Genesis 26:18-22

Genesis 26:18-22

[18] And Isaac  digged  again  the wells  of water,  which they had digged  in the days  of Abraham  his father;  for the Philistines  had stopped  them after  the death  of Abraham:  and he called  their names  by which  his father  had called  them. [19] And Isaac's  servants  digged  in the valley,  and found  there a well  of springing  water.  [20] of Gerar  did strive  with Isaac's  saying,  The water  is ours: and he called  the name  of the well  Esek;  because they strove  with him. [21] And they digged  another  well,  and strove  for that also: and he called  the name of it  Sitnah.  [22] 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. 

What does Genesis 26:18-22 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Isaac reopened the wells that Abraham had dug but the native inhabitants had later filled with earth. He also dug three new wells. In contrast with Abraham, Isaac "was called not so much to pioneer as to consolidate." [1]
This incident shows God"s blessing of Isaac, too. Water in the wilderness is a strong symbol of God"s supernatural blessing in spite of nature.
The incident also reveals the peaceful character of this patriarch who did not battle his neighbors for the wells, even though he was stronger than they ( Genesis 26:16). His actions expressed his trust in Yahweh. [2]
Isaac"s decision to sojourn in Gerar and the territory of the Philistines ( Genesis 26:1-22) seems to have been unwise but not sinful. Though he sinned in misrepresenting his relationship to Rebekah out of fear ( Genesis 26:7), his choice to live in Gerar was not sinful. It did, however, open him to temptation and trials that he probably would have avoided if he had stayed away from Gerar.