Today’s Reading: Genesis 21 & 26; Psalm 34; 1 Peter 3:8-22

After the treaty had been made at Beersheba, Abimelek and Phicol the commander of his forces returned to the land of the Philistines. Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and there he called on the name of the Lord, the Eternal God. And Abraham stayed in the land of the Philistines for a long time. — Genesis 21:32-34

When we think of the Philistines, we think of them as being enemies of the Hebrews, but their first appearance in the Bible shows an effort to coexist in peace. As we studied last week, King Abimelek reached out to make a covenant agreement with Abraham — a reciprocal relationship of integrity and peace between Abraham’s family and the Philistines. There had been a conflict over a well that Abraham’s servants had dug, but the two men stood before each other and peacefully resolved the conflict, creating clarity in order to ensure future understanding of who the well belonged to.

In chapter 26 of Genesis, we see history repeating itself. Just like Abraham had deceived King Abimelek into believing Sarah was his sister and not his wife, Isaac was deceiving King Abimelech regarding his wife, Rebekah. And in the same way that conflict arose over the possession of a well in chapter 21, conflict again caused unrest between the Philistines and Abraham’s descendants in chapter 26.

When Isaac planted his crops that year, he harvested a hundred times more grain than he planted, for the Lord blessed him. He became a very rich man, and his wealth continued to grow. He acquired so many flocks of sheep and goats, herds of cattle, and servants that the Philistines became jealous of him. So the Philistines filled up all of Isaac’s wells with dirt. These were the wells that had been dug by the servants of his father, Abraham. — Genesis 26:12-15

How do we respond when others try to pick a fight with us? When King Abimelech saw the trouble that was brewing, he asked Isaac to take his family and leave the country. He saw how powerful the Hebrews had become and he wanted to avoid the battle that was looming ahead.

CREATING DISTANCE IN ORDER TO AVOID CONFLICT

So Isaac packed up his family and moved to the Gerar Valley, where he had spent his childhood. His servants opened up the wells his father, Abraham, had dug, which the Philistines had filled. With the faith of his father, Isaac renamed the wells according to the names Abraham had given them.

Isaac’s servants also dug in the Gerar Valley and discovered a well of fresh water. But then the shepherds from Gerar came and claimed the spring. “This is our water,” they said, and they argued over it with Isaac’s herdsmen. So Isaac named the well Esek (which means “argument”). — Genesis 26:19-20

Do you ever feel like trouble follows you? I imagine this is how Isaac was feeling by now. He had moved his family, his servants and his possessions to a new area in order to avoid the trouble that was brewing, and here he was facing a new group that wanted to pick a fight.

To avoid an ARGUMENT, Isaac walked away and went on to dig a new well. But soon the bullies were back and disputing the ownership of the well, so Isaac named the well Sitnah, which means hostility. To circumvent HOSTILITY, Isaac moved on and dug a new well. Thankfully trouble did not follow him this time, so Isaac named the well Rehoboth, which means open space.

CREATING OPEN SPACE IN ORDER TO RESTORE PEACE

Isaac gave God the glory for the OPEN SPACE He was providing. He was grateful to find a place to call home, despite those who were trying to make life difficult for him and his family. God was giving him a season of peace in which to rest after a season of running from conflict.

One day King Abimelech came from Gerar with his adviser, Ahuzzath, and also Phicol, his army commander… “We can plainly see that the Lord is with you. So we want to enter into a sworn treaty with you. Let’s make a covenant. Swear that you will not harm us, just as we have never troubled you. We have always treated you well, and we sent you away from us in peace. And now look how the Lord has blessed you!” — Genesis 26:26-29

Isaac could have argued with the king about how he had been unfairly treated; he could have built a case around the injustice and bullying he had experienced. But instead, Isaac prepared a covenant feast to share with the king, and they ate and drank with each other. They promised not to interfere with each other, which resulted in the king and his people leaving in peace.

CREATING A TABLE FOR RESTORATION AND FELLOWSHIP

Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing. — 1 Peter 3:8-9

Father God, help me to remember this example in Isaac’s life when others try to pick a fight with me. Lord, I give to you those who have the desire to bully and those who have the tendency to argue. Give me the strength to walk away from conflict, and to trust you to create OPEN SPACE between me and others — a space where nothing stands between me and another person. I pray this morning for the day when I will feast in peace with those who have hurt me; I pray for the day when I will live in harmony with those I have forgiven or who have forgiven me. May your goodness and unfailing love follow me all the days of my life. Amen.

Does anyone want to live a life
that is long and prosperous?
Then keep your tongue from speaking evil
and your lips from telling lies!
Turn away from evil and do good.
Search for peace, and work to maintain it. – Psalm 34:12-14