A Valentine's Story - Genesis 26:25-33

We've all heard the story about the feuding families, the Hatfield's and McCoy's. There have been any number of tales spun around that theme, not the least of which are Romeo and Juliet and of course West Side Story. These yarns all ended up badly because of hatred and unforgiving hearts. People were hurt and relationships ruined forever because pride got in the way of peace.

Part of 'one another-ing is getting along. We are called to love our neighbor as ourselves, but this isn't always easy. We learn from Scripture that people fight and make-up, desert each other and return to make amends. We know also that Jesus encouraged his disciples to not only love but serve one another. If we don't get along, how can we serve?

They answered, “We saw clearly that the LORD was with you; so we said, ‘There ought to be a sworn agreement between us’—between us and you. Let us make a treaty with you that you will do us no harm, just as we did not harm you but always treated you well and sent you away peacefully. And now you are blessed by the LORD.” (Genesis 26:28-29)

King Abimelech saw how successful Isaac was and feared he would become too powerful. He saw Isaac as a threat so he commanded he move away, so Isaac did. Ninety years passed when the king of the Philistines returned to Isaac acknowledging his success was a blessing from God. He wanted to make peace, a covenant between the families/nations. Isaac turned this occasion into a celebration.

We are called to live in harmony for so much good can be accomplished when we care for each other.

Read the Genesis 26:25-33 text here.  Listen to an audio of  Genesis 26:25-33 here.