Water Rights

Out of all the water on the earth and in the atmosphere only a small percentage is fit for human consumption. Like the human flesh is contaminated by sin, much of the water we see is also contaminated. A cabin that is built on a hillside overlooking a blue tinted lake despite its close proximity to water will still require a spring or well to drink. It is not hard to remember the ascent up an Appalachian mountain closely following the trail hugging the trickling stream. While the fatigue intensified, the building thirst was more distracting. A certain elevation had to be achieved before the water would be pure enough to finally cure the antagonizing thirst. It is quite possible that water has been the most disputed natural resource since the fountains of the great deep were broken up in Noah's flood. Genesis 7:11. Civilizations through the years have been plotted next to water features invoking possession disputes all the while. Unlike the Edenic rivers of the prefallen earth, the rivers of our current age are tainted by the footprint of life. When ingested water of a contaminated source can cause sickness and even death while not drinking water can dehydration and also eventually death. This leaves mankind with a peculiar problem of needing to be near a viable source of water. Isaac too was in need of this precious sustainer of the physical body.

We find Isaac needing to dig a well in Genesis 26. After the Lord tells him not to flee to Egypt in the time of famine, Isaac has to have faith in God's promise made to him in verse 3 of the same chapter though it must have seemed impossible to survive in Gerar. We see an example of the fallen state and toil of obtaining water similar to modern times in the following verses. After Isaac's father had dug and named wells, the Phillistines filled them in causing Isaac to have to attempt to dig three wells each symbolizing a different aspect of his pursual of water. The first well that Isaac attempts is disputed by a herdsman of Gerar. Genesis 26: 20. The well was named Esec which means strife. Strife is a contention in anger or enmity. Man has battled in strife to maintain control water sources. Isaac in Genesis 26:21 tries to dig another well and again strove there and called the well Sitnah which means accusation. By this point it would seem that water was out of reach and survival may have been hanging in the balance. But God made his promise back in verse 3 and for the last time Isaac attempted to dig a well and was successful. He called the well Rehobeth saying “...for now the Lord hath made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land.” Genesis 26:22. The Lord has also provided the Living Water to us.

In chapter 4 Jesus explains to the Samaritan woman the cure to our problem of thirst. “Jesus answered and said unto her, whosever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 4: 13-14. This need of water is voiced by our Saviour on the cross. John 19:28. Thirst is one of the key symptoms of the fallen world but is only temporary if you drink of the living water that is Christ. Revelation 22:1 speaks of a pure river. The hydraulic cycle of the current age is vastly different from that which is to come. Water evaporates from the ground and then falls on the earth again. This sometimes comes in the form of a storm or wind similar to the tribluations we have thundering through life. In order for the rain water to purify itself is to seep through a filtering mechanism such as rock or sand. Likewise, Jesus Christ filters our infirmities. Then the water purely comes to the surface as a spring or is drawn up from a well quenching the thirst once more to hydrate our earthly bodies. But the tongue will grow drier and the water of the world will not revive you one day. Let Jesus's blood cleanse your sins and drink of the water that brings everlasting life in Jesus Christ. “For God so loved the world that gave His only begotten Son that whosoever shall believe in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.

Josh Upham