In Genesis 26, Isaac told the Philistines that Rebekah was his sister rather than his wife. She was a female relative, so by the language and customs of the time, it wasn't a complete lie, but his intent was still to deceive. Didn't Isaac learn from Abraham's example? Repetition and patterns in the Bible are calls to look deeper.

What events repeat in Israel's history that are like a man temporarily disavowing his wife? Perhaps the Assyria and Babylon exiles?