Genesis 26:28-35: a reflection

28They said, “We saw plainly that the LORD was with you. We said, ‘Let there now be an oath between us, even between us and you, and let’s make a covenant with you, 29that you will do us no harm, as we have not touched you, and as we have done to you nothing but good, and have sent you away in peace.’ You are now the blessed of the LORD.” 30He made them a feast, and they ate and drank. 31They rose up some time in the morning, and swore an oath to one another. Isaac sent them away, and they departed from him in peace. 32The same day, Isaac’s servants came, and told him concerning the well which they had dug, and said to him, “We have found water.” 33He called it “Shibah”. Therefore the name of the city is “Beersheba” to this day. 34When Esau was forty years old, he took as wife Judith, the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Basemath, the daughter of Elon the Hittite. 35They grieved Isaac’s and Rebekah’s spirits.

Isaac had been at odds with the people of the land, driven from place to place, quarreled with over wells. But now his former adversaries come to him seeking peace, and they explain why: We saw plainly that the LORD was with you. The evidence of God's blessing on Isaac's life was so clear that even those who had opposed him now wanted to make peace and be on good terms with him. And Isaac graciously receives them, makes a feast, and swears a covenant of peace.

Notice two things here. First, that God's presence with Isaac was evident even to his adversaries; they could see plainly that the LORD was with him, and it drew them toward peace. A life in which God's blessing is evident has a way of commending itself, even to those who have opposed us. And second, that Isaac responded graciously, not with grudges or triumph over his former enemies, but by making peace with them, receiving them, and swearing a covenant of goodwill.

Both are worth taking to heart. May God's presence be so evident in our lives, in our integrity, our peace, our conduct, that even those who have been against us can see that God is with us; a life that clearly bears God's blessing can win even adversaries toward peace. And when former adversaries seek peace, may we respond as Isaac did, graciously, without holding grudges or gloating, willing to make peace. Live so that God's presence is evident in your life, even to those who oppose you; and be ready, as Isaac was, to make peace graciously with former adversaries, receiving them without grudge or triumph. A life visibly blessed by God, and a heart ready for peace, can turn even enemies into friends.

Lord, Isaac's former adversaries came seeking peace, saying, we saw plainly that the LORD was with you; the evidence of your blessing on his life drew even his opponents toward peace, and he responded graciously, making a covenant of peace with them. Take both of these to my heart. May your presence be so evident in my life, in my integrity, my peace, my conduct, that even those who have been against me can see that you are with me; a life that clearly bears your blessing can win even adversaries toward peace. And when former adversaries seek peace, help me respond as Isaac did, graciously, without holding grudges or gloating, willing to make peace. Help me live so that your presence is evident in my life, even to those who oppose me; and make me ready, as Isaac was, to make peace graciously with former adversaries, receiving them without grudge or triumph. Let a life visibly blessed by you, and a heart ready for peace, turn even enemies into friends.