It is vital that we spend time in God’s Word.

But it’s not always easy.

We read a chapter and we don’t know what to get out of it or even how to start to understand it.

I thought I could try to help you get a little something out of what you are reading by providing you with some questions to ask as you look at the text.  Good questions are a good start to understanding. Sometimes there will be more questions, sometimes less.

You can do this!

So, get a notebook, a pen, your Bible, and if you would like some help, take some time to answer the questions, and you may be surprised by all God teaches you.

Genesis 26

1. There are some things this chapter has in common with a chapter that we’ve already read in Genesis. How does the writer make it clear in the first verse that he knows those similarities and he’s just not accidentally repeating himself?
2. What does God tell Isaac not to do, and what does he tell him to do, and why? What does he promise Isaac that he already promised Abraham? And what does he tell us about Abraham?
3. Abraham is a model for us to look back to. And what does he teach us? The importance of trusting and obeying God. This is what God wants!
4. What sin does Isaac commit that Abraham also committed? How does Abimelech respond when he finds out Isaac was lying? And why is he bothered about what Isaac did?
5. A pagan king named Abimelech protects Isaac. Then God prospers him to the point where the Philistines envy him. Finally Abimelech has to ask Isaac to leave because he is much stronger than they were. What does this have to do with God’s promise to Abraham? What does this tell you about God?
6. While Isaac is being blessed, it’s not always easy. What happens in verse 17-20 and verse 26 that demonstrates they are not in the Promised Land yet?
7. Finally Abimelech comes to Isaac and he says something about him in verse 29. What does he see about Isaac?
8. Isaac is being blessed by God. But what does his son Esau do and what is the result of that?
9. God is keeping His promise to Abraham after Abraham is dead and over the course of generations. What important truth does that tell you about God and how can that be an encouragement to you today?