Dig Your Well

Dear Friends,

There are many lessons for us today as we examine the lives of our spiritual forebears (all emphasis mine):

Genesis 26:12-25
(In a time of famine, the Lord directed Isaac to go to the Philistine King Abimelech and the thriving city
of Gerar. Though Isaac prospered there, he encountered many challenges along the way.)

Isaac planted crops in that land and the same year reaped a hundredfold, because the LORD blessed
him. The man became rich, and his wealth continued to grow until he became very wealthy. He had so
many flocks and herds and servants that the Philistines envied him. So all the wells that his father's
servants had dug in the time of his father Abraham, the Philistines stopped up, filling them with earth.

Then Abimelech said to Isaac, "Move away from us; you have become too powerful for us." So Isaac
moved away from there and encamped in the Valley of Gerar and settled there. (Gerar means “halting
place” or “annoyance.”) Isaac reopened the wells that had been dug in the time of his father Abraham,
which the Philistines had stopped up after Abraham died, and he gave them the same names his father
had given them.

Isaac's servants dug in the valley and discovered a well of fresh water there. But the herdsmen of Gerar
quarreled with Isaac's herdsmen and said, "The water is ours!” So, he named the well Esek, because
they disputed with him. (Esek means “strife or contention.”) Then they dug another well, but they
quarreled over that one also; so, he named it Sitnah. (Sitnah means “accusation, hostility or hatred.”)

He moved on from there and dug another well, and no one quarreled over it. He named it Rehoboth,
saying, "Now the LORD has given us room and we will flourish in the land.” (Rehoboth means “there is
room for me” or “broad spaces.” When the enemy attempts to “drive us out,” the Lord always makes
room for his children – to protect them and meet their needs!)

From there he went up to Beersheba. (Beersheba means “the well of the oath” and was named because
of the digging of the well and making of a covenant between Abraham and Abimelech.)

That night the LORD appeared to him and said, "I am the God of your father Abraham. Do not be afraid,
for I am with you; I will bless you and will increase the number of your descendants for the sake of my
servant Abraham.” (Just as Isaac was blessed for the sake of his father, Abraham – today, our young
people will enjoy the Lord’s favor and blessings, for the sake of their faithful and prayerful spiritual
forebears!)

Isaac built an altar there and called on the name of the LORD. There he pitched his tent, and there his
servants dug a well.

Isaac, the son of Abraham, inherited not only material wealth but also a spiritual legacy. One significant act was the re-digging of his father’s old wells, which had been filled in by the Philistines after Abraham’s death. The Philistines saw that God was with Isaac and blessed him with a hundred-fold harvest. This resulted in great envy and resentment, so the Philistines immediately stopped up Abraham’s old wells. To a nomadic, desert people, wells were most precious – vital in sustaining life. The testing of Isaac’s faith developed perseverance!

This act can be seen as an object lesson for today in several ways:

1. Preserving Heritage: By reopening the wells, Isaac honored his father’s legacy and maintained the resources that had once sustained their family. This teaches us the importance of valuing and preserving our religious heritage and traditions – while also providing for the needs of our families.

2. Resilience and Faith: Isaac’s determination to re-dig the wells, despite opposition, symbolizes resilience and faith. It reminds us to persevere in our efforts and maintain our beliefs even when faced with cultural opposition and persecution.

3. Renewal and Continuity: The act of re-digging wells can be seen as a metaphor for renewing our spiritual and personal lives. Just as Isaac restored the wells, we can rejuvenate our own lives by revisiting and revitalizing the foundational values that guide us as believers.

4. Resourcefulness: Wells were vital sources of water, essential for survival. Isaac’s actions highlight the importance of being resourceful and ensuring that essential spiritual and natural resources are available for future generations.

In essence, Isaac’s re-digging of his father’s wells serves as a powerful reminder to honor our past, stay resilient in the face of adversity, renew our commitments, and be resourceful in sustaining what is essential life and godliness.

The Evil One intends to rob our young people of their spiritual legacy. Satan purposes to “stop up” the wells previous generations have dug for them. Yet, there is a remnant of faithful and strong believers who will honor the Lord and persevere in digging wells for themselves, their children, and future generations.

Our nation and the American Church are at a crossroads:

Jeremiah 6:16
This is what the Lord says:
"Stand at the crossroads and look;
ask for the ancient paths,
ask where the good way is, and walk in it,
and you will find rest for your souls.”

Judah was warned by the Lord through the prophets, yet they refused to walk in the “ancient paths” of righteousness and truth – that is, faithfully obeying the Word of God. Instead, they were self-deceived, thinking they knew better! They refused to repent, choosing the path to destruction rather than the path to redemption.

Isaiah 30:21
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way;
walk in it."

The voice is from godly educators who teach the inspired, inerrant, infallible Word of God! If we fail to listen to them, we will walk on the paths of unrighteousness – to our own peril!

We dig wells on our knees in prayer and in humble submission and obedience to God. These spiritual wells will bring forth the “Living Waters” of the Holy Spirit, the Word of God, the love and peace of Jesus and a call to repentance and personal holiness! To God be the glory!

May you all continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, as you walk with Him in this wonderful journey of faith. Be blessed!

Pastor Paul