Hidden (Krypto) Treasures

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Oh Isaac, Oh Isaac, why are you trembling (very exceedingly)?

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On May 17, 2016

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

When Isaac found out that he had been deceived by his younger son Jacob who robbed his elder brother of his blessings from Isaac, the Bible records that Isaac trembled very exceedingly. Isaac was shaken to the core within that he shook uncontrollably involuntarily. Trembling is a physical response that is evoked when one is in a state of adventure, anxiety or apprehension. No doubt Isaac was in an adventure, not the kind he wanted possibly, for the adventure in which he sought to bless his favorite son (Esau) despite God’s plan, that the elder (Esau) would serve the younger (Jacob) (Genesis 25:23), led to great anxiety and apprehension, that shook him to the core.

Points to ponder:
Isaac attempted to cheat God and was in turn cheated by his own son. Isaac who was not shaken when his father Abraham was about to sacrifice him because of his obedience to God was now shaken because of his disobedience to God. Deception leads to despair and trying to cheat God of his plan is not a trivial matter – it is a trembling matter – a very exceedingly trembling matter. We must submit to God our will, just as Jesus did (Luke 22:42), instead of trying to subvert it and end up trembling very exceedingly with anxiety and apprehension. God’s will is that all must be saved (1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9) by believing in his Son, Jesus Christ, as their Savior, Lord and Master (Acts 16:31; John 13:14-17). Are you and I trembling very exceedingly?

Genesis 27:33 (KJV)
33 And Isaac trembled very exceedingly, and said, Who? where is he that hath taken venison, and brought it me, and I have eaten of all before thou camest, and have blessed him? yea, and he shall be blessed.

Hast thou but one blessing, my father?

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On May 13, 2016

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 27:30-38 gives the account of Esau, the firstborn son of Isaac, discovering that his younger brother Jacob had deceitfully usurped him of his blessings, in addition to his birthright, which he foolishly relinquished for a bowl of soup. As soon as Isaac had given his blessings to Jacob and Jacob had barely left Isaac’s presence, Esau returned from his hunting. He made the savory venison meal that his father had requested as a condition to give his blessings to Esau, and asked his father to arise and eat and bless him. Isaac’s realizing that he had been cheated trembled and asked the same question he had asked his other son Jacob – Who are you? Esau responds that he was his firstborn, though he was devoid of his birthright which he had sold to his brother Jacob. Technically, Esau had no rights to his father’s blessings. Isaac informs Esau of the subtlety of Jacob and that he had blessed Jacob already. When Esau heard this, he cried out with a great and exceedingly bitter cry and asked his father to bless him also. Esau also exclaimed that Jacob had lived up to his name as a supplanter who had robbed him of his birthright first and now his blessings and questioned his father “Have you not reserved a blessing for me?”, “Has thou but one blessing, my father?” and he lift out of his voice and wept.

Points to ponder:
The questions posed by Esau to Isaac, his father were “Hast thou not reserved a blessing for me?” and “Has thou but one blessing, my father?” It is sad to see that Esau own desires to gratify the desires of his flesh (Genesis 25:29-34) had robbed him of the spiritual blessings he was originally entitled to as the firstborn son of the father.

While this account gives us a clear picture of our natural state of affairs, there is hope and good news that can be gleaned from this account. As the children of Adam, who gratified the desires of his flesh and ate the fruit of the forbidden tree (Genesis 3), we relinquished the right we had with God the Father and our creator. The spiritual blessings that we were to enjoy, being created in God’s own image, was lost (1 Corinthians 15:22). The questions that we had to grapple with and that made all creation groan (Romans 8:22), for even the land was cursed on account of Adam’s sin (Romans 3:17-18) were “Have you not reserved a blessing for me?”, “Has thou but one blessing, O God our Father?”

But praise be to God the Father, who made the provision of his Only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, the firstborn over all creation (Colossians 1:15), who makes it possible for us to be adopted back into God’s family, when we believe in him and when we receive him. And all whoever accepts Jesus as their Savior, Master and Lord are adopted as children of God (John 1:12, Romans 8:15) and are blessed not in one, but in all spiritual blessings (Ephesians 1:3) – from selecting us before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless, giving us sonship and saving us by his blood and forgiving us, and sealing us by his Holy Spirit of promise (Ephesians 1:3-13).

Since all who have believed in and accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as God’s son, our Savior, have been blessed in all spiritual blessings, they do not need to ask “Has thou but one blessing, my father?”. Do you have to? Don’t leave that question unanswered, please.

Genesis 27:30-38 (KJV)
30 And it came to pass, as soon as Isaac had made an end of blessing Jacob, and Jacob was yet scarce gone out from the presence of Isaac his father, that Esau his brother came in from his hunting.
31 And he also had made savoury meat, and brought it unto his father, and said unto his father, Let my father arise, and eat of his son’s venison, that thy soul may bless me.
32 And Isaac his father said unto him, Who art thou? And he said, I am thy son, thy firstborn Esau.
33 And Isaac trembled very exceedingly, and said, Who? where is he that hath taken venison, and brought it me, and I have eaten of all before thou camest, and have blessed him? yea, and he shall be blessed.
34 And when Esau heard the words of his father, he cried with a great and exceeding bitter cry, and said unto his father, Bless me, even me also, O my father.
35 And he said, Thy brother came with subtilty, and hath taken away thy blessing.
36 And he said, Is not he rightly named Jacob? for he hath supplanted me these two times: he took away my birthright; and, behold, now he hath taken away my blessing. And he said, Hast thou not reserved a blessing for me?
37 And Isaac answered and said unto Esau, Behold, I have made him thy lord, and all his brethren have I given to him for servants; and with corn and wine have I sustained him: and what shall I do now unto thee, my son?
38 And Esau said unto his father, Hast thou but one blessing, my father? bless me, even me also, O my father. And Esau lifted up his voice, and wept.

Refractive Crystals in God’s hands

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On May 12, 2016

In Anniversary (Wedding), Christian, Sangeetha

Murano Island - FamilyMay 12, 2016 – Sangeetha and I celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary and the symbol for the 15th anniversary is a “crystal”.

When visiting the Murano Island near Venice in May 2015, we were mind blown by the exquisite and intricate work and beauty of the glass work which are known around the world as the Murano crystals.

The word crystal is recorded 5 times in the King James Version of the Holy Bible, once in the book of Job where it is likened to be not as valuable as wisdom and understanding (Job 28:12-18), once in Ezekiel where it is used in the description of the firmament stretched above the heads of the living creatures (Ezekiel 1:22) and three times in Revelation – first as the sea of glass (Revelation 4:6), then as the holy Jerusalem descending out of heaven from God (Revelation 21:11) and finally as the pure river of water of life proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb, Jesus Christ (Revelation 22:1). The Light Crystal

Crystals get their color and beauty in the way they bend (refract) light that is not reflected from its surface. They are usually singly refractive meaning that the light that enters the crystal is not divided into two rays or they are multi refractive means that light that enters the crystals are divided into two or more rays, often causing a beautiful prism effect.

This is our prayer today, that Sangeetha and I are singly refractive of the pure light of life that has entered into our lives and that we would be multi refractive of the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ, that we hold in these earthly bodies (jars of clay), creating a beautiful prism effect on others, as The Light of the world, Jesus Christ, shines forth from our lives. Our prayer is that we are refractive crystals in God’s hands and we seek that same prayer from you.

Revelation 22:1 (KJV)
1 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.

2 Corinthians 4:6-7 (KJV)
6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

Image Source: TEDCO

The blessing of Jacob (and of Jesus)

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On May 11, 2016

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 27:28-29 lists the blessing that Jacob receives from his father, Isaac. It was for God, the Almighty (Elohim) to give unto Isaac the dew of heaven and the fatness of the earth with plenty of corn and wine. It was for people to serve him and for nations to bow down to him: for him to be lord over his brethren and for his mother’s sons to bow down to him: and anyone who cursed him would be cursed and any one who blessed him would be blessed.
In other words, this was a blessing of:
– prosperity: the dew of heaven (waters/rain) and fatness of the earth with plenty of corn and wine (harvest); one that meant no drought and/or famine.
– power: with people serving and nations bowing down and for him to be lord over his people.
– passage: of blessings and curses reciprocally.

Points to ponder:
Jacob, the son of promise, deceptively got the blessing of prosperity, power and passage from his father, Isaac.
Jesus, the Promised Son of God (Genesis 3:15) duly got, from God, the Father, the blessing of:
– prosperity (for the harvest is plenty – Matthew 9:37),
– power (for all authority is given to Jesus and he is Lord over all; the King of kings and Lord of lords – Matthew 28:18; Revelation 19:16) and
– passage (for we are blessed in Christ with all spiritual blessings and those who do not love him are cursed – Ephesians 1:3; Matthew 12:21;1 Corinthians 16:22),

Are you blessed in Christ Jesus with all spiritual blessings or are you cursed? In other words, do you love Jesus or not? If we love him, we will keep his commands and people will know that we are his disciples.

Genesis 27: 28-29 (KJV)
28 Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine:
29 Let people serve thee, and nations bow down to thee: be lord over thy brethren, and let thy mother’s sons bow down to thee: cursed be every one that curseth thee, and blessed be he that blesseth thee.

Sensible Guidance or Spiritual Guidance

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On May 10, 2016

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 27:14-27 lists the account of how Isaac was deceived by his wife, Rebekah, and his secondborn son, Jacob, who usurped the blessings of Esau, the firstborn of Isaac.
Upon the command of Rebekah, Jacob fetches two young goats which she uses to prepare the favorite dish that Isaac loved. Interestingly she was so adept as a cook that she cooks the goats as it it was venison which was Isaac’s favorite dish. She put on Jacob the good garments belonging to Esau and then she put the skins of the young goats on Jacob’s hands and neck to make him hirsute as Esau. She gives the savory meat and the bread to Jacob, who brings it to his father Isaac. When Jacob comes to his father, he addresses Isaac as “My father” but Isaac recognizing that he did not sound like Esau, questions him as to who he is. Jacob lies that he is Esau and that he did what Isaac had asked him to do, which was to hunt game and bring him venison. When Isaac questions again as to how he had returned so quickly from his hunt, Jacob even lies by bringing the Lord God in the picture, saying that the Lord God brought the game (deer) to him. Still not convinced, Isaac, asks Jacob to come close so that he could feel him and determine if he was being deceived. Upon feeling Jacob, Isaac exclaimed that the voice is that of Jacob, but the hands are that of Esau. Then Isaac questions Jacob, one more time if Jacob was indeed his firstborn son Esau and Jacob lies again. Isaac then summons Jacob to bring him his venison and after he had eaten and drunk the wine presented, he asks Jacob to come close to him and kiss him and when Jacob gives him the kiss (of betrayal), Isaac smells the smell of the Esau garment on Jacob and is now convinced (completely fooled and tricked) into thinking that Jacob was Esau and blesses him.

Isaac’s eyesight (sense of sight) was failing and he was turning blind, so much so he could not see (27:1).
Isaac’s ears (sense of hearing) was not quite as bad for he discern the difference between the voices of his sons (27:22).
Isaac’s hands (sense of touch) was unable to discern between goat hair and a his son Esau’s hair (27:23).
Isaac’s tongue (sense of taste) was unable to discern between goat meat and venison (27:14, 25).
Isaac’s nose (sense of smell) was unable to discern the smell of Jacob masked under the smell of Esau’s garments (27:27).

First of all Isaac should not have attempted to change God’s plan and bless Esau instead of Jacob for the Lord God had promised Rebekah that the elder shall serve the younger. In the deception of Isaac, all of his five senses failed him and he was deceived. Isaac should have instead depended on God and trusted in the inner sense, the prompting of the Holy Spirit of God to guide him.

Points to ponder:
Many of the times, we rely so much on our five God given senses and they are subject to fail in doing what they are supposed to do. What we ought to rely on is on the Holy Spirit of God, who indwells in all who believe in Jesus and who will guide us into all truth (John 16:13) and not let us be tricked by the ancient deceiver, the devil (Revelation 12:9). Are you being guided by your senses or by the Holy Spirit of God?

Genesis 27:14-27 (KJV)
14 And he went, and fetched, and brought them to his mother: and his mother made savoury meat, such as his father loved.
15 And Rebekah took goodly raiment of her eldest son Esau, which were with her in the house, and put them upon Jacob her younger son:
16 And she put the skins of the kids of the goats upon his hands, and upon the smooth of his neck:
17 And she gave the savoury meat and the bread, which she had prepared, into the hand of her son Jacob.
18 And he came unto his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I; who art thou, my son?
19 And Jacob said unto his father, I am Esau thy first born; I have done according as thou badest me: arise, I pray thee, sit and eat of my venison, that thy soul may bless me.
20 And Isaac said unto his son, How is it that thou hast found it so quickly, my son? And he said, Because the Lord thy God brought it to me.
21 And Isaac said unto Jacob, Come near, I pray thee, that I may feel thee, my son, whether thou be my very son Esau or not.
22 And Jacob went near unto Isaac his father; and he felt him, and said, The voice is Jacob’s voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau.
23 And he discerned him not, because his hands were hairy, as his brother Esau’s hands: so he blessed him.
24 And he said, Art thou my very son Esau? And he said, I am.
25 And he said, Bring it near to me, and I will eat of my son’s venison, that my soul may bless thee. And he brought it near to him, and he did eat: and he brought him wine and he drank.
26 And his father Isaac said unto him, Come near now, and kiss me, my son.
27 And he came near, and kissed him: and he smelled the smell of his raiment, and blessed him, and said, See, the smell of my son is as the smell of a field which theLord hath blessed:

Upon me be thy curse

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On May 9, 2016

In Christian

As Rebekah deceitfully schemed to trick her husband, Isaac into blessing her favorite son, Jacob, her son realized that what his mother was asking him to do, could land him in a lot of trouble, should Isaac figure out their deceitfulness. He expresses to Rebekah that if his father detects that he is not Esau and is robbing Esau of his blessings as the firstborn son of Isaac, Isaac would curse him instead of blessing him. To this Rebecca responds by saying foolishly, “Upon me be thy curse, my son” urging him to play along in her scheme.

This mother-son scheme leads to discord and separation of Jacob and Esau, for Esau in his anger of being robbed of his blessings expresses that he would kill Jacob. Overhearing this, Rebekah sends Jacob away to her brother’s place and we learn that this was the last time she sees her favorite son, Jacob. She dies when Jacob is away and we can extrapolate that upon her was the curse laid, of being separated from her son for the rest of her life.

Points to ponder:
It is important to recognize that our actions, especially those of deceit, have serious consequences. We may be able to trick men and women, but we cannot trick the omniscient God over all. Though it was God’s plan for the elder Esau to serve the younger Jacob, Rebekah’s actions are not justifiable.

Taking a different perspective – Jesus willingly laid down his life for all of mankind (John 10:18). Jesus was a made a curse for us so that we could become the righteousness of God and not be separated from him (Galatians 3:13). Taking these facts into account, in a sense, you could say that when man was cursed (for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God), Jesus stepped in and said “Upon me be thy curse.”  Jesus Christ became a curse for you and me so that we will not be separated from the love of God, for the rest of this life and the life to come.

Genesis 27:11-13 (KJV)
11 And Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, Behold, Esau my brother is a hairy man, and I am a smooth man:
12 My father peradventure will feel me, and I shall seem to him as a deceiver; and I shall bring a curse upon me, and not a blessing.
13 And his mother said unto him, Upon me be thy curse, my son: only obey my voice, and go fetch me them.

Directing God, really?

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On May 6, 2016

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 27:5-10 gives the account of how Rebekah sought to have her younger son Jacob, blessed by her husband Isaac. When Isaac sought to bless Esau, his firstborn, instead of allowing God’s plan to work in the life of his family, for God had said that the younger, Jacob, would rule over the elder (Genesis 25:23), Rebekah eavesdrops on that conversation. When Esau goes out to hunt for venison as his father desired, Rebekah goes her younger son, Jacob and hatches out a plan to deceive Isaac into giving his blessings to Jacob. She in fact commands her son Jacob to obey her (verse 8) into deceiving his father, Isaac.

While on the surface it may seem like Rebekah was in fact working in accordance with God’s plan of how the elder would serve the younger, we must be careful to note from this account, certain minefields that we ought to avoid.
First, Rebekah has to resort to eavesdropping into Isaac and Esau’s conversation (verse 6). When families (especially parents), don’t communicate with one another and show not out of good conversation, with meekness of wisdom, their works, they resort to earthly, sensual and devilish wisdom (James 3:13, 15).
Second, while on the onset it may seem like Rebekah was trying to help God in his plan, the end does not justify the means, for it brings discord between her sons, and not peace (James 3:18). Instead of directing God’s plan, she should have been dependent on God for him to bring to pass his word. She obviously should have known of the consequences of hurrying God’s matters up as her father-in-law, Abraham, tried to take charge of God’s plan and that results in the birth of Ishmael and not the promised child, Isaac, her husband, leading again to discord between the children of Abraham.

Points to ponder:
Let us be careful to learn from this account that we must first communicate with meekness of wisdom, God’s plan in our lives, especially  with our loved ones (family) and not resort to worldly wisdom that is sensual and devilish. We must also be extra careful to not take charge of doing God’s work, our way, but instead depend on God to fulfill his word, according to his word. In other words, we must stop trying to direct God of his work, whether it is at church or it is at home.

Are you directing God or are you dependent on him?

Genesis 27:5-10 (KJV)
5 And Rebekah heard when Isaac spake to Esau his son. And Esau went to the field to hunt for venison, and to bring it.
6 And Rebekah spake unto Jacob her son, saying, Behold, I heard thy father speak unto Esau thy brother, saying,
7 Bring me venison, and make me savoury meat, that I may eat, and bless thee before the Lord before my death.
8 Now therefore, my son, obey my voice according to that which I command thee.
9 Go now to the flock, and fetch me from thence two good kids of the goats; and I will make them savoury meat for thy father, such as he loveth:
10 And thou shalt bring it to thy father, that he may eat, and that he may bless thee before his death.

James 3:13-16 (KJV)
13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

Isaac was (truly) blind

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On May 5, 2016

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 27 gives us the account of the tale of two brothers – Jacob and Esau and how Jacob the supplanter, aided by his mother Rebekah, steals away not only the birthright of Esau, the firstborn son of Isaac and Rebekah, but also his blessings. This account starts out by stating that when Isaac was old and his eyes were dim, he could not see and at that time he called Esau his eldest son and told Esau “I am old and don’t know the day I would died, so make me my favorite dish of venison that you hunt and when I am satisfied after eating it, I will bless you before I die.”

First this account shows that Isaac was playing favorites between his children (Genesis 25:28) and despite his physical blindness, he was turning a blind eye to the fact that Esau his firstborn who had rights as his firstborn, had despised that birthright that entitled him to a double portion of his father’s blessings. Second, Isaac, turned a blind eye to the fact that Esau had married two Hittite women and that the blessings of God if given to Esau would not stay with God’s people as was covenanted with Abraham. Third, we also notice that Isaac took matters his his own hands and did not see that the God of his ancestors, who breathed life in man formed from dust, could keep him alive as long as God intended and instead of relying on God, predicted that he was going to die. Fourth, we can see that instead of hungering for the spiritual issues of life for his children as did his father for him by making sure that he did not take a worldly ungodly wife, Isaac focuses on meager venison to satisfy his physical hunger, in his old age. Fifth and most importantly, Isaac willfully chose to go against God’s plan, and turn a blind eye to God’s word given to Rebekah, that it would be the elder (Esau) who would serve the younger (Jacob) (Genesis 25:23). So in five instances, we can clearly see that though Isaac was blind physically, he was truly blind spiritually.

Isaac did not see that the one who despises their birthright is not entitled to the father’s blessings and that God does not show favoritism (Romans 2:11).
Isaac did not see that the one who marries into the world systems (pagan wives) loses the privilege of being blessed as the one who follows God.
Isaac did not see that God is Sovereign and controls one’s lifespan.
Isaac did not see that satisfying his spiritual needs was more important that gratifying the fleshly hunger.
Isaac did not see that God’s word and plan would always come to pass and that he could not change what God intends and wills by hurrying things up.
Isaac was truly blind for he was blind spiritually.

Points to ponder:
What is noteworthy is that Isaac who was willing to be offered as a sacrifice in his younger days, who willingly waited for a godly wife from his own people, who was assured of God’s blessings, in his latter years, shows a decline in his faith. May this be a warning to each one of us, that we just don’t start well, but we end well as well and as Apostle Paul declared, may we be able to say at life’s end – I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith (2 Timothy 4:7).

Let us not turn a blind eye and :

  • despise our right as children of God that we are granted when we believe and accept Jesus (John 1:12)
  • be married to the worldly views and systems but let us focus on being the bride of Christ, submitting to him alone (James 4:4; Ephesians 5:22,23; 2 Corinthians 11:2)
  • fail to recognize the Sovereignty of God over our lives, and in his hand is the breath of all mankind (Job 12:10)
  • gratifying our fleshly lusts and physical hungers instead of satisfying the Spirit of God
    and
  • take matters into our own hands, trying to circumvent and willfully go against God’s plan for our lives, but like Jesus did, let us willfully accept God’s will be done in our lives (Luke 22:42).

Let us not be truly blind.

Genesis 27:1-4 (KJV)
1 And it came to pass, that when Isaac was old, and his eyes were dim, so that he could not see, he called Esau his eldest son, and said unto him, My son: and he said unto him, Behold, here am I.
2 And he said, Behold now, I am old, I know not the day of my death:
3 Now therefore take, I pray thee, thy weapons, thy quiver and thy bow, and go out to the field, and take me some venison;
4 And make me savoury meat, such as I love, and bring it to me, that I may eat; that my soul may bless thee before I die.

Displeasing Marriages

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On May 4, 2016

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 26 starts out with the
– deception of Isaac that nearly killed the lineage of the then king Abimelech (verses 1-11),
– discord over water rights between Isaac’s servants and the servants of Abimelech (verses 12-22),
– defense and declaration of God’s covenant with Isaac (verses 23-25),
– deal of peace between Isaac and Abimelech (verses 26-33)
and finally ends with the
– displeasing marriages of Esau, Isaac’s firstborn son (verses 34-35).

The Bible accounts that Esau was forty years old when he married not one but two Hittite wives – Judith the daughter of Beeri and Bashemath the daughter of Elon and these pagan women made the life of Isaac and his wife Rebekah, miserable. These daughters-in-law were a grief of mind to Isaac and Rebekah. Esau marriages were displeasing.

Points to ponder:
Before we go about condemning Esau for his foolish marriages of worldly (not godly) wives, let us take a moment to introspect ourselves. Many a times, we would find ourselves getting married to the things of this world (be it power, position, prosperity, or pleasure). Our marriages to the worldly things brings displeasure to God and so we ought to divorce ourselves from the things of this ephemeral world and keep ourselves chaste (by the power of the Holy Spirit of God) and look forward to the wedding of the Lamb of God as the bride of Christ (Revelation 19).

What are the things of this world that you are married to that you ought to divorce so that you dont grieve the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30) and displease God? (2 Samuel 11:27). Answer that question and act on it, today.

Genesis 26:34-35 (KJV)
34 And Esau was forty years old when he took to wife Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Bashemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite:
35 Which were a grief of mind unto Isaac and to Rebekah.

Finding (living) Water

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On May 3, 2016

In Christian, Genesis, Through the Bible

Genesis 26:32-33 records that on the same day that Isaac had made a peace treaty with Abimelech, the king of Gerar, his servants came to him and told him regarding the well they had dug, that they had found water and Isaac called that well Shebah (and hence the name of the city where he had moved to is Beersheba). Shebah means an oath in Hebrew.

What is important to note is that it is to Beersheba that Abraham first brings Isaac after the sacrifice on Mount Moriah (Genesis 22:19) and dwelt there. It is in Beersheba that Abraham makes an oath of peace with Abimelech, the then king of Gerar (Genesis 21:22-34). Why is Beersheba important? Because it was a step in the direction of the promised land that God had promised Abraham.

The contention over the wells of Abraham, namely Esek and Sitnah, by the herdsmen of Gerar made Isaac retreat to a place of no contention as he names the well that he dug there Rehoboth (Genesis 26:20-22). To Abraham and Isaac, the wells were a sign of God’s provisions while to the philistines and the men of Gerar, it was a sign of property which made them fill/stop the wells that Abraham had dug (Genesis 26:17) and fight over the one that Isaac had dug (Genesis 26:19). The contention that ensues, can be seen, in hindsight, as God nudging Isaac to move toward the promised land.

However, what is noteworthy is that Isaac does not stay where the well Rehoboth was (even though there was no contention there), but instead moves to Beersheba (possibly because he trusted in God as did his father, looking forward toward a city whose builder and maker was God himself (Hebrews 11:10)), and on that same night, the Lord appears and assures Isaac of his covenant with his father, Abraham. Isaac responds by building an altar first, and worshipping the Lord God before pitching his tent there and digging a well there. (Genesis 26:25). After the peace treaty amongst whom he deemed were his enemies (who hated him), his servants report of finding water (Genesis 26:32).

Points to ponder:
While the digging of the well indicates that one intends to live in that land and use the water to sustain his family and flocks, we see here that Isaac did not dig the well, first to find water, before pitching his tent and building an altar to worship God. In fact, that order was reversed.  He gave God the priority over his and his family and flock’s physical needs. He built the altar first, worshipped God and then pitched his tent and dug the well, and God enables him to find water in that well.

This resonates with the very model Jesus laid out for us – that we ought to seek the spiritual things first (God’s kingdom) and all the things that are needed to sustain us shall be added unto us (Matthew 6:33). In other words, in order to find water that sustains us physically, we ought to seek first the living Water that saves us spiritually, i.e., seek the living water that only Jesus can provide – the water that bring not just sustenance of life, but salvation to life aka eternal life (John 4:10-15). Have you found (living) Water? i.e., have you believed in Jesus’ Lordship and saving grace?

Genesis 26:32-33 (KJV)
32 And it came to pass the same day, that Isaac’s servants came, and told him concerning the well which they had digged, and said unto him, We have found water.
33 And he called it Shebah: therefore the name of the city is Beersheba unto this day.

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