Read Gen. 26:23-33
Beer-sheba seems to be a portal between heaven, earth, and the grave. It has wells, burying grounds, and is the place the patriarchs visit often. Many have encounters with God there as Isaac did in today’s reading. This is the first time we see God speaking the promise of Abraham to Isaac. Isaac not only built a well there but he also built an altar to God. While he was staying there, his old friend, Abimelech came to pay him a visit. Remember, it was Abimelech that told Isaac to leave because he was becoming too powerful and Abimelech was afraid he would try to take over his kingdom. He brings with him a friend and the captain of his army. His friends name means “possession” because they were coming back to possess the peace and blessing that Isaac had. He brought the chief captain of his army whose name means “mouth of all”. The captain was speaking for his whole army. He wanted to know why they were looking for him since they had kicked him out. They responded that they realized the blessing of God was on Isaac and they wanted to make a covenant with him of peace. In other words, they feared the God they saw in Isaac and didn’t want to offend him. God later told the Israelites that they could make peace with anyone who asked for peace except for the Amonites and the Moabites. He told them they were never to seek peace with these people. (Duet. 20:11-12; 23:5-6). Isaac had a feast for them and sent them away in peace. God blessed Isaac for making peace and forgiving Abimelech and they found water in the well. He named the well Sheba which means 7th. This must have been the 7th well they had dug looking for water and this one produced! Now they had “living water” to drink.
Lord, thank you for showing us today that your blessings follow obedience and kindness. May our lives speak of you so that others will want to make peace with our God.
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