Like Father, Like Son

Good morning!

Here's yesterday's question and answer:
Mon, Jan. 12 Where did Jesus find Matthew? (Matt 9)
Matthew 9:9 9 As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector's booth. "Follow me," he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.

And today's question of the day:
Tues, Jan. 13 What physical ailment of Isaac started this whole mess between Jacob and Esau? (Gen 27)


And here's today's reflection:
Like Father, Like Son
In Gen 26, Isaac and Rebekah make the same mistake that Abraham and Sarah did: lying to the king about their status as a married couple. I think it's interesting that they repeat his parents' sin. Did Abraham and Sarah not mention the trouble they got in when they lied? But what's even more interesting is that Isaac seems to be rewarded (blessed, even!) because of the lie! Abimelech the king warns other from hurting Isaac and Rebekah and they go on to live a blessed life (v12-13).

Because of Isaac's wealth and prosperity, Abimelech is intimidated so he asks them to move away. They return to Abraham's lands and reopen the wells the Philistines has filled up. Isaac is visited by God in a dream who reassures him that all the promises He made his father, God also makes to the son. Though Abraham and Isaac are both sinful and flawed men, they always return to God. And just as God watched over Abraham, so too He will watch over Isaac. Like father, like son!

There's one other piece to this story that caught my interest, a tidbit I'm not sure I noticed before. In v 26, Abimlelech, his personal adviser, and the commander of his forces went all the way out into the land to meet with Isaac, who is instantly on the defense. But it turns out that Abimelech and company recognize that Isaac has found favor with God and therefore wields great power as a result. They come to make a "sworn agreement" with them by swearing one of the INFAMOUS oaths. (If you dare, check out yesterday's post for more info on oaths!!)

This little story makes me think about whether people know that we are people of faith just by interacting with us. We are God's sons and daughters, just like Abraham and Isaac and Jesus Christ. But do we live in the confidence that God has chosen us--adopted us--into his family? Is our faith obvious when people look at us? Do we wear our faith proudly while at work or the grocery store?

I would hope that someone with just a seedling kind of faith (still uncertain and testing the waters) would look at someone whose faith was like a mighty oak and decide there might be something to it. What do you think your non-church going friends, family, and neighbors think about when they look at you?

Something to ponder as you go through your day!
Allison