Abraham was a man of the altar, Jacob of tents but Isaac of wells. “Now Isaac came from the way of Beer Lahai Roi, for he dwelt in the South.”[Genesis 24:62] Abraham made a point of living in sacrifice. Jacob held things lightly, ready to move (from his brother), whereas Isaac valued the need for continually drawing life-giving water. After his resurrection from the altar of offering (Genesis 22) where God became “The God who is there” Isaac dwelt by the well of Beer Lahai-Roi. Whenever there is a cross there is a well of spring water to follow.
Jesus went through Calvary to Pentecost.
Beer Lahai-Roi was an in-between place – Kadesh and Bered. No matter where we are in the no man’s land of uncertainty, providing there is a well, all will be well. There are several people reading this who face uncertainty, and are experiencing a life in the middle lands of nothingness. The twilight of uncertainty is made allowable by the fresh water of promise. Learn to live by wells, they will refresh in the dust storms of life. Recognise the seasons and plan for the future. When the river runs in flood dig a well and wait.
Isaac leftBeer Lahai-Roi and moved to Gerar because there was a famine. God appeared to him and promised to bless him there. It is essential that we have godly revelation to guide us in our journeying and our sojourning. Life should be based on divine disclosure.It cannot be otherwise. Isaac knew that his father Abraham had dug wells in that land, and as he moved he assumed that there would be a supply in the famine. The wells of his father speak of past water holes of promise. Each church generation has opened wells, so that those following can refresh themselves.
Always ensure that you get divine revelation in life, there can be no greater under-girding to our peace. Often when I return from some glorious holiday spot and approach London and witness the traffic congestion, crowded streets, high level of pollution and exalted house prices I grumble at the prospect of such an environment, but the call of God transforms the grot into the glory. God speaks and we receive divine revelation. We now have a well in Harrow. By God’s grace it has been and those who come next will be blest by that artisan supply.
We can face anything if we know that God is pleased with our decision. “Then the LORD appeared to him and said: “Do not go down to Egypt; live in the land of which I shall tell you.”[Genesis 26:2] The thought of going to Egypt had obviously crossed Isaac’s mind, or else God would not have commanded him not to. Egypt is a symbol of Israel’s captivity and constant allurement, yet a source of continual temptation. It typifies the teaching of Israel’s determination to cling to the old and familiar rather than walk with God in the invisible realms of prospect. God’s unknown will always be better than the world’s immediate satisfaction. Abraham went there in a famine, and finished up with a bad testimony. [Genesis 12:10ff.] Once we are in Egypt we can sacrifice our integrity and compromise truth. We either deceive ourselves or others, or both.
It is only grace that keeps us, and grace is unmerited favour. King Abimelech rewarded him for his lack of integrity and he entered a new phase of his life, a life of prosperity. Grace has as its foundation that which allows and encourages us to build a greater trust and a deeper faith. When God enters and grace follows we are humbled into service, because we don’t deserve his mercy.
There may be times when we may not have acted with integrity but He blesses us anyhow. God is always the first to initiate reconciliation and rewards us when we don’t deserve it. What he did at salvation he continues in life. This does not mean we should walk in sin to challenge God to extend mercy, but if we do fall into error, He is swift to reconcile.
