Scripture Focus (Genesis 26:18-25) – “And Isaac dug again the wells of water that had been dug in the days of Abraham his father, which the Philistines had stopped after the death of Abraham. And he gave them the names that his father had given them. [19] But when Isaac’s servants dug in the valley and found there a well of spring water, [20] the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with Isaac’s herdsmen, saying, “The water is ours.” So he called the name of the well Esek, because they contended with him. [21] Then they dug another well, and they quarreled over that also, so he called its name Sitnah. [22] And he moved from there and dug another well, and they did not quarrel over it. So he called its name Rehoboth, saying, “For now the LORD has made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land.” [23] From there he went up to Beersheba. [24] And the LORD appeared to him the same night and said, “I am the God of Abraham your father. Fear not, for I am with you and will bless you and multiply your offspring for my servant Abraham’s sake.” [25] So he built an altar there and called upon the name of the LORD and pitched his tent there. And there Isaac’s servants dug a well.”
I. Hard Work and Long Fights (19-22)
A. Isaac’s reward of refreshment (19) – “But when Isaac’s servants dug in the valley and found there a well of spring water…”
B. Isaac’s fight over territory (20-21) – “…the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with Isaac’s herdsmen, saying, “The water is ours.” So he called the name of the well Esek, because they contended with him. Then they dug another well, and they quarreled over that also, so he called its name Sitnah.”
C. Isaac’s refusal to quit (22) – “And he moved from there and dug another well, and they did not quarrel over it. So he called its name Rehoboth, saying, “For now the LORD has made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land.”
II. Powerful Encounter and Spiritual Breakthrough (23-25)
A. His first encounter with God (23-24) – “From there he went up to Beersheba. (24) And the LORD appeared to him the same night and said, “I am the God of Abraham your father. Fear not, for I am with you and will bless you and multiply your offspring for my servant Abraham’s sake.”
B. His instinct to worship and praise (25a) – “So he built an altar there and called upon the name of the LORD and pitched his tent there.”
C. His continuance in faith and hard work (25b) – “And there Isaac’s servants dug a well.”