The Tribune

By YASMIN HANNA

DURING a particular period, Isaac resided in Gerar (a Philistine town) with his wife Rebekah. There was a famine in the land, besides the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went to Abimelech king of the Philistines, in Gerar. Then the Lord appeared to him and said: “Do not go down to Egypt; live in the land of which I shall tell you. Dwell in this land, and I will be with you and bless you; for to you and your descendants I give all these lands, and I will perform the oath which I swore to Abraham your father.” (Genesis 26:1-3 NKJV)

Isaac obeyed God and dwelled in Gerar. Then Isaac sowed in that land, and reaped in the same year a hundredfold; and the Lord blessed him. The man began to prosper, and continued prospering until he became very prosperous; for he had possessions of flocks and possessions of herds and a great number of servants. So the Philistines envied him. (Genesis 26-12-14 NKJV)

Isaac became so prosperous that Abimelech, the king of the Philistines, said to Isaac, “Go away from us, for you are much mightier than we.” (Genesis 26:16 NKJV)

Although he was residing in a land experiencing famine, Isaac was still flourishing and the favour of God was on his life. Then Isaac departed from there and pitched his tent in the Valley of Gerar, and dwelt there. And Isaac dug again the wells of water which they had dug in the days of Abraham, his father, for the Philistines had stopped them up after the death of Abraham. He called them by the names which his father had called them. (Genesis 26:17-18 NKJV)

Isaac’s servants dug in the valley and found a well of running water there, but the herdsmen of Gerar bickered with Isaac’s servants and said that the water was theirs. Therefore, Isaac named the well Esek, which means contention. Afterwards, Isaac’s servants dug another well and the herdsmen of Gerar bickered over that one as well, so Isaac called the well Sitnah, which means hostility or hatred.

Then, 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.” Then he went up from there to Beersheba and 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 my servant Abraham’s sake.” (Genesis 26:22-24 NKJV)

When God is with you, He will make sure that wherever you dig, there will be a well of running water. Even if your enemies want to quarrel over it and say that it is theirs, you are able to move to another location, dig again and there will still be a well of running water. Before you know it, you will dig a “Rehoboth well”. It will be filled with water, and it signifies the fruitfulness and open space that God has specifically designated just for you. You won’t have to quarrel over it.

God’s favour and protection will always keep you when a season of drought and famine is ensuing. Even though you might have experienced financial hardship, emotional or physical pain and wondered if the overwhelming stress and privation would eventually come to an end, God’s provision for your life will cause you to experience favour in the midst of the famine.