Genesis 26:2Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

It is likely that Isaac intended to journey from this place to Egypt. To support this, consider how Scripture describes it: "The Lord appeared to him and said, 'Do not go to Egypt.' God assures him that He does not wish for him to travel so far away; instead, He instructs him to remain here. God promises that he will not suffer from lack, for He will bring to fruition the covenant made with his father. The commitments made to his father will be realized in him, and he will receive the fulfillment of those promises.

Question 78. Why did God instruct Isaac not to go to Egypt when famine drove him to consider it (Gen. 26:2)? The Almighty demonstrates His divine wisdom and providence in every circumstance. He permitted the Patriarch Abraham to travel to Egypt, not due to an inability to sustain him in Palestine but to reveal the faithfulness of Abraham to the Egyptians and inspire them to recognize and aspire to the virtue of the Patriarch. Conversely, He directed Isaac to stay in Palestine and blessed him with everything he needed, illustrating His capacity to provide just as He had richly supplied Abraham. When the land experienced scarcity, Isaac planted crops and reaped a plentiful harvest (Genesis 26:12).

Do not travel to Egypt. It is clear from this divine instruction that Isaac had planned to venture to Egypt; however, God prevented him from undertaking such a lengthy trip and designated the region of Gerar for his stay. God, who ensures that no one is tempted beyond their ability to endure, safeguarded Isaac from Egypt, which posed greater peril than Gerar, as evidenced by the account of Abraham.