DON’T PUT DIRT IN ANOTHER MAN’S WELL Genesis 26:18 And Isaac digged again the wells of water, which they had digged in the days of Abraham his father; for the Philistines had stopped them after the death of Abraham: and he called their names after the names by which his father had called them. All the spiritual water and inspiration we need does not need to come from what we dig out of the Word of God but it can come from what a previous generation has walked in. There is often conflict around these spiritual wells of truth as well as modern day Philistines who want to put dirt in our spiritual wells. We can see a parallel to this in the digging of natural wells. In Genesis 26:18 – 33 we see the story of Isaac with his servants re-digging the wells of his father Abraham. When Isaac became so wealthy and increased from the blessing of the Lord so that it threatened the Philistines they forced him out of that land. In the days of Abraham THE PHILISTINES FOR ENVY HAD FILLED THE WELLS OF ABRAHAM WITH DIRT. Isaac and his men searched for the wells his father had dug many years ago, began re-digging the wells, and named them by which his father Abraham had named them. 1. In the natural re-digging an old well was often preferred over digging a new well. A good well could last several thousand years and refresh many generations like Jacobs well provided water to the Samaritans of Jesus day. 2. To name a well marked the right of property to it but to destroy it denoted conquest or denial of right of property. 3. Wells provide water that refreshes and revive dying people who are thirsty. When Hagar fled into the desert of Beersheba with her son and about to die God directed her to see a well of fresh water. That drink saved her and her sons life Genesis 21:19. 4. Wells are communal in nature. All are free to come and receive of a wells refreshing life. 5. Wells were the source of life and determining factor for where and how any life could be sustained, any home could be chosen, or any city could be birthed. 6. Water from a well is transmittable and can be carried back to where we live. It is a tangible source of life that can go with us and can be shared with others. As Isaac’s men began to re-dig the wells they faced a series of battles and opposition over the wells. In Genesis 26:20 The herdman of Gerar (the dry valley) strove with them over it and Isaac called the well Esek - or CONTENTION. Wells are often contended for. We have to stand and fight the fight of faith for every revelation we receive from the wells of inspiration. In Genesis 26:21 They dug another well and they fought over that one also so Isaac called it Sittim - HATRED or ACCUSATION. In Genesis 26:22 They removed from these and dug another well and called it Rehoboth meaning ROOM FOR ALL, an open place, or spacious. The Lord made room for them to be fruitful. In Genesis 26:23, 25, 32 Isaacs servants dug another well and he named it Beersheba or GOOD FORTUNE. Isaacs servants got through the CONTENTION and HATRED/ACCUSATION and came to a place where there was “ROOM FOR ALL” and found GOOD FORTUNE. There are many lessons that can be drawn from the story about re-digging wells but part of our spiritual inheritance includes being able to acquire and drink from wells we have not dug for ourselves Deuteronomy 6:11. Our fathers in the faith paid an awesome price for the illumination from the Word and Spirit of God they received in their day. Some even had to earnestly contend for certain truths we take for granted. They gained the ground for our benefit as well as their own. Living by the Word of faith, the baptism of the Holy Ghost, the mighty gifts of the Spirit, healing, the authority of the Believer, and the prosperity that God’s blessing brings are all for our day. The spiritual wells of inspiration from the water of the Word that previous generations walked in are meant to bless us and yet church history is full of examples of conflict when those truths resurface and are re-emphasized. When strife and bickering over the re-digging of a well of inspiration erupts (or when conflict from when an old truth becomes a new truth to the next generation) the entire community suffers. Everyone misses the blessing it might provide. What was meant to bless and refresh all people becomes a perpetual reminder of ugly disagreement and disputes. Spiritual water from previous generations and revival wells is given by God to refresh and bless all people. Don’t be a Philistine and put dirt in a well someone has re-dug and is enjoying.
Posted on: Mon, 04 Nov 2013 12:00:39 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015