Title: Wells of Blessings

Scripture reading: Genesis 26:18

“And Isaac dug again the wells of water which they had dug in the days of Abraham his father, for the Philistines had stopped them up after the death of Abraham. He called them by the names which his father had called them.”

Main idea: Wherever Isaac journeyed, the enemy followed him and confiscated his father’s wells and also the new wells that Isaac’s servants dug.

One of the things written about Isaac had to do with wells. In the Bible, wells sometimes symbolize blessings from the Lord (Genesis 21:19; 49:22; Exodus 15:27; Numbers 21:16-18; Song 4:15; Isa. 12:3; John 4:14).  Our text gives details of Isaac’s well digging. It speaks of three things about the wells.

First, Digging the well required hard work
In our Christian life nothing comes easy. “Isaac dug again the wells of water which they had dug in the days of Abraham his father.” The Philistines had stopped up the wells which Abraham had dug—an unfriendly act signifying that the newcomers were not welcome. Wells were deep and digging required hard work. God has a habit of giving his blessings to those who are not afraid of work. If you are short on success maybe the reason is your unwillingness to labor. Sabbath rest came with a condition, namely, “Six days you shall labor” (Exodus 20:9). The church or the Christian keeps looking for something new, when all we need is to dig again the old wells of spiritual life that God’s people have depended on from the beginning–the Word of God, prayer, worship and service–wells that we’ve allowed the enemy to fill up.

Second, enemy’s stopping of the wells
The enemy always try to hinder the work of the Lord. “The Philistines had stopped them after the death of Abraham.” There are always people in society who are oppose the good. They are non-diggers. Modern day Philistines in our churches stop the wells of every program to advance the water of life to needy souls. Whenever there’s been a revival in the history of the church, it’s been because somebody has dug again the old wells so that God’s life-giving Spirit can be free to work.

Whenever Abraham had a problem with people, he confronted them and got the matter settled, whether it was his relative nephew Lot (Genesis 13:5-18), or the invading kings (Genesis 14). But his son Isaac was a retiring man who wanted to avoid confrontation. In every situation of life, we must use discernment to know whether God wants us to be confronters like Abraham or peacemakers like Isaac. God can bless and use both approaches. Romans 12:18 says, “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” Sometimes it may not be possible, but at least we should try (James 3:17). No matter who is against us, God is with us and for us (Genesis 28:15; 31:3; Romans 8:31-39), and there’s no need for us to be afraid.

Third, the naming of the wells
“He called them after the names by which his father had called them.” Abraham had given the wells some good names and Isaac would revive the names. The lesson is that we need to get back to using the same truthfulness of our forefathers used. We need to call sin by its right names. Abortion is pro-murder not pro-choice. Homosexuality is an abominable lifestyle not an alternative lifestyle. Drunkenness destroys the family. The old names were truthful, not deceitful.

Application
Genesis 26:25 says, “So he built an altar there and called on the name of the LORD, and he pitched his tent there; and there Isaac’s servants dug a well.” Like his father Abraham, Isaac was identified by his tent and altar. The tent identified Isaac as a pilgrim here on this earth, and the altar announced that he worshipped Jehovah and was heading to the heavenly city.

Like Isaac, all who have trusted Jesus Christ are strangers and pilgrims, heading to the eternal home (1 Peter 1:1; 2:11). The body we live now is our tent; one day it will be taken down and we’ll go to the heavenly home (2 Cor. 5:1-8). Life here is brief and temporary, one day, our glorified body will be ours for eternity (Phil. 3:20-21; 1 John 3:1-3). While we’re here on earth, let’s build the altar and give our witness that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world.

Let’s pray together
heavenly Father, we are pilgrims here. Life here is brief and temporary, because this tent is fragile. Help us Lord to build the alter and to be a witness for your Name. In Jesus Name, Amen