Isaac and Yeshua, Our Hope for Peace: Springs of living water


Isaac and Yeshua, Our Hope for Peace: Springs of living water


From the weekly Torah portion Toledoth, we continue to discuss Isaac as the foreshadowing of Yeshua. In Genesis chapter 25-26, we see a path for peace through the story of Isaac and Abimelech, the king of the Philistines, the people living in Gaza. God has promised Abraham that through him and his seed all nations would be blessed. But in Gen chapter 26, God promises Isaac that through his seed all nations will "bless themselves". We see that God's favor or grace towards Isaac results in prosperity even during a season of famine. We discuss how grace or favor may provoke envy, but no one can steal another person's favor. We see how Isaac's favor provokes Philistine envy, and Abimelech the king sends Isaac away. Isaac then uncovers the wells of his father, wells of "living water". The Philistines contend for the first 2 wells, and Isaac "turns the other cheek". But then Isaac digs a third well, named "there is room", and is blessed by the LORD. Abimelech comes to Isaac and acknowledges Isaac's favor from the LORD, and Abimelech's desire to share in the favor of God. They make a covenant of peace! We discuss the path of peace for all nations through faith in Yeshua, the source of "living water". Eph2:8-9 "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."