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The good side of Isaac

Isaac was a non-confrontationist. 

The Philistines often provoked Isaac’s men and treated them unfairly. After Isaac dug out a well, they moved in and claimed it as their own. Instead of fighting or demanding that his rights be satisfied, Isaac wisely saw a simpler and more peaceful course. He just moved away and dug out another well. This happened twice and both times he let it go. Isaac avoided conflict and moved again and again building wells. This shows us that he was a peace loving individual and did not want to have any confrontations.

At first glance, we might be tempted to think that Isaac was being a little bit of a coward here. It is easy to think that perhaps he should have fought back a little bit. But we see that this attitude ensured that he  makes it all the way through this chapter without ever being physically attacked. Yes, it must have been tense, there might have been some hurt feelings, there was certainly a lot of work involved, but Isaac trusted the Lord to provide, and so he just kept on moving.

God had promised Isaac that he will be blessed and that he will flourish in Gerar. So he held on to the promise and overcame all the herdsmen who tried to block his blessing by either closing the wells or chasing Isaac from that place. Isaac pressed on. 

The Bible tells us in Genesis 26:22 that he dug yet another well, and for this "they strove not" and he called it Rehoboth, meaning "make room". Isaac recognised the hand of God in these experiences and, with renewed confidence said, "For now the Lord hath made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land". The Lord had guided him graciously through the trials of strife and hate and now Isaac found rest and room for family, servants, tents and cattle. 

Later he moved back to Beersheba, where "the Lord appeared unto him the same night" and renewed the covenant blessings and reassured him. There Isaac's people dug another well (26:32). This marked the peak of Isaac's faith for "he built an altar (the only one) there, and called upon the name of the Lord, and pitched his tent there: and there Isaac's servants digged a well". He called the well Sheba meaning the "oath" (vv.24-25, 33). Here he settled, completely satisfied as a priest and a pilgrim, resting on the promises of God; "godliness with contentment is great gain" (1 Tim 6.6).

How was Isaac able to maintain his cool and continue to trust God in the midst of opposition? We find in Gen 24:62 that when he goes out to meet his coming bride, he comes "from the way of the well La-hai-Roi", meaning "Him that liveth and seeth me". 

Isaac was living in the assurance that God lives and sees. Do we live near this deep well conscious of the "ever living and all seeing God"? It is this that will sustain us in the pressures of life.

Quote: "The reality is, my prayers don't change God.  But, I am convinced prayer changes me.  Praying boldly boots me out of that stale place of religious habit into authentic connection with God Himself." - Lysa TerKeurst

Prayer: Lord, help me never to forget that You are a God who sees and as a result help me to trust in You and draw my strength from You to face the pressures of life. Amen