E. W. Bullinger

Philologos Religious Online Books
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September, 1897 | Vol. IV July 1897 - June 1898 | Main Index

Things to Come

In Genesis 26:15-22 we read of three wells dug by Isaac.

Genesis is a book of beginnings and germs of God's ways with man.

The number three also is one which the Holy Spirit often uses for our instruction (ex. gr.—the Trinity, or three persons of the Godhead).

There are also three dispensations specially taught in His dealings with Israel, as typified by the Three Feasts in the year, viz., (1) Passover, or paschal times, now over; (2) Pentecost, or spiritual times, now present, and (3) Tabernacles, or millennial times, yet to come.

We find this same truth also taught us by the three wells of Isaac.

(1). Of the first we read (v 19), "Isaac's servants digged in the valley and found there a well of springing water, and the herdmen of Gerar did STRIVE with Isaac's herdmen, saying, The water is ours; and he called the name of the well Esek [contention or strife], but they strove with him."

Such has always been the case. In former times we see how God's people were striven with by those around them, who were strangers, like these herdmen of Gerar contending with the servants of Isaac. The Philistines were continually striving with Israel. And man's natural heart has always been in opposition to God, as shown at the cross of Christ.

(2) But Isaac, illustrating the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, sends his servants, "who digged another well," this second well, which is antityped by the gift of the Spirit at Pentecost, "and they strove for that also." Was not this just repeated? Witness the persecutions which began against the apostles at Jerusalem, and "he called the name of it 'Sitnah'"—hatred. Yes, His Truth, His name, and His ways were, and always are, hated. The flesh and spirit are "enmity" against one another.

(3) "And he removed 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.'" And this brings us to the third and last well, or millennial times when there will be no more striving, but there will be room. Room for the tribes of Israel to be planted in their land, and room for blessing and the outpouring (as of the latter rain) of the Spirit from on high.

Truly we find precious pearls of truth to be gathered up from what is so simply narrated of these wells of water, and it is good for us to bear them in mind in studying God's dealing with men, and especially we may say with Israel.

G.F.W.

September, 1897 | Vol. IV July 1897 - June 1898 | Main Index  

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