Daily Devotions
Genesis
"Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, That glory may dwell in our land." Psalm 85:9
Text: Genesis 26:1-35
YET ANOTHER WELL DUG
Once again the servants of Isaac reported to their master that they had successfully dug another well. This was the umpteenth well they had dug successfully! No wonder Abimelech declared that the Lord was with him, and that he was “blessed of the Lord” (Genesis 26:28, 29).
“It came to pass the same day that Isaac’s servants came
and told him about the well which they had dug, and said to him,
‘We have found water.’ So he called it Shebah. Therefore the name
of the city is Beersheba to this day.”GENESIS 26:32-33
FROM A WELL TO A CITY
Abimelech was not totally incorrect to fear the potential strength that Isaac possessed. A well may seem to be little more than an innocuous man-made protrusion from the ground. It was a welcome sight to weary travelers, in desperate need for water in the wilderness. In the hands of a wise man, a city could develop. Beersheba was the place that Abraham had dwelt a generation ago. Now, his son Isaac had the means to develop it into a city (Cf. Genesis 21:22-34)!
Isaac had dug many wells. At each well, he had placed some of his livestock under the care of his faithful servants. If Isaac had a string of wells, that meant that his power and influence had spread far and wide! The treaty that Abimelech and Isaac had sealed would benefit both sides.
BENEFITS OF THE ABIMELECH-ISAAC COVENANT
God’s hand of blessings continued to be upon Isaac. Beersheba’s development into a city was just an instance of the extent to which God had been blessing Isaac! Abimelech knew that he could not forestall the growth of wealth and power in Isaac’s life, but he could at least dwell in security of the knowledge that Isaac would honour the treaty they had concluded! The Philistines would not be attacked by the nascent power of the Hebrew people led by Isaac!
LEARNING VITAL LESSONS OF FAITH AND LIFE
The Scriptures captured important glimpses of the blessings that had fallen upon Isaac. These lessons were important, for they nourished the faith of all concerned – or at least, they should. Among many other lessons, the following may be highlighted!
1. The lesson of God’s Protection
How real and powerful that lesson was! With this vital lesson of faith, all fear was banished!
2. The lesson of God’s Blessing
God’s hand of blessing was such that even outsiders could see the Divine Hand! What a boost to the faith reflection and meditation could bring!