And Isaac sowed in that land and reaped in the same year a hundredfold. the Lord blessed him, and the man became rich, and gained more and more until he became very wealthy. He had possessions of flocks and herds and many servants, so that the Philistines envied him. (Now the Philistines had stopped and filled with earth all the wells that his father's servants had dug in the days of Abraham his father.) And Abimelech said to Isaac, "go away from us, for you are much mightier than we." So Isaac departed from there and encamped in the valley of Gerar and settled there. And Isaac dug again the wells of water that had been dug in the days of Abraham his father, which the philistines had stopped after the death of Abraham. and he gave them the names that his father had given them. But when Isaac's servants dug in the valley and found there a well of spring water, the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with Isaac's herdsmen, saying, "the water is ours." So he called the name of the well Esek, because they contended with him. Then they dug another well, and they did not quarrel over it. So he called its name Rehoboth, saying, "for now the Lord has made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land." Genesis 26: 12-22 ESV
Isaac doesn't go to Egypt, but stays in the land and is blessed in a place that was suffering from famine. He does so well that he becomes wealthy and the envy of his neighbors. Because his possessions have grown so large, Abimelech, the Philistine king, asks that he leave. The Philistines had filled the wells that Isaac's father had dug, and in an arid land, a place of famine, this could have led to war. Isaac does not seem so greatly moved by this and even later when his men quarrel with the herdsmen of Gerar, he does not run to any king. He does not state his case, but behaves as a visitor in the land. He simply digs another well and calls it "room enough".
By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Hebrews 11:9&10 NKJV
Maybe the well wasn't such a big deal after all. Maybe the God who created the earth and the water had something else in mind. God was the one who told him to stay and not go to Egypt. Isaac does not despise the covenant promise; he is content that it is not the Lord's time. "For now the Lord has made room for us." He does not have to fight with his neighbors, or make claim of rights. They can envy him all they want, but all he has to do is trust God. The same God that revealed Himself to Isaac when he was weak before the king. That same king made it a death sentence to harm Isaac or touch his wife.
I hear a call to war with a lot of christians these days. "Claim what's rightfully yours, take hold of your blessing, don't be a door mat." The Bible tells us that Isaac's servants dug a well, but the testimony is that he dug another one. It is a fight most certainly, but not with our neighbors.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your request be made known unto God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6&7 NKJV
Isaac doesn't go to Egypt, but stays in the land and is blessed in a place that was suffering from famine. He does so well that he becomes wealthy and the envy of his neighbors. Because his possessions have grown so large, Abimelech, the Philistine king, asks that he leave. The Philistines had filled the wells that Isaac's father had dug, and in an arid land, a place of famine, this could have led to war. Isaac does not seem so greatly moved by this and even later when his men quarrel with the herdsmen of Gerar, he does not run to any king. He does not state his case, but behaves as a visitor in the land. He simply digs another well and calls it "room enough".
By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Hebrews 11:9&10 NKJV
Maybe the well wasn't such a big deal after all. Maybe the God who created the earth and the water had something else in mind. God was the one who told him to stay and not go to Egypt. Isaac does not despise the covenant promise; he is content that it is not the Lord's time. "For now the Lord has made room for us." He does not have to fight with his neighbors, or make claim of rights. They can envy him all they want, but all he has to do is trust God. The same God that revealed Himself to Isaac when he was weak before the king. That same king made it a death sentence to harm Isaac or touch his wife.
I hear a call to war with a lot of christians these days. "Claim what's rightfully yours, take hold of your blessing, don't be a door mat." The Bible tells us that Isaac's servants dug a well, but the testimony is that he dug another one. It is a fight most certainly, but not with our neighbors.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your request be made known unto God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6&7 NKJV
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