1. Life Sentence: Genesis 22:14
Isaac
Life Sentence: Genesis 22:14
Genesis 26:1-11

2. Group 1 – Abraham (Abram)
Group 2 – Isaac
Group 3 – Jacob

3. The figure of even a great man may be dwarfed by comparison with that of a distinguished father or of a famous son. Thus the character of Isaac is overshadowed by the majesty of Abraham and the dramatic interest of Jacob. There was a third factor which diminished the importance of Isaac; he was the husband of a clever and masterful wife. No matter how exciting the scene in which he may appear, he is always assigned to a minor part. At least, by contrast with these other actors, his role in life was prosaic, uneventful, obscure.
Charles Erdman

5. Konrad Lorenz

7. A Father’s Example
Isaac followed his father’s good example and obeyed God. (Genesis 26:1-6
Isaac followed his father’s bad example and lied. (Genesis 26:7-11)

8. DISCUSSION GUIDE
1. What did Isaac do when famine threatened the land? (Genesis 26:1)
When famine threatened the land Isaac moved to Gerar, home of Abimelech, King of the Philistines.

9. DISCUSSION GUIDE
2. Generally speaking, when life’s difficulties arise what is your first response?

10. DISCUSSION GUIDE
3. Why do you think that we tend to wait to ask for God’s help and advice only after we have exhausted all other possible solutions? How do you think that makes God feel?

11. DISCUSSION GUIDE
4. What were God’s instructions for Isaac? (Genesis 26:2)
God told Isaac not to move his family to Egypt, but to live where God directed.

12. DISCUSSION GUIDE
5. What did God promise Isaac if he was obedient? (Genesis 26:2-6)
God promised Isaac:
That he would be with Isaac and protect him.
That he would bless Isaac.
That he would give the land to Isaac.
That he would multiply Isaac’s descendants.

13. DISCUSSION GUIDE
6. Was Isaac obedient? (Genesis 26:6)
Yes

14. DISCUSSION GUIDE
7. Who was Isaac’s role model? Whose example did Isaac follow? (See Genesis 22:1-18)

15. DISCUSSION GUIDE
8. What question did the men of Gerar have for Isaac? How did Isaac respond? Why did he respond this way? (Genesis 26:7)
On arriving in Gerar, the men of the city asked about Rebekah. Isaac told them that Rebekah was his sister. Isaac said this because he was afraid that the men of Gerar might kill him in order to take Rebekah.

16. DISCUSSION GUIDE
9. Who was Isaac’s role model for this lie? Whose example did Isaac follow? (See Genesis 12:10-13 and 20:1-2)

17. DISCUSSION GUIDE
10. Apart from being his wife, how was Rebekah related to Isaac? (Genesis 24:15)
Rebekah was the daughter of Abraham’s brother. Rebekah and Isaac were first cousins.

18. DISCUSSION GUIDE
11. Maybe Isaac and Rebekah were not brother and sister, but there was a close family relationship. Was this really a lie? How would you define “lie?” Is it wrong to lie to protect yourself?

19. DISCUSSION GUIDE
12. How did Abimelech find out that Isaac was lying? (Genesis 26:8)
Abimelech discovered Isaac’s lie when he looked down from a window and saw Isaac caressing Rebekah.

20. DISCUSSION GUIDE
13. When he discovered Isaac’s lie how did Abimelech respond? (Genesis 26:9-11)
Abimelech confronted Isaac with the truth and criticized him because Isaac’s sin could have caused the men of Gerar to sin. He went on to give orders to all the people of Gerar to leave Isaac and Rebekah alone or be put to death.

21. DISCUSSION GUIDE
14. How have your parents shaped or influenced your life? How are you shaping and influencing the lives of your children?