26 Later, Abimelech came to Isaac from Gerar, with Ahuzzath his adviser and Phicol the commander of his army.
27 “Why have you come to me?” Isaac asked them. “You hated me and sent me away.”
28 “We can plainly see that the LORD has been with you,” they replied. “We recommend that there should now be an oath between us and you. Let us make a covenant with you 29 that you will not harm us, just as we have not harmed you but have done only good to you, sending you on your way in peace. And now you are blessed by the LORD.”
30 So Isaac prepared a feast for them, and they ate and drank. 31 And they got up early the next morning and swore an oath to each other. Then Isaac sent them on their way, and they left him in peace.
32 On that same day, Isaac’s servants came and told him about the well they had dug. “We have found water!” they told him. 33 So he called it Shibah, and to this day the name of the city is Beersheba. Genesis 26: 26 - 32 BSB
(Shibah can mean oath or seven, Beersheba means well of seven or well of the oath.)
Issac's neighbors in Gerar, know about God, they see God at work in Issac, but they don't want to follow God. So they come up with the next best thing in their view, an oath for peace, you do your thing, we'll do ours. Alan, what happens to the righteous when they die?
< = = = I've been taught Olam Ha-Ba, "the world to come." In this spiritual realm, the righteous may enjoy a fulfilling existence, reflecting their virtuous lives. Also, T'chiyat Ha-Metim, or bodily resurrection, to occur at the end of time. This resurrection signifies that the righteous will not only have a spiritual existence but will also be restored in body. I know there are other schools of thought Mr. Comfort, but as my dad would say, "Might as well be an optimist".
Excellent Alan, and the unrighteous?
< = = = Our Rabbi says it isn't clear, some sort of Sheol, but the path of wisdom is to be righteous.
Again well said. Let's look at one more thing.
34 When Esau was forty years old, he took as his wives Judith daughter of Beeri the Hittite and Basemath daughter of Elon the Hittite. 35 And they brought grief to Isaac and Rebekah. Genesis 26:34, 35 BSB
How is your Hebrew coming can you read verse 35?
< = = = A spirit of something to Issac and Rebekah ... there's a word I don't know, מֹ֣רַת
Don't beat yourself up about it, it is the only time it is used in the Torah. It can be a spirit of grief, or a spirit of bitterness. Why do you suppose they grieved, or were bitter?
< = = = God has promised the land of Canaan to His chosen line from Abraham. By choosing these mothers Esau is at grave risk of his heirs not being part of that line. It would have been far better to have gone back to his clan in Haran, especially this early in the unfolding of God's plan. When you add selling his birthright, I'm guessing we will soon read he founded a nation outside of the promise.
Excellent, we will find he is the father of Edom, I'd say that's a wrap for today.
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