Good Morning.
And he moved from there and dug another well, and they did not quarrel over it. So he called its name Rehoboth, because he said, “For now the Lord has made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land.” (Genesis 26:22)
In reading this account it becomes obvious that Isaac was not one to quarrel and fight — he avoided contention, it would seem, if at all possible. After Abraham’s death, the Philistines filled in the wells he had dug. Isaac uncovered them, consequently provoking the Philistines to anger and jealousy so he moved on. He dug two other wells which the herdsmen of Gerar contended provided water that belonged to them, so he moved on. For whatever reason, Isaac didn’t feel it was necessary to squabble over the water these wells provided and which his flocks desperately needed.
Some might view this as a weakness — an unwillingness to defend yourself against a bully. Others might see this as someone who places a premium on keeping the peace with your neighbors. Perhaps it’s as simple as this: Isaac was one to choose his battles carefully, considering it wise to find another path forward rather than risking great loss over something that could be obtained elsewhere. In other words, just because you have a right to do or say something to those who are in the wrong doesn’t always mean it’s the right thing to do or say at that particular time.
Let’s also consider the possibility that God used the friction between Isaac and the herdsmen of Gerar to move Isaac to the place he was supposed to be all along. There have been times in my life when people didn’t do the right thing by me or my family and I wanted to retaliate but, instead, I moved on. Looking back on some of those situations I can honestly say that God used the friction between us to position me where He wanted me to be.
In the end, just as it was with Abraham, the Philistines and the inhabitants of Gerar came to Isaac to sue for peace because, as they admitted, God was with him. Where conflict between God’s people and the those of the world is concerned, our behavior should please the Almighty and not necessarily ourselves. If we please Him then He will bless and prosper us to the point that those we have been at odds with will come to see that God is with us. When the world recognizes that God is with us, they must also recognize that He is God. In short, the good fruit we produce brings glory and honor to our Father which is how it should be.
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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