THE WELLS OF ISAAC

PART TWO

WELLS OF CONTENTION
SITNAH

“And they digged another well,
and strove for that also:
and he called the name of it Sitnah.
And he removed from thence,
and digged another well;
and for that they strove not:
and he called the name of it Rehoboth;
and he said,
For now the LORD hath made room for us,
and we shall be fruitful in the land”
GENESIS 26:19-20

Isaac, having removed himself from the well that he dug near Gerar, dug another well and again experienced contention and strife. This well seemed to be even more contentious than the first for he named it “Sitnah”. Sitnah in the Hebrew means accusation and hatred; it comes from the Hebrew root word satan. The severe meaning of the name indicates an escalated sense of contention; far more personal and malicious.

We all know from experience that we have an adversary. His name means to lie in wait to oppose or attack (satan). His strategies are varied as are the vessels through whom he works. The result of his influence within the Body of Christ has been much damage, sorrow and division. In this passage we see Isaac once again removing himself from this place to dig yet another well.

The journey in the things of God requires patience and persistence to discover a place of peace and rest within our own hearts. Forgiveness and fortitude must be the attitude by which we grow and walk within path of righteousness. These graces will enable us to be fruitful in the purposes of our God.

The persistent pursuit of peace and fruitfulness will always give way to God’s best for us. We read in Psalm 23 that the Lord our Shepherd leads us beside still waters where we can drink deeply of His abundant provisions even in desert places.

May the Lord teach us and lead us into such wonders; fellowship with Him and His people where the waters are quiet and sweet and filled with His presence.

Brian Troxel