Blessed after deceiving?

Isaac repeats the same lie that his father had used -- in the same place where his father had last used it! But instead of getting mad at Isaac and throwing him out of their land, Abimelech gives Isaac protection (just as had been done for Abraham before).

I certainly don't understand Abimelech's warped idea of justice... although it seems that Abimelech is more concerned about living right than Isaac is. When someone lies to me, I don't generally respond by giving them gifts (see gen 20) or offering them protection. If you knowingly deceive me on purpose, I won't trust you again. Anything you had to say from that point on would be suspect in my eyes. And you certainly wouldn't be on my short list for the faith hall of fame! :)

But Abimelech isn't the only one responding in a seemingly irrational way to Isaac's deception. In verses 12-14, Isaac is blessed and becomes rich. It doesn't seem right... it doesn't even line up with what "prosperity" teachers want us to believe. You're supposed to be blessed because you did things right -- and cursed if you do things wrong.

Obviously, Isaac's blessing didn't depend on his good behavior or proper faith... Isaac was blessed because God told Abraham that he would be blessed. Isaac didn't earn it. Abraham didn't earn it. God promised... they believed... and that was enough.

Created over 2 years ago