There was a famine.  It must have been in Isaac’s mind to go to Egypt, for God specifically warned him not to go there, but rather to live in the land God would lead him to.  It was a command with a promise: Live in this land and I will bless you (v. 3).  So, Isaac dwelt in Gerar (v. 6) and God did bless him. 

     However, Isaac was an ordinary man.  He wasn’t perfect.  Verses 7-11 tell how Isaac lied to the people about his wife, because he was afraid.  God revealed the truth to the king, and the king decreed protection for Isaac.  Isaac was seeking to be obedient, but he gave in to fear.  He failed, but God still took care of him. 

      As time went on, Isaac, being blessed, became more and more prosperous, and the Philistines became jealous.  They harassed him, and wanted him out of their land.  When Isaac moved farther away and began to dig out the wells of Abraham, the Philistines opposed him.  Twice, after he had accomplished the hard work of opening a well, the Philistines came and argued with him and took the well away. 

      Isaac obeyed God, and God blessed him.  That did not mean his life was easy.  There was still a famine in the land.  He was surrounded by jealous enemies who hated him.  He was treated unfairly by his neighbors.  He was not perfect, and gave in to fear when he perceived a threat to his life, rather than trust God to take care of him.  But God still blessed him because he obeyed.  The Philistines eventually recognized that the Lord was with Isaac, and in a complete reversal of attitude, humbly requested Isaac’s promise to do them no harm (v.28). 

     Obedience to God brings blessing.  That does not mean life will be easy.  In the face of famine, danger, enemies, and mistreatment God was with Isaac and blessed him.  Even though Isaac’s faith was imperfect, God blessed him, just as He said He would, because Isaac obeyed.  Human logic urged Isaac to go to Egypt to wait out the famine.  Common sense would have dictated he flee from the threats of the Philistines.  Righteous pride would have demanded he stand up for his rights when his neighbors argued about the wells.  When the Philistines did come to ask for a treaty of peace, the opportunity for deserved vindication would have tempted Isaac to take advantage of the situation to get even. 

      But Isaac defied human logic, obeyed God and dwelt in the land God led him to.  Isaac showed his faith by obeying. Even when Isaac gave in to fear, God was faithful.  Isaac showed his faith in God’s promise by trusting God enough to live in peace with his neighbors in spite of his neighbors.

       And God blessed him.