The Study of Genesis: Post Ten
***Note – We have completed the book of Job. Now, as we continue our journey through the Bible in chronological order, this is our tenth devotion in Genesis. Though we’re in Week 22 overall, we’ll be in Genesis for the next several weeks.
Focus: Genesis 25 – 26
Tip: I highly recommend journaling your responses to the questions, prompts, and reflections. Writing them out can help you process more deeply and see how God is working in your life.
This week’s devotion includes:
Chapter 25 – “A Blessed Life Like Abraham”
Chapter 26 – God’s Blessing and Peace”
(Remember: This is a once-a-week devotional that can be broken up over several days.)
Bible Memory:
Did you memorize last week’s Bible verse?
Hiding God’s Word in our hearts is such a valuable practice. Since I’ve been memorizing Scripture, I’ve experienced so many moments where God brings a specific verse to mind just when I need it most. It’s amazing how He uses His Word to speak into our lives right where we are.
This Week’s Memory Verse — “And the LORD appeared unto him the same night, and said, 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
Genesis Chapter 25
“A Blessed Life Like Abraham”
(Read Genesis Chapter 25 First)
When I first read Genesis 25, I was honestly shocked to learn that Abraham married again and had more children after Sarah’s death. He was already so old! But when you live to be 175 years old, that does change what we think of as “old age.” His new wife, Keturah, bore him six more sons.
Even though Abraham had all these other children, the Bible says he gave Isaac all that he possessed. The others received gifts and were sent away, but Isaac inherited the covenant promise.
Then verse 8 really spoke to me:
“Then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to his people.”
— Genesis 25:8 (KJV)
That is such a picture of a blessed life. That’s exactly what I want for my family and myself. I pray we live fully, die at peace, and one day be gathered together with those in heaven.
When we look at Abraham’s heart and life, we see why Scripture calls him “the friend of God.” Let’s take a closer look at some of the traits that may have led to his blessings.
1. Faith and Obedience
“By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed…”
— Hebrews 11:8 (KJV)
Abraham trusted God even when he didn’t understand the plan. He left everything familiar simply because God said “Go.”
2. Belief in God’s Promises
“And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.”
— Genesis 15:6 (KJV)
He believed God would do what He said even when it seemed impossible, like having Isaac at 100 years old.
3. Humility and Dependence on God
“And Abraham fell on his face: and God talked with him…”
— Genesis 17:3 (KJV)
Abraham approached God with humility and reverence. He knew every blessing came from the Lord, not his own effort.
4. Peacefulness and Generosity
“Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee… for we be brethren.”
— Genesis 13:8 (KJV)
When conflict came between him and Lot, Abraham chose peace over pride. He gave Lot first choice of the land, trusting that God would still take care of him. That’s the kind of strength that honors God.
5. Hospitality and Kindness
“And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him…”
— Genesis 18:2 (KJV)
Abraham was quick to serve others even if they were strangers. That heart of hospitality brought blessing; it was during that encounter that the Lord promised Isaac’s birth.
6. Intercession and Compassion
“Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?”
— Genesis 18:23 (KJV)
Abraham cared about people, even the sinful cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. His prayers for others tell us that he had a heart that reflected God’s mercy.
7. Willingness to Sacrifice
“And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.”
— Genesis 22:10 (KJV)
Abraham was willing to give up his most precious blessing to obey God. His obedience showed that his relationship with God mattered more than anything else.
8. Faithfulness Throughout His Life
“Then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years…”
— Genesis 25:8 (KJV)
A long, peaceful life was the fruit of walking faithfully with God for many years. Abraham trusted, obeyed, and worshiped through every season and God rewarded him with a full, blessed life.
Abraham was buried with Sarah in the cave of Machpelah, and after his death, Scripture lists the sons of Ishmael, his son by Hagar. I love how verse 16 connects back to God’s earlier promise:
“And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful… twelve princes shall he beget.”
— Genesis 17:20 (KJV)
And sure enough, Genesis 25:16 says,
“These are the sons of Ishmael… twelve princes according to their nations.”
Cold chills! God keeps every single promise.
Then we see Isaac praying earnestly for Rebekah, because she was barren for twenty years.
“And Isaac intreated the LORD for his wife… and the LORD was intreated of him.”
— Genesis 25:21 (KJV)
This shows the power of sincere prayer. When our hearts are humble and full of faith, God truly does hear us. Rebekah conceived not one baby but two!
When the babies struggled within her, Rebekah asked God what was happening, and the Lord told her that two nations were in her womb and the older would serve the younger. Those twins, Esau and Jacob, would grow into very different men and their story reminds us that God’s purposes are often carried out in ways we don’t expect.
Later in the chapter, Esau sells his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of soup.
He was so focused on satisfying his hunger that he gave away his sacred inheritance and blessing as firstborn.
This is a powerful warning for us today to not trade our spiritual blessings for temporary satisfaction. The world will always tempt us to choose what feels good right now instead of what’s eternal and right before God.
Real-Life Application
Abraham’s story, and this whole chapter, reminds me that a blessed life isn’t about having everything easy or perfect. It’s about walking with God in faith, obedience, humility, and prayer.
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Genesis Chapter 26
“God’s Blessing and Peace”
(Read Genesis Chapter 26 First)
In Genesis chapter 26, Isaac and Rebekah find themselves facing a famine, just like Abraham and Sarah once did. They needed somewhere to go for food, so they traveled to Gerar. And the LORD appeared to Isaac.
God told him something very specific:
“Don’t go down to Egypt. Stay where I tell you to stay.”
Then, God promised Isaac blessing, multiplication, land, and the fulfillment of every oath God made to his father, Abraham.
And then comes one of my favorite verses:
“Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.” (Genesis 26:5.)
It’s like God is saying to me… “Do you want to know why I bless? Do you want to know how to be blessed yourself?”
He answers it plainly…Because Abraham obeyed.
He obeyed God’s voice, God’s charge, His commandments, His statutes, and His laws.
I feel like the LORD is telling us today from his Word…
“Do what My Word tells you to do, and you will walk in blessing.”
And Isaac does just that. He stays in Gerar.
Then, history repeats itself.
Just like Abraham once did, Isaac became fearful for his life because of his wife’s beauty. Abraham lied about Sarah being his sister in Egypt, and now Isaac tells the men of Gerar the same thing about Rebekah.
After a long while, the truth comes out when King Abimelech sees Isaac flirting and playing with Rebekah through a window. His cover was blown!
Abimelech confronts him, warns everyone not to touch them, and God protects Isaac in spite of his lie.
Aren’t you thankful God blesses us even when we mess up?
Isaac stays obedient. He plants crops during a famine, and in the same year, he receives one hundredfold. God was blessing him so clearly and the Philistines became jealous. Isaac grows so prosperous that Abimelech finally asks him to leave.
Isaac moves on to the valley of Gerar. There he begins to re-dig his father’s wells that the Philistines had covered up, and he names them what Abraham named them.
One well brings strife.
The herdmen claim it.
So Isaac moves on.
Another well…more arguing.
So he moves again.
Finally, a well with no fighting, no claiming, no striving.
Isaac knows:
“This is the place God will bless me.” He says, “…For now the LORD hath made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land.” (Genesis 26:22)
And what a beautiful life lesson we can see through Isaac and the wells…Where there is constant strife, God may be calling you to adjust something in your life. Where there is peace, God can plant you and bless you.
Isaac goes to Beersheba, and the LORD appears again:
“And the LORD appeared unto him the same night, and said,
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.”
“Fear not… I am with thee… I will bless thee.”
Isaac responds with four things:
• He builds an altar
• Calls on the name of the Lord
• Pitches his tent
• Digs a well
He is planting his life where God wants him.
In this next section, we will see that people will see God’s hand on you.
Abimelech and his officials come to visit Isaac. Isaac is basically like,
“Why are you here? You sent me away.”
But look at their answer:
“We saw that the LORD is certainly with you.”
God makes even your enemies recognize His protection over you.
They ask for peace and a covenant because they fear the hand of God on Isaac’s life.
Isaac prepares a feast and they all enjoy it together. They leave in peace.
And that same day, Isaac’s servants hit water in the well they were digging. Another blessing!
God is confirming His promise over and over.
The chapter closes with Esau marrying two Hittite women, and the Bible says this was a grief to Isaac and Rebekah (Genesis 26:34–35). It reminds me of how Abraham carefully sent for a wife for Isaac from his own people.
Ending / Closing Reflection:
As we see in Genesis 25–26, a blessed life isn’t about perfection or having everything easy. It’s about faithfully walking with God, trusting His guidance, obeying His commands, and resting in His promises.
Isaac’s story teaches us that:
• Peace can be a sign of God’s favor. Where there is strife, God may be calling you to adjust, but where there is peace, He can plant and bless you.
• God can protects us, even when we make mistakes or feel uncertain.
• God’s blessings are often tied to obedience, trust, and patience.
Take a moment to reflect: Are there areas in your life where God is calling you to trust Him more fully? Are you seeking His peace instead of striving in conflict? Are you planting your life where He can bless it?
The Georgia Nest 