Wells supplied water, an essential resource to life. |
Stopped up wells. |
Isaac, his sheep and shepherds move to the Gerar Valley |
No problem, Isaac's men just dig another well, but again the other shepherds come and dispute over it. Isaac abandons that well too and his servants dig a third time. They strike water again, and this time there is no dispute. Isaac breaths a sigh of relief and names the place Rehoboth which means "room." The idea was that God had made room for him in the land.
Digging new wells. |
Things get even better though. God appears again to Isaac reaffirming his promise to bless him and increase his offspring. Finally, the King himself seeks out Isaac, and wonder of wonders, he apologizes to him and makes a covenant with him that they will not harm each other.
Lessons to be learned from this story?
- When Isaac encountered trouble, he did not "run" and go to Egypt where he could have lived because God commanded him not to (vs. 2). He stayed in the land and trusted God.
- Isaac did not demand his rights to the wells. He simply moved on and found more water. He was leaving matters in God's hands. God had told him to live in that land and he would give it to his descendants.
- Isaac was gentle rather than demanding. He simply moved on and dug another well.
- Isaac was patient. He had to dig wells three times until the disputes stopped.
- Isaac persevered. He did not give up, but kept digging new wells.
- Obey God (do as he instructs us)
- Obey God even when it is difficult
- Trust God instead of demanding things. Be gentle, not demanding. Proverbs says that a "soft answer" turns away, or diffuses someone's anger.
- Don't give up. Isaac kept digging wells until God made room for him in the land. Galatians 6:9 teaches this principle, "Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we don't give up." Likewise, 1 Corinthians 15:58 encapsulates this principle.
The DRAMA can be downloaded here.
If you want to print the signs for the wells, you can access them here.
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