Genesis 1-26

Life is not conflict-free. Conflict arises from many sources and for many reasons. The story of Cain and Abel tells of conflict with family arising from jealousy. Chapter six tells us about a land full of violence caused by corruption. God sent a flood. In chapter 9 we are told that God required that governments protect the sanctity of life by punishing murder. Chapter 13 tells of a conflict between Lot’s herders and Abraham’s shortage of resources. Chapter 14 tells of a conflict between Kings, driven by a desire for power. Lot and many others were taken captive. Abraham entered the conflict because of his desire to set the captives free. Chapter 16 tells of a conflict between Sarah and her slave Hagar. The conflict arose from jealousy, envy, pride and contempt.

The story of conflict continues in chapter 19. There is conflict between Lot and the men of Sodom. This conflict was rooted in lust and depravity. Chapter 20 tells of a conflict between Abimelek and Abraham. It centered on control of a well and arose out of a misunderstanding. Now in chapter 26 we see conflict coming to Isaac. The conflict is partly driven by jealousy, and partly driven by fear. Isaac is told to move away. He finds his neighbors are filling in the wells his father dug. If you read ahead through the rest of Genesis, you will find conflict to be a recurring theme.

Each of these conflicts required its own unique solution. Cain chose a wicked solution. Abraham chose to go the extra mile to avoid conflict with Lot. Abraham chose to go to war to set his nephew Lot free. He solved the conflict between his wife Sarah and her slave Hagar by sending Hagar and Ishmael away. 25:5 tells us that he took care of them financially when he sent them away. The conflict in Sodom was solved by God blinding the men and destroying the city. The conflict between Abraham and Abimelek was solved by honest and open communication. Isaac solved his conflict by moving and digging more wells.

Being righteous will never make your life conflict-free. Conflicts happen. A right relationship with God and a desire to have a right relationship with everyone else will always effect the way we handle conflict. Every conflict is different. Every conflict arises from its own unique situation and motivations. Conflict requires us to seek God’s will. Every conflict requires us to respond righteously to an unrighteous situation. We can view conflict not as a problem, but as an opportunity. Conflict is an opportunity to live out righteousness.