During a famine (Genesis 26:1), God had instructed Isaac to stay in the land of Gerar instead of heading into the fertile valleys of Egypt (Genesis 26:2–3).
It may seem like it does not make sense. To “stay in Gerar”. I love reading the book of Genesis because you see some of God’s earliest interactions with man in a way that humanizes Him, yet almost always ends up leaving you a bit perplexed. So, there’s a famine in the region of Gerar that shakes up Isaac. He decides the course of action that makes sense to him; pack his bags and go to the region without famine. Duh?? What else is he supposed to do. If there’s no food here, and there’s food there…I’m gonna go where the food is.
But God advises Isaac to stay in Gerar. Why am I writing about this? Because for the last couple months I have been going back and forth with one issue that I never really seem to reach an answer on. To full time job or to not full time job? There’s so many pros and cons on either. I get a full time job and realize I don’t love spending my time not doing what I feel called to. I work for myself and realize how comforting life is when I’m getting a consistent and stable income from a full time job. It’s a double edged sword. I prayed to God for clarity on what to do in this moment because I have all kinds of goals for this year… to full time job or to not full time job?
Then the next day I open my bible and the first thing I happen to read is Genesis 26:1
1 There was a famine in the land, distinct from the earlier one that had occurred in the days of Abraham, and Isaac went down to Abimelech, king of the Philistines in Gerar.b
2 The LORD appeared to him and said: Do not go down to Egypt, but camp in this land wherever I tell you.
3 Sojourn in this land, and I will be with you and bless you; for to you and your descendants I will give all these lands, in fulfillment of the oath that I swore to your father Abraham.c
It spoke to me loud and clear; yes there is a famine in this region you’re in, but stay there. Stay in Gerar. Stay on the course God has told you to. Even though it looks like a drought, do not go down to Egypt. Do not go where you’re comfortable because it is predictable and you will be in control. Let God surprise you.
The funniest part about this story is that, the Bible never disclosed whether Isaac actually got up, packed his stuff and arranged to go. It seems like he just thought about it. That’s the case with God - He knows our thoughts before we embark on anything. He knows we are planning to give up ship. He knows we are planning to turn back into what He called us out of. He knows where we are is hard and going backwards would be so much easier. He reassures us anyway: stay in Gerar.
The best part of the story? though others were struggling in a famished town during this time, Isaac reaps a hundredfold harvest from his planting. (Genesis 26:12).
It won’t look the same for you! Stay on the course!
I loved reading this because I’m also facing the same thing and it’s so refreshing to be reminded that all I need to do is to let go and let God surprise me because the more I want to be in control of my life God has a different and better plan for me
Thank you Karren 🩷
Amen, amen, and Amen! This post honestly read like a prayer--an epitome to faith and finding full solitude in wherever God has planted you so that His will can be done in us.