“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 quarreled over that also, so he called its name Sitnah**. And he moved from there and 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.’
“From there he went up to Beersheba. And the Lord appeared to him the same night and said, ‘I am the God of Abraham your father. Fear not, for I am with you and will bless you and multiply your offspring for my servant Abraham’s sake.’ So he built an altar there and called upon the name of the Lord and pitched his tent there. And there Isaac’s servants dug a well.” Genesis 26:17-25
*Contention; **Enmity; ***Broad places
“You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.” Leviticus 19:18
“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” Matthew 5:38-39
Isaac understood contention, having experienced it within his family among his parents, wife, and twin sons, and outside his family with others. Surely there had been lessons learned that his servants had observed. Each time the herdsmen from Gerar instigated quarreling, they moved on, trading contentious unrest for God’s space of blessing. Peace begat blessing begat worship. (Genesis 21:8-11; 25:21-23,28; 26:6-11)
While there are definite times to stand firm on principle and hold our ground, there are many times the Lord would have us walk away from contention and enmity for His broader blessing. In the flesh we push and assert our rights, want to prove ourselves and win. But Jesus took the humble road for the greater purpose, and bids us follow. (Philippians 2:3-8)
Where am I meddling in hostile, unhealthy places? What triggers to fiest and anger do I let perturb me? How do I pester and provoke in certain relationships or specific tempestuous situations? What would it take for me to turn in grace and leave the goading behind for Jesus’s sake? What well of blessing might the Lord break forth if I would release conflict and antagonism? What Rehoboth of gratitude and worship has the Lord prepared and bid me inhabit?
Father, help me always choose Your way of humility and trust, reflecting in conflict the peace and reconciliation You generously offer, and magnifying Your glory as of highest worth.
As the rain and snow 