There was a famine in Canaan and Isaac went for help from Abimelech king of the Philistines in Gerar. God told Isaac not to go to Egypt which had plenty but stay put and trust in him as God reiterated his covenant promises made to Abraham. So Isaac stayed in Gerar. Whilst there Isaac played the same game with his wife being his sister as had his father. Like father like son! However the truth about Rebeca came to light before any sexual involvements occurred though Abimelech was most annoyed by the incident. Isaac planted crops in the land and received a bountiful harvest which added greatly to his wealth. The Philistines envied Isaac and filled their wells with earth, so Abimelech asked Isaac to move away and he moved to the Valley of Gerar. There Isaac re-opened the wells the Philistines had blocked up and gave them back their original names. Then Isaac's servants dug a fresh water well but this was disputed by the Gerar herdsmen so Isaac called it Esek (means dispute). They successfully dug another well but this again was disputed so he called it Sitnah (means opposition). Finally they managed to dig an undisputed well so Isaac called it Rehoboth (means room). Then Isaac went up to Beersheba where God appeared to him and promised his blessing. Isaac built an altar there, dug another well and called upon the name of the Lord. Then Abimelech and his men came and proposed a peace treaty with Isaac and they agreed to swear an oath to this end. When Esau was 40 years of age he married both Judith and Basemath and they were a source of grief to Isaac and Rebeca.
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