BY PASTOR T. O. BANSO
âAnd he moved from there and dug another well, and they did not quarrel over it. So he called its name Rehoboth, because he said, âFor now the LORD has made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the landââ (Genesis 26:22 New King James Version).
The name Rehoboth appears in the Bible three times. The first mention is with regard to a well that Isaac and his servants dug in the Valley of Gerar (Genesis 26:22). The second mention is in Genesis 36:37and 1 Chronicles1:48, where the Bible says when Samlah died, Saul of Rehoboth-by-the-River reigned in his place. This Rehoboth was located in northern Edom. The last mention is in Genesis 10:11. In this scripture, the Bible talks about Rehoboth Ir, one of the cities built by Nimrod in Assyria.
However, this message centres on the Rehoboth in Genesis 26:22: the well that Isaac and his servants dug after they had earlier dug some, which the people of Gerar, who were Philistines, took from them.
The Philistines began their hostility against Isaac when they blocked all the wells which the servants of his father, Abraham, had dug in Abrahamâs days; they had filled them with earth (Genesis 26:14-15). Then Abimelech, the king of Gerar told Isaac to go away because he was much mightier than his people. Actually, they were jealous of his amazing prosperity in the midst of famine (Genesis 26:12-14). But it was not Isaacâs fault that he was successful. God had told him not to go down to Egypt because of the famine, but stay in the land. He promised to bless him. And he obeyed God and stayed (Genesis 26:2-6).
Isaiah 1:19-20 says, âIf you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the swordâ for the mouth of the LORD has spokenâ (New King James Version). So Isaac was reaping the reward of obeying God. Unfortunately, many people want the fruit of obedience without sowing the seed of obedience!
Conflicts over water rights
Isaac stayed in the land of Gerar and sowed in that land. Genesis 26:12-15 says, âThat year Isaac’s crops were tremendous! He harvested a hundred times more grain than he planted, for the LORD blessed him. He became a rich man, and his wealth only continued to grow. He acquired large flocks of sheep and goats, great herds of cattle, and many servants. Soon the Philistines became jealous of him, and they filled up all of Isaac’s wells with earth. These were the wells that had been dug by the servants of his father, Abrahamâ (New Living Translation). Did you see how dangerous jealousy is? They filled up the wells with earth or dirt. So the wells were neither useful to Isaac nor to them. Thatâs wicked. The enemy shall not fill up your well of blessing, joy, prosperity, etc. in Jesusâ name.
Water was a big issue in Palestine where this event took place. Water could be scarce as there was little rain most part of the year. Therefore, wells and cisterns were very important. It would have been better if they had taken possession of the wells and used them. Well-digging is a tedious job. But these Philistines played the spoiler. No enemy will spoil the work of your hands in Jesusâ name. The devourer shall not devour you, your family, your business, etc. The cutting locusts, the swarming locusts, the hopping locusts, and the stripping locusts shall not destroy the work of your hands (Joel 1:4).
So the Philistines were envious of Isaac and their king sent him away. Genesis 26:17-21 continues the story:Â âThen 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. Also Isaac’s servants dug in the valley, and found a well of running water there. But the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with Isaac’s herdsmen, saying, âThe water is ours.â So he called the name of the well Esek, because they quarreled with him. Then they dug another well, and they quarreled over that one also. So he called its name Sitnahâ (NKJV).
From this account, Isaacâ servants dug wells three times, but there were conflicts over water rights. They were denied the opportunity of owning or using the wells they dug. In fact, when Isaac left, as he was commanded by the king, the wells his servants first dug were not entirely new wells. They were the wells dug by Isaacâs father, but which the Philistines had filled with earth after Abraham’s death. Maybe they did that also out of jealousy, because Abraham was a prosperous man. So Isaac, his son, reopened them and renamed them the names his father had given them (Genesis 26:18-19). The Bible does not tell us their names.
However, Isaacâs servants also dug a new well. Because the local herdsmen claimed its ownership, Isaac named it Esek, which means argument or contention. There was also a dispute over the next well they dug, and Isaac named it Sitnah, which means hostility or enmity. This kind of loss could be discouraging. How could someone be labouring and some people are robbing him of his reward? Anyone experiencing such a thing should never give up. God is the God of justice. He doesnât approve of the subversion of anyoneâs rights. Lamentation 3:35-36 says, âTo turn aside the justice due a man before the face of the Most High, or subvert a man in his cause â The Lord does not approveâ (New King James Version).
Isaac and his servants did not give up. No matter what the enemy does against you, your family, your welfare, your business, your finances, etc, never give up. I know itâs not easy, but never give up. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you. Paul said in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, âThat is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are quite small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last foreverâ (New Living Translation).
Welcome to Rehoboth
After digging wells, which they were dispossessed of, Isaacâs servants went on to dig another well, which was not taken from them. They named it Rehoboth. According to Eastonâs 1897 Bible Dictionary, Rehoboth means âbroad places.â
Rehoboth also means âopen spaceâ (New Living Translation). Isaac said, âAt last the LORD has created enough space for us to prosper in this landâ (Genesis 26:22 New Living Translation). I donât know what losses youâve incurred in the past or the failures youâve experienced. I donât know how many times youâve tried and have been defeated. God will create open spaces, indeed broad places, for you to prosper. The enemy will not displace you forever.
Looking at your previous experiences, you may be wondering if youâll ever be able to achieve anything that will last. But God, who changed the story of Isaac and didnât allow his labour to be wasted permanently, will intervene in your case and reward your labour. He will compensate you. âBut you, be strong and do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded!â (2 Chronicles 15:7 New King James Version). Weep no more; the LORD shall reward you; youâll dig another well, which nobody shall take from you. Â âThus says the LORD: âRefrain your voice from weeping, And your eyes from tears; For your work shall be rewarded, says the LORDââ (Jeremiah 31:16a New King James Version).
Rehoboth also means âroom enoughâ (New Century Version). Isaac said, âNow the LORD has made room for us, and we will be successful in this landâ (Genesis 26:22 New Century Version). Where youâre currently labouring, youâll be successful in Jesusâ name. In your business, academics and other concerns, youâll be successful. God will make enough room for you to be fruitful. It doesnât matter the success others have made, the clients or customers they have, or the market share they control, God will make enough room for you to succeed.
The Living Bible calls the well of Rehoboth âthe well of Room Enough for us at lastâ(Genesis 26:22). Â No matter the previous failures, now at last, there is room enough for you to succeed. At last, the LORD shall restore your losses. Nahum 2:2 says, âFor the LORD will restore the excellence of Jacob like the excellence of Israel, for the emptiers have emptied them out and ruined their vine branchesâ (New King James Version). The emptiers shall not empty you in Jesusâ name. If youâve been emptied, God will fill you again with abundance. He did it for Job and He will do it for you. He restored Job’s losses when he prayed for his friend; He gave Job twice as much as he had before (Job 42:10).
God will give you room enough to prosper and restore your previous losses. Psalm 126:1 says, âWhen the LORD restored his exiles to Jerusalem, it was like a dream!â (New Living Translation). Your restoration shall happen like a dream.
âThe well of Room Enough for us at lastâ(Genesis 26:22).  This season, youâll say, âAt last, Iâve passed that examâ, âAt last, Iâm a joyful parent; my baby has comeâ, âAt last, I am completely healedâ, or âAt last, my miracle has manifested.â
Rehoboth also means âwide-open spacesâ (The Message). That also could mean that plus the availability of water in the well, Isaac had wide-open spaces for his animals because Genesis 26:14 records that he had possessions of flocks and possessions of herds
God will give you âplenty of space to spread out in the landâ (The Message). In other words, youâll experience âenlargementâ (Youngâs Literal Translation). Isaiah 54:2-3 says, âEnlarge your house; build an addition; spread out your home! For you will soon be bursting at the seams. Your descendants will take over other nations and live in their citiesâ (New Living Translation). God shall enlarge you this year. You will expand to the right hand and to the left.
While Noah was praying for Japheth, his son, he said, âMay God enlarge the territory of Japheth, and may he share the prosperity of Shem; and let Canaan be his servantâ (Genesis 9:27 New Living Translation). In1 Chronicles 4:10, Jabez prayed, âOh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!â(New King James Version). Take note of that phrase: enlarge my territory. God granted the request of Jabez. The LORD will enlarge you, too, Â and cause you to prosper.
Rehoboth also means âfreedomâ (Knox Translation). You shall no longer be in bondage or limited by the enemy. You shall be free. Psalm 146:7c says, âThe LORD gives freedom to the prisonersâ (New King James Version). If the Son, Jesus Christ, makes you free, you shall be free indeed (John 8:36). Zechariah 9:11 says, âAs for you also, because of the blood of your covenant, I will set your prisoners free from the waterless pitâ (New King James Version). The blood of the new covenant, the blood of Jesus, does not only set you free from sin, but from the attendant consequences of sins. Rehoboth! Thereâs freedom for you in Jesusâ name.
Isaac and his servants were free from the enemy who took over their wells by force. This time, they dug a well and there was no argument or hostility. God caused his enemy to be at peace with him (Proverbs 16:7). God will silence every argument against your progress. Heâll stop any hostility against your advancement. Youâll prosper, youâll succeed, and youâll be enlarged.
A change of story
Rehoboth! Rehoboth was Isaac’s turning point. In the past, the enemy, the herdsmen of Gerar, forcibly took over their wells, but never again. Never again will the enemy take advantage of you. Never again will the thief steal what belongs to you. Never again will there be any argument with you over your possession. Never again will the hostility of the enemy rob you of your labour.
This season shall be a turning point in your life. It shall be a Rehoboth for you. You shall not build, and another person inhabit; you shall not plant, and another person eat; you shall long enjoy the work of your hands. You shall not labor in vain, or bring forth children for trouble. Your children and their offspring shall be the descendants of the blessed of the LORD (Isaiah 65:22-23).
At Rehoboth, the enemy was silenced. They didnât disturb Isaac and his servants again. Isaac knew why. The LORD! He said the LORD had made room for him and he would be fruitful. From Rehoboth, he moved to Beersheba where, on the night he arrived, the LORD appeared to him a second time, having appeared to him in Genesis 26:2.
God said, âI 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 sakeâ (Genesis 26:24 New King James Version). Did you see that? Isaac became unstoppable! It was no longer a chain of losses but of successes. His heavens had been opened. Youâll operate under open heavens in Jesusâ name. Your heavens will be permanently open.
You shall become unstoppable in life.
What happened next to Isaac? âSo he built an altar there and called on the name of the LORD, and he pitched his tent there; and there Isaac’s servants dug a wellâ (verse 25 New King James Version). Did you see that again? They dug another well. Was there any argument or contention over this well? No. His warfare for that season was over.
The LORD said to Prophet Isaiah, âSpeak comfort to Jerusalem, and cry out to her, That her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned; For she has received from the LORD’s hand Double for all her sinsâ (Isaiah 40:2 New King James Version). I pray that this season, the LORD will bring an end to your prolonged warfare. Youâll move from argument and contention to victory and prosperity. Youâll enjoy unhindered peace.
Your enemies shall submit to you
But Isaacâs chain of successes didnât stop at merely digging wells that the enemy didnât fight with him over. God caused his enemy, King Abimelech, to come from Gerar with Ahuzzath, one of his friends, and Phichol the commander of his army, to beg Isaac and make peace with him (Genesis 26:26). Verses 27-29 say, âAnd Isaac said to them, Why have you come to me, since you hate me and have sent me away from you?â But they said, âWe have certainly seen that the LORD is with you. So we said, ‘Let there now be an oath between us, between you and us; and let us make a covenant with you, that you will do us no harm, since we have not touched you, and since we have done nothing to you but good and have sent you away in peace. You are now the blessed of the LORDââ (New King James Version).
Isaacâs enemy finally acknowledged that he was blessed of the LORD. Abimelech didnât know this when he and his people were envious or jealous of him, and he sent him away. But he had realized that the more Isaac was being pulled down, the higher he was going. Maybe he had been hearing the news of his breakthroughs. At last, he came to make peace with Isaac. Proverbs 14:19 says the evil bow before the good; and the wicked at the gates of the righteous. Your enemies shall bow before you in Jesus’ name.
The last sentence in Deuteronomy 33:29 says âYour enemies shall submit to you, and you shall tread down their high placesâ (New King James Version). That is what happens when someone has entered his Rehoboth. The enemies admit that the battle is won and lost. Theyâve lost, and must surrender. âSay to God, âHow awesome are Your works! Through the greatness of Your power Your enemies shall submit themselves to Youâ (Psalm 66:3 New King James Version). Your enemies shall submit to you. They shall all surrender.
After Abimelech had spoken peaceably to Isaac, Isaac made him and those who accompanied him a feast; they ate and drank. Early the following morning, Isaac and Abimelech entered into a pact of nonaggression with each other. And Isaac sent them away in peace.
It wasnât Isaac who was afraid of being attacked; it was Abimelech. And he had to come to initiate the peace pact. Like David, you will become stronger and stronger; your enemies shall become weaker and weaker (2 Samuel 3:1). Like the Israelites, God will increase you greatly, and make you stronger than your enemies. You shall become too mighty for your enemies (Psalm 105:24a)
The LORD shall bring you to your Rehoboth, which is the beginning of your endless breakthroughs. Thatâs where God prepares a table before you in the presence of your enemies, and they can do nothing, but watch you enjoy your meals! (Psalm 23:5). The season of satanic harassment is over! God will bring you to the place that your cup of blessings shall overflow; it shall run over in Jesusâ name.
Ceaseless blessings
After the peace treaty had been made and Abimelech had departed, the Bible says that, that same day, Isaac’s servants came and told him about the well which they had dug. They said to him, âWe have found water.â And he called it Shebah and the city was named Beersheba (Genesis 26:32-33). Shebah means oath or seven, while Beersheba means Well of the Oath or Well of the Seven.
Earlier in Genesis 21, Abraham had dug a well and named it Beersheba, meaning Well of the oath, or Well of seven, because Abraham and Abimelech (not the Abimelech in Isaacâs story) swore to an oath there (verse 31).
Isaacâs servants found water again. If youâve found water before, youâll find water again. Your best shall not be in the past. The LORD shall give you new testimonies. What you’ve lost, you’ll recover. The blessing that the enemy has stopped will resume. Your efforts shall not be in vain. God will give you more blessings. When you think you have had enough, God will give you more. Youâll enjoy overflowing blessings.
Conclusion: Jesus said, âHave faith in Godâ (Mark 11:22 New King James Version). In your present challenges, keep renewing your faith in God; keep doing what youâre supposed to be doing. You need your faith for victory. âFor whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world â our faithâ (1 John 5:3-4 New King James Version). Have faith in God and continue to do what youâre supposed to be doing. Keep looking unto Jesus. Hebrews 12:2 says, âLooking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of Godâ (New King James Version).
Remember what Isaac went through before he got to Rehoboth and then Beersheba. The enemy oppressed him, but God brought him to his wealthy place. Maybe you also have passed through the net and affliction. Men might have ridden over your heads. Probably you have gone through fire and water. This is not your end. God will bring you into your wealthy place (Psalm 66:11-12). God will bring you to your Rehoboth. He will bring you out to a place of rich fulfillment.
David said, âHe also brought me out into a broad place; He delivered me because He delighted in meâ (Psalm 18:19 New King James Version). Take note of that phrase, broad place. Youâll recall that Eastonâs 1897 Bible Dictionary says Rehoboth means âbroad places.â God will bring you into your broad places, your Rehoboth. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5). Good morning; your joy is coming. Get ready to enter your Rehoboth. Hallelujah!
TAKE ACTION!
If youâre not born again, I urge you to take the following steps: *Admit youâre a sinner and you canât save yourself and repent of your sins. *Confess Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. *Renounce your past way of life â your relationship with the devil and his works. *Invite Jesus into your life. *As a mark of seriousness to mature in the faith, start to attend a Bible-believing, Bible-teaching church. There you will be taught how to grow in the Kingdom of God.
Kindly say this prayer now: O Lord God, I come unto you today. I know I am a sinner and I cannot save myself. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross to save me and resurrected the third day. I repent and confess my sins. I confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour and surrender my life to him today. I invite Jesus into my heart today. By this prayer, I know I am saved. Thank you, Jesus, for saving me and making me a child of God.
I believe you have said this prayer from your heart. Congratulations! You will need to join a Bible believing, Bible teaching church in your area where you will be taught how to live your new life in Christ Jesus. I pray that you flourish like the palm tree and grow like the cedar of Lebanon. May you grow into Christ in all things and become all God wants you to be. May the LORD be with you. Iâll be glad to hear from you.
T. O. Banso is the President, Cedar Ministry International, Abuja, Nigeria.
Phone No: +2348155744752, +2348033113523
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Email: cedarministryintl@yahoo.com,
cedarministryng@gmail.com
Website: www.cedarministry.org