The old wells are filled with rubble. New wells needed? Or dig out the ones our fathers dug?
Abraham was known for his altars. It is said he built them at Shechem (Gen 12:6-7), Bethel (v 8), Hebron (13:18), and Moriah (22:9). Later, Jacob will be known for his four pillars: at Bethel (28:18), Mizpah (31:45), back at Bethel (35:14), and Bethlehem (35:20). Hmmm! Abraham’s four altars. Jacob’s four pillars. You don’t suppose… But, no, Isaac’s men dig SIX wells. However, as we shall see, he only gets to keep four after all. And before we look at the well-digging projects, here’s a practical note. The altars speak of relationship, Abraham’s relationship with the Lord. Abraham was welcome in heaven any time, as are all God’s people. We need both family and personal altars, places where we meet with Him. Pillars speak of remembrance, markers to recall those special times of God’s dealings in our lives. We can’t afford to forget His goodness to us: “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits” (Ps 103:2). Wells speak of resources, reminding us of the need to dig deeply into God’s Word, especially when the world around us is suffering drought. “Therefore with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation” (Isa 12:3). Here’s what we read: “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” (Gen 26:18). The enemy wants us as dry as the world around us. That’s why every generation of believers needs to redig the wells, rediscovering the same truths their fathers knew, but in a fresh way. And the two forbidden wells? They were called Esek (meaning “strife”) and Sitnah (“quarreling”). Let’s leave that bitterness for the bad guys.