”16 Then Abimelek said to Isaac, “Move away from us; you have become too powerful for us.”
Genesis 26:16-22New International Version (NIV)
17 So Isaac moved away from there and encamped in the Valley of Gerar, where he settled. 18 Isaac reopened the wells that had been dug in the time of his father Abraham, which the Philistines had stopped up after Abraham died, and he gave them the same names his father had given them. 19 Isaac’s servants dug in the valley and discovered a well of fresh water there. 20 But the herders of Gerar quarreled with those of Isaac and said, “The water is ours!” So he named the well Esek, because they disputed with him. 21 Then they dug another well, but they quarreled over that one also; so he named it Sitnah. 22 He moved on from there and dug another well, and no one quarreled over it. He named it Rehoboth, saying, “Now the Lord has given us room and we will flourish in the land.”
“D espite being promised an internship opportunity by a large engineering company, “We feel like your expertise will be valuable elsewhere”, is what a young engineer was told when he followed up on the same. I cannot fully comprehend the dashed expectations or questions or thoughts that this budding engineer was left with.
“Move away from us; you have become too powerful for us”, is what Abimelek said to Isaac.
If I was to be told such words, they would pierce my soul like a dagger. I would feel rejected especially after investing a lot of resources into a place. But many have been told such kind of words by people they have entrusted their hearts or hopes with.
I like how Isaac responded to the rejection of being told he does not belong in Gerar. He did very well in spite of rejection being one of the most difficult or painful things to experience in life.
Keep Going Till You Get to Rehoboth
He moved away and settled elsewhere without putting up a fight. He actually settled where his father had settled. He also re-dug the wells of his father that had been filled while his servants dug new wells. Unfortunately, his servants quarreled with the herders of Gerar over the water from the wells they’d dug.
Isaac did not give up. He moved yet again and dug another well. After all, he needed the space and the water for his huge household and flocks.
Rejection is a term that means ‘to be thrown back’. It is a common tool used by the devil to destroy lives. He will target your sense of belonging to a group, you’re feeling of worthiness, and your self-confidence. Remember that his mission is to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10). Therefore, the devil will use rejection to destroy the identities and self-esteem of people. This is due to the potential for rejection to scar someone for life. However, you should not allow rejection to define you.
But what is amazing is that rejection is a platform for a better future or better things in the future. Isaac was propelled by rejection until he got to Rehoboth.
Place of Settlement and Rest … Here I Come
Rehoboth is the name Isaac gave to the well which finally had no contention. Therefore, Rehoboth is the name of your future place of settlement and rest. In your Rehoboth, you will experience God’s continued favour and become fruitful.
- Acknowledge the reality of potential conflict and rejection
Any Christian or believer is a prime candidate for God’s favour. It is God’s favour that causes Christians to prosper wherever God leads and places them. Even when God leads believers to the old stuff, either spiritual heritage or supplies, they will still prosper.
However, this prosperity can be grounds for suffering rejection by one or a number of people. Your prosperity can make a person or persons reject you.
In the face of conflict, Isaac did two things. He avoided conflict and named the sources of the same (wells). As a believer, you will do well to avoid conflict (Romans 12:8 and Colossians 3:13). Some conflicts are divinely orchestrated by God to get you to your Rehoboth. You will also do well to clearly define (name) the challenges you face or pain you feel. Isaac named one well Esek and the other Sitnah meaning ‘contention’ and ‘enmity’ respectively.
- Keep on Keeping on
Isaac never gave up on settling down. He moved, re-dug an old well or dug a new well when it seemed fit to do so. Sometimes you could be in a season where things are repeatedly not working. But don’t give up! Keep on keeping on; keep on working it. The Bible states that “joy comes in the morning” (Psalm 30). And the interesting thing is that it is always darkest before day break.
- God will provide
Whenever God is leading you to your Rehoboth, He will provide all along the way. He provided for the Israelites as they journeyed through the wilderness to the Promised Land. He will therefore provide all you need on your journey to your place of settlement or rest (Hebrews 4:11). He makes advance supply arrangements.
Continue pressing into this New Year with faith and expect the Lord to fulfill His promises over your life. May the Good Lord get you to your Rehoboth.
Prayer
Father, help me to keep going! I do not want to camp at the wells of contention! There is a Rehoboth down the road for me. May you get me to it and fulfill me spiritually there. In Jesus Name I pray; Amen.
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