Gen. 26: 17-29
Isaac moved to the valley of Gerar, and every time he would dig a new well, the Philistines would claim it as theirs. Isaac named one well Esek, which means “contention.” Later he dug another well and called it Sitnah, which means “hostility or enmity.” Wow! Thwarted at every turn – depressing. Two steps forward and three steps back. He wasn’t making any progress. Ever feel like that?
Isaac then journeyed just a bit farther. “And he moved away from there and dug another well, and they did not quarrel over it; so he named it Rehoboth, for he said, ‘At last the Lord has made room for us.’ ” Rehoboth means a place of enlargement and flourishing…..plenty of room.
It was right after this that the Lord said: “I am the God of your father Abraham; do not fear, for I am with you. I will bless you…..”
All of us can speak of countless barriers, drawbacks and complications in our lives. The contentious wells of Esek and Sitnah tend to throw dust in our face and keep us feeling like we are in a desert rather than provide any refreshing. The water is dried up. These are the places and times where we are most tempted to quit.
But now is the time to look for your Rehoboth – We must keep walking by faith, even when we feel trapped in the enemy’s territory. Put one foot in front of the other; climb up over the next hill; turn that next corner. Your Rehoboth is nearby!
Rehoboth means “broad place,” and it refers to the land of inheritance that only God can give and that the enemy cannot steal from you. Rehoboth reminds us of the place God brought King David when he announced in Psalm 18:19, “[The Lord] brought me forth also into a broad place; He rescued me, because He delighted in me.” Beloved, keep going! Do not camp at the wells of contention, because just down the road is your Rehoboth.
Pastor Sherry
