WHEN Isaac realized that he was in the midst of people who, although professing friendliness, were really enemies of God, he should have been extremely careful and on guard lest they defile his walk or rob him of what was his by right of inheritance. In like manner the child of God today must also walk in a scene where there are many “Philistines” around him. But his pathway should be separate from them and he should shun associations in any way other than what the business of life may require. The scripture speaks of such very plainly: “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall... [have] a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away... Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth... men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.” 2 Tim. 3:1-81This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. (2 Timothy 3:1‑8). How important it is to heed this warning concerning that which is around him in the world, appearing good to the eye of man, but corrupt at heart.
An example of this was found in the days of Nehemiah. Those who saw the progress of his building the wall around the city of Jerusalem sought to have a part in the enterprise. But Nehemiah recognized the insincerity of those people, and said to them: “The God of heaven, He will prosper us; therefore we His servants will arise and build: but ye have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem.”
The Christian is warned against joining hands with the men or organizations of this world, neither is he to invite them to participate in his affairs. He is to remain apart from their programs and pursuits, no matter how uplifting the cause may appear to be. If deluded int doing so, as so many of God’s dear people have been, he will only see himself dragged down to the world’s level, while all his efforts to improve the world are fruitless.
Isaac’s father Abraham had dug many wells in that land more than 75 years before and these rightfully belonged to his descendants. But the Philistines filled them with earth. In stopping those wells these people were therefore depriving Isaac of what should have been his to enjoy, This reflects the treacherous nature of false profession about us. If it cannot participate in the blessings that belong only to those of true faith, then it will do all possible to spoil them. May we guard most carefully the holy Word of God and the wellsprings of living water, lest they fall into enemy hands and be polluted or cut off.
But they were not content with thus depriving Isaac’s company of what was rightfully theirs. “And Abimelech said unto Isaac, Go from us; for thou art much mightier than we. And Isaac departed thence, and pitched his tent in the valley of Gerar, and dwelt there.” vv. 16, 17. Perhaps Isaac was reluctant to give up his prosperous place among these people, yet this was actually a blessing. We may be sure that God was ordering it for his good.
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