261 Now there was a famine in the land , besides e the previous famine that had occurred in the days of Abraham . So Isaac went to Gerar , to Abimelech king of the Philistines . 2 The Lord appeared to him and said , "Do not go down to Egypt ; stay in the land of which I shall tell you. 3 "Sojourn in this land and I will be with you and bless you, for to you and to your descendants I will give all these lands , and I will establish the oath which I swore to your father Abraham . 4 " I will multiply your descendants as the stars of heaven , and will give your descendants all these lands ; and by your descendants all the nations of the earth shall be blessed ; 5 because e Abraham obeyed e Me and kept My charge , My commandments , My statutes and My laws ."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 26:1-5
Commentary on Genesis 26:1-5
(Read Genesis 26:1-5)
Isaac had been trained up in a believing dependence upon the Divine grant of the land of Canaan to him and his heirs; and now that there is a famine in the land, Isaac still cleaves to the covenant. The real worth of God's promises cannot be lessened to a believer by any cross providences that may befall him. If God engage to be with us, and we are where he would have us to be, nothing but our own unbelief and distrust can prevent our comfort. The obedience of Abraham to the Divine command, was evidence of that faith, whereby, as a sinner, he was justified before God, and the effect of that love whereby true faith works. God testifies that he approved this obedience, to encourage others, especially Isaac.