From Eden to Egypt Day 33

11 So Abimelek gave orders to all the people: “Anyone who harms this man or his wife shall surely be put to death.” 12 Isaac planted crops in that land and the same year reaped a hundredfold, because the LORD blessed him. 13 The man became rich, and his wealth continued to grow until he became very wealthy. 14 He had so many flocks and herds and servants that the Philistines envied him. 15 So all the wells that his father’s servants had dug in the time of his father Abraham, the Philistines stopped up, filling them with earth.
- Genesis 26:11-15 (NIV)

Issac parted ways with Abimelek with an order of protection for both he and his wife.  However, Abimelek's orders did not cover Issac's wells "that his father's servants had dug in the time of his father Abraham." Those were not on the list of covered items in the king's orders.  The Philistines "envied" Isaac and his wealth of "planted crops" and "many flocks and herds." Here was an outsider making it and being more successful than those who had been born and raised there.

It's an all-too-familiar scenario.  It plays out throughout the centuries in various ways.  History will have to be retold one day about the many people who did not enslavement on plantations, residency on government reservations, growing up in reform houses, or temporary stays in internment camps hold them back from garnering the blessings that the Lord can bestow upon us.  For far too long, we have endured the countless tales of welfare mamas of color living on the dole simply because Mama and her mama before her had done the same all the way back to FDR's New Deal.  That's the story told to us, but we don't have to buy it. That's what political pundits and talking heads on broadcast radio want us to get all riled up about when we talk about cuts in spending and holding more people accountable.

Issac thrived in a foreign land.  He was blessed in a place called Gerar.  Gerar means "lodging-place."  It is derived from the Hebrew word that means "to sojourn."  In essence, you can't see Gerar as your home when you are destined for somewhere else.  Gerar may only be a resting place for you.  It may only be a temporary dwelling for you.  Don't get settled in Gerar.  You just get busy despite the haters and others who envy your success and blessings.  You can't control how it goes for them. 

The Word says "because God blessed him" in verse 12.  Issac was just the recipient.  God did the blessing.  Isaac was simply obedient.  God blessed him.  Isaac made the best out of what he had, but it was God who did the blessing.  Don't caught up in what you had to go through to get your blessing.  Get excited that God can bless you despite what you had to go through.  Someone else didn't get that blessing.  others wanted it, but they just couldn't get it.  God is still in the blessing business.  Are you working with expectancy and in obedience? Or, are you simply sulking and hating on the next person who is getting their blessing? You know yourself.