Youth DCLM Search the Scripture 24 April 2022 | Lesson 17

Youth DCLM Search the Scripture 24 April 2022 | Lesson 17 || God Prospers Isaac

Youth DCLM Search the Scripture 24 April 2022

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Youth STS LESSON 17 | God Prospers Isaac

Youth DCLM Search the Scripture 24 April 2022 MEMORY VERSE: “Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the LORD blessed him, And the man waxed great, and went forward, and grew until he became very great” (Genesis 26: 12, 13).

TEXT: Genesis 26:1-35

Youth DCLM Search the Scripture 24 April 2022 | Lesson 17 MESSAGE

This chapter unfolds the faithfulness of God to the Abrahamic covenant. “And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee” (Genesis 17:7). Isaac, the inheritor of the promise did not get the promise fulfilled on the bed of roses, he gave it what it needed (industry) and was able to experience an hundred fold success.

Question 1: What singled out Isaac for an hundredfold success?
“Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the LORD blessed him” (verse 12). Moreover, he displayed some godly virtues such as forgiveness and integrity. A Christian youth must have desire, discipline, diligence and be determined coupled with God’s promises to be able to succeed.

GOD’S SECURITY AMIDST CHALLENGES (Genesis 26:1-11, 24; 12:10-20; 20:1-18; 22:16-18; Matthew 5:13-16; Ephesians 4:25; Proverbs 29:25)

“And there a famine in the land, beside the first famine that was in the days of Abraham, And Isaac went unto Abimelech king of the Philistines unto Gerar” (verse 1). Doing the will of God does not mean that there will not be trials, and because there are unfailing promises of God does not mean that our faith will not be tested. Isaac, despite the promise of God had trial but God did not leave him alone. “And the LORD appeared unto him, and said, Go not down into Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of’ (verse 2).

To assure him of His abiding presence, God appeared to him. As God appeared to Isaac in the time of his predicament to guide and stop him from going down to Egypt, so He does today to His children who seek His face and do His will in times of famine and trouble. Therefore, Christian youths should seek God’s guidance before they make any move especially in times of trials. God reaffirmed His promise to Abraham and gave the reason for the fulfilment, thereby encouraged Isaac to also follow after his father’s steps. “Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws” (verse 5).

Abraham was blessed because of his obedience to God’s call (Genesis 12: 1,4; 22:2,3). Isaac, no doubt, obeyed God. “And Isaac dwelt in Gerar” (verse 6). Today, obedience is still bringing blessings and favour of God.

Question 2a: What can Christian youths learn from the obedience of Isaac by not going down to Egypt? 2b: Should a Christian youth lie to protect himself?

God’s will may look humanly unwise, but obedience to it is always the best. Christian youths are to walk by faith not by sight. “And Abimelech called Isaac, and said, Behold, of a surety she is thy wife: and how saidst thou, She is my sister? And Isaac said unto him, Because I said, Lest I die for her” (Genesis 26:9). Christian youths need to trust in the Lord for protection of their lives and properties no matter the danger, and never yield to pressure to lie or cover up the truth. God hates lying. “He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight” (Psalm 101 : 7).

We should be the light in the world (Matthew 5: 13) “That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:15).

THE SECRET OF ISAAC’S PROSPERITY (Genesis 26:12-23; Ecclesiastes 4:4; Proverbs 16: 7; 27:4; Matthew 5:41)

Isaac was prompt in obeying God like his father Abraham. This led to supernatural breakthrough and super-abundance from the Almighty God. “Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the LORD blessed him” (verse 12). God blesses efforts. An obedient heart opens the door of heaven. Isaac was industrious and enterprising. Laziness, idleness and slothfulness or procrastination had no place in his life. “And the man waxed great, and went forward, and grew until he became very great… and the Philistines envied him” (Genesis 26: 13, 14).

Seeing the blessings of God upon Isaac, the Philistines envied him. Therefore, they conspired together to stop him. However, we should remember that, “The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it” (Proverbs 10:22). The man that God has blessed can no longer be cursed or stopped by anyone. (Youth DCLM Search the Scripture 24 April 2022 | Lesson 17)

Question 3: As a Christian youth, what lesson can you learn from the envious attitude of the Philistines?

“For where envying arid strife is, there is confusion and every evil work” (James 3:16). Envy is sin, it leads to constant opposition and strife. It should not be mentioned among Christians. Isaac was chased from one well to the other, but he demonstrated godly character. He did not strive with them but moved to another place, valley of Gerar.

There, his herdsmen dug two wells which were violently taken away, named Esek and Sitnah — meaning contention and hatred respectively — which represent unholy behaviour in the world today. God is love, those who are born again cannot be contentious and hateful. Finally, Isaac moved away from there, “And he removed from thence, and digged another well; and for that they strove not: and he called the name of it Rehoboth; and he said, For now the LORD hath made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land” (verse 22).

Question 4: Point out some salient lessons in Isaac’s path to prosperity.
Life is full of challenges. Christian youths who persevere and put their trust in God in spite of challenges will definitely overcome. Isaac prospered because of the faithfulness of God to the Abrahamic covenant. This account of Isaac’s prosperity teaches us the faithfulness of God (Genesis 26:3,4). God renewed the Abrahamic covenant with Isaac and blessed him.

GOD’S SUCCOUR FOR THE FAITHFUL (Genesis 26:24-35; Galatians 3:13,14; Psalm 25:12-14; Matthew 19:29; Romans 2:4; Proverbs 16: 7; Revelation 2 1: 7)

After God had settled Isaac and his household in the valley of Gerar, He appeared to him in the night to reassure him of the Abrahamic blessings and His presence. “…I am the God of Abraham thy father: fear not, for I am with thee, and will bless thee, and multiply thy seed for my servant Abraham’s sake” (Genesis 26:24). It is worthy of note that it was not only at the time of trial that God appeared to Isaac. He also appeared to him in time of abundance. We need God’s fellowship in times of trial and triumph. In response to God’s reassurance and faithfulness, Isaac built an altar, dedicated himself and affirm his total allegiance unto God.(

Question 5: In what way should sinners, backsliders and believers respond to the goodness of God?

God is also merciful to all sinners, backsliders, and believers alike. Our response to His ever loving care and benevolence and gracious providence should drive us to the altar of salvation and consecration to His course. To become heirs of His kingdom, sinners and backsliders must come to Christ in repentance. While believers should dedicate their lives unto Him till the end.

Abimelech came to Isaac in the company of Ahuzzath and Phichol to make peace, having discovered the mighty presence of God with him. “And they said, We saw certainly that the LORD was with thee: and we said, Let there be now an oath betwixt us, even betwixt us and thee, and let us make a covenant with thee…” (verses 28,29).

Being a peace loving individual, Isaac entered into a covenant with them after which they feasted and parted in peace (verses 30,31). The evidence of God’s grace is seen in the life of Isaac. He received his enemies and persecutors, entertained them and made covenant of peace with them. Like Isaac, every Christian youth should learn to show love to their enemies and persecutors (Matthew 5:44). The blessing and comfort of the Lord did not stop flowing in the life and family of Isaac as more wells were discovered and dug. (verses 32,33).

Again, Isaac and Rebekah showed a displeasure in respect of the marriage of Esau (Genesis 26:34,35). “In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not” (Psalm 15:4). Christian youths should always be grieved at the sight of every iniquity and flagrant disobedience to God’s holy standard in marriage and other areas of life.

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