I find myself in an arid eastern region for the next few weeks. A region where the future possibility of extending our work with our Yezidi survivors of ISIS in 2014 bringing them together with survivors of Hamas in 2024 exists. A region where it may be possible to raise a Tent of Meeting that will spread its peaceful awnings across warring nations and unite those considered enemies, those who have suffered the same atrocities perpetrated by evil men.
But first a well has to be dug. A tent can not be erected without a well close by. Between running between government offices, and biding time waiting for paperwork, I am reflecting on the life of both Abraham and Isaac, the well diggers. Digging a well is a costly act of faith. It is a risky business, a new water source bringing peace or enmity. Unity or collision. Digging a well is propelled by the faith that if you dig down, there will be water. Digging a well is an act of hard labour. If water is found, the reward will provide life for an entire community. Word of the well will spread and there will be those who will come to drink of what Dr Saeed terms "life water".
Abraham dug and maintained wells that flourished, for which his enemies hated him. Upon his death, the sea people from Caphtor blocked up the wells thus destroying their life-giving ability. Years later, his son Isaac inherited the challenge to re-dig the blocked up wells and he too, faced the opposition of the Philistines who drove him away from those wells. Isaac continued to dig wells, sometimes he was successful but sometimes for the sake of peace and survival, he simply had to move on from his fathers wells now claimed by others.
As he moved forward, determined to find water for his people, breaking open new ground in places where Father Abraham had not gone, his faith and obedience were rewarded with the finding of an unexpected Well Partner. Abimelech the ruler of Gerar. A partner who previously, in his father’s land was a sworn enemy. This time the former enemy proposes a treaty to Isaac, having now been witness to the favour of God upon Isaac. Having entered into partnership, having made a covenant, water was struck.
I hope over the coming months that I will be able to expand more of our growing vision and give it greater depth for you. But for now I sojourn in a desert land, digging a well and praying for a local Well Partner. I would value your prayers during this period of time. And that for the sake of the suffering in this region "Water Will be Struck" A new well will be opened.
Isaac built an altar there and called upon the name of the Lord, and he pitched his tent there and Isaac’s servants dug a well.
Then Abimelech went to him from Gerarm and Ahuzat, and Pikok the chief captain of his army.
And Isaac said to them, "Why do you come to me seeing that you hate me and have sent me away from you?"
And they said, "We saw certainly that the Lord was with you and we said: Let there now be an oath between us, between us and you and let us make a covenant with you. That you will do us no hurt as we have not touched you, and as we have done nothing to you but good and have sent you away in peace: you are now blessed of the Lord."
And he made them a feast, and they did eat and drink.
And they rose up in the morning, and took oath with one another; and Isaac sent them away, and they departed from him in peace.
And it came to pass the same day that Isaac’s servant came and told him concerning the well which they had dug and said to him. WE HAVE FOUND WATER."
Genesis 26
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