord with your musical gift and ability even if they can’t pay you, the day will come when god will release that blessing because of your obedience to work in your gift. Therefore, sow your gift into the kingdom of God now and God will multiply not only your financial blessings but also your gifts.
Genesis 26:1-5 & 12
Last week we say that the major themes of the book of Genesis are God’s covenant promise to Abraham, Monotheism, Sin and Origins. Also we saw that famine was in the land where Isaac was in Beer-sheba. The purpose of the book of Genesis is to begin the story of the Covenant. And the message is an introduction to the Israelite God (Yahweh).
In the famine that Isaac sow and received one hundred fold during the famine. He didn’t only receive one hundred fold but God blessed him. The Hebrew word hundredfold is ‘shah'-ar’ and means, a measure, to split or open.Therefore, because Isaac sowed during the famine, Isaac opened himself to receive a blessing which was released in his life from the LORD. Notice that the scripture stated that during the famine the LORD blessed Isaac, the Hebrew there is,baw-rak', and means, abundantly bless, pronounce blessing, had to bless. It wasn’t Isaac who blesses the LORD but rather the LORD blessed him.
So it is in our famine that the Lord can and will chose to bless us, we find that Isaac sowing in a time of famine brings out six things that one can expect to understand and see about God’s blessing during a famine. These six things are
I-What a famine is and you agree that you are in a famine. (verse 1)
Remember that Abraham also had a similar misadventure in Gerar in chapter 20. So this story was repeated to Isaac. Where we see that he mentioned the Philistines, and the Philistines came to the coast land of Canaan following their defeat by the Egyptians. They were Greek people who migrated eastward according to I-Samuels 4: 1And the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out against the Philistines to battle, and pitched beside Ebenezer: and the Philistines pitched in Aphek. The Egyptians called them the “Sea Peoples”. The famine was in the land of Canaan. (Canaan is the fourth son of Ham, who was a son of Noah (Genesis 9:18). Here is where the Canaanites came from. This Abimelech was the son of the former king, and this was a common name to the kings of Gerar or the Philistines, as Pharaoh was to the kings of Egypt. Isaac came to this place from Lahairoi,where he had dwelt many years, see (Genesis 24:62) (25:11) ; which was at or near Beersheba, and was about eight miles from Gerar (means "a lodging place"). The famine was in the land where Isaac was. Understand what a famine is. The Hebrew word famine is ra`ab and means, Famished and Hunger.
The second thing is we have to do during the famine in order to receive the blessing is that you have to stay in the famine until God brings you out.
II-You have to stay where you are in the famine (verses 2)
God told Isaac to “go not down”. This is the first time God appeared to Isaac. But God has spoken with Rebakah before about their children in 25:22-23. Notice that God appeared to Isaac. Appeared there is ra'ah or raw-aw, and means,to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider, observe, watch, look upon, look out, and find out. Even though, the Lord told Isaac not to go down to Egypt it was in the heart of Isaac to go down into Egypt, and the Lord appeared unto him, and charged him not to go thither, partly to try his faith in him, and dependence on his providence for support in this time of famine.We see this inGenesis 32:26And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he (Jacob) said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.
The third thing we must do in during the famine in order to receive that blessing is that we must listen to God’s instruction.
III-Listen to God’s instruction (verse 3)
God told him to sojourn in this land. Sojourn means ‘Goor’, Abide, dwell in, dwell with, remain, inhabit, be a stranger, be continuing, surely, dwell for a time and remain. Here is where instruction was given. When you listen the blessing will come to you first then it will pass on, but it can’t pass on until you position yourself to receive it. God said that he was going to be with Isaac first, then bless Isaac, then bless his seed, seed there is ‘zera’ / ‘zeh'-rah’ and means, sowing, offspring, descendants, posterity, children, of moral quality, a practitioner of righteousness, descent and family, nation
When God assure us that he will do something it means that he will bless us, then he will give all the countries ('erets/ eh'-rets) to us, countries there means, territory, district, region, tribal territory, piece of ground. After the Lord bless us he will perform a great miracle in our lives the Hebrew word perform is ‘koom’ and means, to rise, stand, rise up, stand up also accomplish and establish. Not only will the Lord, bless, give and perform great things in our lives during a famine once we listen to his instruction. The Lord will also perform an oath, the Hebrew word oath is ‘shĕbuw`ah’/ sheb-oo-aw' and means, attesting of innocence or Oath (of Jehovah. Solomon tells us what happens when we follow the Lord’s instruction in, Proverbs 8: 32-34Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways.33Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. 34"Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.
The forth thing that will happen in the famine is that there will be generational blessing.
IV-There will be generational blessings there (verses 4)
Here God told Isaac that he will multiply his seed. Multiply ‘rabah’ /’raw-baw'and means, be or become great, be or become many, be or become much, be or become numerous, abundance, exceedingly, great, greater increase and long. Notice that God promised to bless the entire world, all the nations through Abraham’s descendants in 12:3, 22:18, 28:14. And the book of Proverbs and Ezekiel shows this promise also in Proverbs 10:22 “The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.”Ezekiel 34: 26And I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing.
Not only will the Lord bless you and your spouse during this time of famine, but HE will bless your children, your children-children and other generation. If God promise generational blessing, HE certainly will release it, because his promises are ye and amen. You must much position yourself for this blessing and teach your children how to prepare and position themselves for this blessing from the LORD JESUS CHRIST.
The fifth thing you have to do in the famine is that you have to be obedience which will bring the blessing.
V-Obedience will bring the blessings (verses 5)
Notice God told Isaac that because Abraham obeyed, the Hebrew there for obeyed is ‘shama’/ ‘shaw-mah' andmeans, to hear, listen to, to hear with attention or interest, to understandand to consent, agree,also toGive heed. Abraham not only obeyed but he kept the LORD’s commandments. The Hebrew word kept there is shamar/ shaw-mar' and means,toobserve, give heed, wait for, and to watch, and observe. With Abraham’s commitment to the Lord we find that Isaac learned from him on how to keep and obey the things of God and this brought his blessings.
Therefore, for every Christian, obedience is the key for anything that we will receive and do for the Lord. Since obedience means to give heed or hear, it is obedience that will allow anyone to move forward to the other level that God has for them. These levels include both a material blessing and spiritual increase. And God doesn’t not bless and take back, but once God blesses you he will make sure you maintain and or keep it. In the scripture it says in I-Samuel 15:22 “And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.” Also in Romans 2:13,”For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.”
The last thing that we have to do in order to receive in the famine is you must sow in the famine.
VI-You must SOW in the famine. (Verse 12)
During Isaac’s sojourn in that district he farmed a piece of land, which, by the blessing of God on his skill and industry, was very productive and by his plentiful return he increased so rapidly in wealth. In the book ofPsalms 37:19 They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.” Notice that it was that same year when there was a famine in the land; while others scarce reaped at all, he reaped thus plentifully. Notice that Isaac sowed the Hebrew there is, zara/` zaw-rah' and means, scatter seed, conceive, gives birth, producing, yielding seed and sower.
It was after he sowed he reaped a hundredfold, the Hebrew word hundredfold is ‘me'ah’ / ‘may-aw' means, hundred times, this was a mark of great increase or it could also be, shah'-ar’ and means, a measure, to split or open. The Gospel of Mark say in Mark 4:20And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirty fold, some sixty, and some an hundred. Understand that Isaac used what he had to sow and reap an hundred fold. He used his gift and his ability. He was a tiller of the ground and the same land that had famine he used to gain his blessing. The Lord blessed him so much that he became prosperous. Matthew 13:23 says 23”But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”
Will you also sow into God’s kingdom by using the gift God has given you during your famine? If you sow into the kingdom of God, the Lord will certainly release into your bosom a hundredfold. You must sing even if a church will not pay you or can’t pay you the amount of money you so desire, you must preach and win souls into the kingdom of God, even if they can’t pay you the money that you so desire, play skillfully unto the Lord with your musical gift and ability even if they can’t pay you, the day will come when god will release that blessing because of your obedience to work in your gift. Therefore, sow your gift into the kingdom of God now and God will multiply not only your financial blessings but also your gifts.
STUDYING THE WORD OF GOD