When God Says: "Don't Go There"

Genesis 26:1 Now there was a famine in the land, besides the former famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went to Gerar to Abimelech king of the Philistines. 2 And the Lord appeared to him and said, “Do not go down to Egypt; dwell in the land of which I shall tell you. 3 Sojourn in this land, and I will be with you and will bless you, for to you and to your offspring I will give all these lands, and I will establish the oath that I swore to Abraham your father. 4 I will multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and will give to your offspring all these lands. And in your offspring all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, 5 because Abraham obeyed my voice and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.” 6 So Isaac settled in Gerar. 

We have already seen God telling people to go, go in, go out. He also says "do not go." Isaac had seen some of God's faithfulness to his father and the way He directed him where to go.  God repeats the promise He had given to Abraham as also belonging to Isaac.  Isaac was able to actually spend time there, though it was still under the rule of Abimelech.  He also made some of the same dumb mistakes his father, had, which added to his great success made the Philistines envious and suspicious, and he had to leave. But at least Isaac "got a taste" of the promised land and the success God would give there.  It started when God said: "Don't go," so Isaac obeyed and stayed.