So Isaac settled in Gerar. When the men of the place asked him about his wife, he said, “She is my sister,” for he feared to say, “My wife,” thinking, “lest the men of the place should kill me because of Rebekah,” because she was attractive in appearance. (Genesis 26:6,7 ESV)
Repeat
The concept of repeating is a common idea in Scripture.
Jesus preaches nearly the same sermon over and over. The primary message of every Biblical book is the same. We find some phrases (e.g. fear not, I will never leave you nor forsake you) repeated repeatedly.
We are instructed to repeat our forgiveness 490 times.
God forgave the thick-necked Israelites over and over and over.
What do all those repeats have in common?
The same thing that certain TV shows, certain desserts, certain books, certain road trips, certain conversations, certain hobbies are repeated.
We repeat what we love.
And God does, too.
This story of Isaac lying about Rebekah is a repeat of the story of Abraham and Sarah. And the story occurs twice for Abraham.
God repeats this story to us because just like Star Trek, cherry pie, The Hobbit, camping at Big Bear Lake, discussing our children, and collecting stamps… love is involved.
God repeats Himself to us, a lot. Because He loves both His Message, and His people.