Daily Devotions
Genesis
"All the horns of the wicked I will also cut off, But the horns of the righteous shall be exalted." Psalm 75:10
Text: Genesis 26:1-35
AN OLD COVENANT AGREEMENT
In the days of Abraham, the Philistines tried to find fault with him concerning the wells that he had dug. Abimelech’s men had seized a well that had been dug by Abraham’s servant.
“Then Abraham rebuked Abimelech because of a well of water
Which Abimelech’s servants had seized.”GENESIS 21:25
The dispute was finally resolved. A parity covenant or treaty was established between Abraham and Abimelech at Beersheba (Cf. Genesis 21:32). In that treaty both sides promised that they would not deal falsely with each other. That treaty was meant to cover Isaac’s generation as well. Let us recall what Abimelech said to Abraham at that time.
“Now therefore, swear to me by God that you will not
deal falsely with me, with my offspring, or with my posterity;
but that according to the kindness that I have done to you,
you will do to me and to the land in which you have dwelt.
And Abraham said, ‘I will swear.'”GENESIS 21:23-24
THE MALICE OF THE PHILISTINES
The Abimelech of Isaac’s generation did not possess the honour and dignity of the ruler in Abraham’s generation. The new generation turned out to be spiteful and malicious.
“Now the Philistines had stopped up all the wells which
his father’s servants had dug in the days of Abraham his father,
and they had filled them with earth. And Abimelech said to Isaac,
‘Go away from us, for you are much mightier than we.’ ”GENESIS 26:15-16
1. Filling up the wells with earth
A well takes a few months to dig! A well serves an entire community and not just a household. To stop up a well and to fill it with earth was nothing short of being malicious!
2. Demand that Isaac leave Gerar
Abimelech made no reference to the old treaty that was established with Abraham. Out of envy, he demanded that Isaac leave his land! Great was the tension felt between the Philistines and Isaac’s tribe!
Isaac knew that he was not at fault! The Philistines were just being mean and nasty! What was the best response? Surely it would be a steadfast faith in the Lord!