GENESIS FOR GEN Z

CHAPTER 26

So there's another food crisis, not the first rodeo since Abraham's time. Isaac hits up Abimelech in Gerar, Philistine turf. God pops up and is like, "Egypt? Nah, stay put in this spot I'm showing you. Chill here, and I've got you. You and your kids will get all this land, sticking to the promise I made to your dad, Abraham. Your descendants will be as numerous as stars, and they'll score all these lands. Through them, I'll bless everyone on earth. All because Abraham listened up and followed my lead, my commands, my guidelines, and my rules." So, Isaac settled in Gerar.

Locals got nosy about Rebekah, and Isaac pulled the "She's my sister" card, scared they'd off him for his wife, since she was easy on the eyes.

After a while, Abimelech catches Isaac and Rebekah in a not-so-sibling moment. Abimelech's like, "Dude, obviously she's your wife. Why'd you pull the sister act?" Isaac's all, "Thought I'd get killed over her."

Abimelech's not impressed, "You could've got us in serious trouble if someone got cozy with your wife."

Then he warns everyone, "Touch Isaac or his wife, and you're dead."

Isaac plants crops, hits the jackpot with a hundredfold return, all thanks to God's blessing. Guy's blowing up, getting richer and more powerful by the minute. He's got so much livestock and staff that the Philistines are green with envy. They even trash all the wells Abraham's crew had dug by filling them with dirt.

Abimelech's like, "You're too big for us now, time to move on."

So Isaac packs up, moves to Gerar's valley, and sets up camp. He reopens the water wells his dad's team dug, which the Philistines had blocked, naming them after the original names his dad picked.

Digging in the valley, his servants find a fresh spring. But the local shepherds argue with Isaac's, claiming the water. Isaac names the well Esek because of the beef. They dig another well, same drama, and he names it Sitnah. Moving on, he digs yet another well, no drama this time. He names it  Rehoboth, saying, "Finally, we've got space to grow!"

Then he heads up to Beersheba. That night, God's like, "I'm the God of your dad. Don't sweat it, I'm with you. I'll bless you and multiply your descendants for Abraham's sake."

Isaac builds an altar, calls on God, sets up his tent, and his crew digs another well.

Abimelech rolls up with his buddy Ahuzzath and Phichol, the army chief, from Gerar. Isaac's like, "What's up with the visit? Thought you weren't fans."

They're like, "It's clear God's with you. Let's swear not to mess with each other. We've been cool to you, sent you off peacefully. You're God's favorite now."

Isaac throws a big meal, they eat, drink, and make merry. Early next day, they make a promise and part ways peacefully.

Same day, Isaac's crew reports they've struck water. He names it Shebah, making the place Beersheba.

Esau, at 40, marries Judith and Bashemath, Hittite women. Esau's wives were seriously stressing Isaac and Rebekah out.