Apples of Gold

We are trained from a very young age to expect certain results for our behavior. I grew up in the day where disobedience, or disrespect would yield undesirable consequences and the opposite held true as well. Displaying proper behavior was rewarded with praise, or even an occasional treat, at our house a trip to the local ice cream shop was a favorite. 

As we mature, we begin to realize that we don’t always “get what we asked for”. Obedience often brings reward but not always. Sometimes obedience brings pain and confusion. Isaac experienced this on his journey as we traveled the road to Rehoboth.

When Issac 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. Genesis 26:12-14

Isaac found himself experiencing the blessings of God. He watched his resources rapidly multiply making him very wealthy, and then he watched his jealous neighbors heap piles of dirt into his hard earned water supply. If that wasn’t enough King Abimelech even ordered him to leave the country!  

There are times that our obedience to God is rewarded with his blessing but “booed” by those around us. Sometimes this is due to jealousy, as in Isaac’s case. There are times when those who don’t understand what God is doing, or spiritual principles in general, may even want to start a fight. 

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”). Isaac’s men then dug another well, but again there was a dispute over it. So Isaac named it Sitnah (which means “hostility”). Genesis 26:19-21

Isaac’s frustration is evident in the names he chose for these wells, argument and hostility. Isaac was just trying to find a place for his family to settle and enjoy the blessings of God. It is ironic that the blessing of God is what made those around him push him away. God had given him so much and those around him were either jealous or they just didn’t want to share! 

We cannot expect those who do not know God to understand what he is doing in our lives. Spiritual principles do not make sense to the carnal mind. (If we are honest, sometimes they are difficult for the sanctified mind as well.)

People who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means. 1 Corinthians 2:14

On our journey to Rehoboth, we might find that sometimes it is difficult to recognize some of God’s blessings for what they are. Delays, challenges, even the “no’s” can be hard to handle. We imagine them to be set backs, failures or even neglect on God’s part, when actually they are all factored in to the plan of God to bring us to the right place at the right time. 

Time and time again Isaac moved his family, found water and dug wells. Time and again he was forced to move on and start the process over. Thankfully Isaac had the tenacity to continue on.

Abandoning that one, Isaac moved on and dug another well. This time there was no dispute over it, so Isaac named the place Rehoboth (which means “open space”), for he said, “At last the LORD has created enough space for us to prosper in this land.” Genesis 26:22

Finally there was room for Isaac and his family to enjoy the blessing of God. The road was long and dusty, and perhaps a tad repetitive, but they arrived at Rehoboth. 

Each of us is on a similar journey, likely with similar setbacks and struggles. We pray for a loved one to turn their life around and watch them make great strides, ask the right questions, give the right answers but before we know it they have retreated, relapsing and refastening their own shackles. It is as if someone dumped dirt into the well we worked so hard to dig.  Sometimes we think the answer to long fought prayer battles is within our grasp and it evaporates into thin air as we struggle to maintain our balance. 

These battles can be long, and grueling. Sometimes we fight discouragement and disappointment, even despair. Jesus has some encouragement for us:

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. John 16:33

Things might look bleak right now. The battle scene might seem to be stuck on repeat but our Savior has overcome. Rehoboth is not far away. Keep digging, keep praying, keep trusting. Victory is coming because the one who purchased your life has no opponent he cannot conquer. 

But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world. 1 John 4:4