Room to Grow

Reading from Toldot:
Genesis 26:13:29

This reading continues the story of Isaac's sojourn in Gerar, the land of King Abimelech and the Philistines. True to His word, G-d begins to bless Isaac and soon the local people become envious of him and feel threatened. During his journey through this land years before, Isaac's father Abraham had dug several wells. Wells noted an intention to stay in the area and, according to The Bible Background Commentary, were tangible evidence of divine blessing. The Philistines, possibly seeking to reassert ownership of the land, filled these wells with dirt. Despite this, Isaac becomes so prosperous and powerful that Abimelech tells him to leave (Gen. 26:16).

Isaac promptly leaves and he and his entourage settle down in the valley, where he begins digging wells of his own. Isaac's servants strike a plentiful water source in the first well they dig, but the locals argue that the well is theirs. Thus, Isaac names the well "Esek" or "contention" because the local people contended with him. By naming the well, Isaac asserts ownership over the well, according to the IVP Bible Background Commentary. Yet instead of continuing to fight over the well, Isaac lets the local shepherds have it and digs another one. This well, too, becomes a source of argument, so Isaac names it "Sitnah" or "enmity" and moves on.

Finally Isaac digs a well that no one tries to claim from him. He names this well "Rehoboth" meaning "broad places" or "room." Genesis 26:22 explains why:

22 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, and
we will be fruitful in the land.”

Two things are important to note in this story. First, although G-d blesses Isaac, He doesn't take away all his problems. Isaac still has to contend with jealousy and strife on the part of the local people. Isaac, for his part, takes this in stride. This leads us to the second important point. While Isaac knows the wells are his - even going to the point of naming the wells, asserting his ownership - Isaac does not fight with the local people over the wells. Whenever they contend with him over a well, he moves on, trusting his G-d to provide. Isaac's trust allows G-d to shape and build Isaac's character through adversity.

In the end, G-d rewards Isaac's trust by providing an uncontested well, and by reassuring him in verse 24:

24 The LORD appeared to him the same night and said,
“I am the God of your father Abraham;
Do not fear, for I am with you.
I will bless you, and multiply your descendants,
For the sake of My servant Abraham.”

This blessing is further confirmed in verses 26-29, when Abimelech comes to Isaac to ask for a formal peace treaty between Isaac's clan and Abimelech's people.

My prayer today is that I would not be discouraged and give up when things don't come easily. May I trust G-d and persevere, knowing that all good things come with a price.


New American Standard Bible : 1995 update. 1995 (Ge 26:24). LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

New American Standard Bible : 1995 update. 1995 (Ge 26:22). LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.