# 191 My Beersheba

The Book of Genesis

Day 191

Ge 21:25 Then Abraham rebuked Abimelech because of a well of water which Abimelech's servants had seized.  26 And Abimelech said, "I do not know who has done this thing; you did not tell me, nor had I heard of it until today."  27 So Abraham took sheep and oxen and gave them to Abimelech, and the two of them made a covenant.  28 And Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves.  29 Then Abimelech asked Abraham, "What is the meaning of these seven ewe lambs which you have set by themselves?"  30 And he said, "You will take these seven ewe lambs from my hand, that they may be my witness that I have dug this well."  31 Therefore he called that place Beersheba, because the two of them swore an oath there.  32 Thus they made a covenant at Beersheba. So Abimelech rose with Phichol, the commander of his army, and they returned to the land of the Philistines.  33 Then Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and there called on the name of the LORD, the Everlasting God.  34 And Abraham stayed in the land of the Philistines many days.

This is a significant event in the history of Israel.  Abimelech, realizing that God was with Abraham, 

goes out of his way to ensure good relations with Abraham, but trouble erupts almost immediately.  The area around Beersheba is very arid and water was a prime commodity.  Abraham had dug a well, but Abimelech’s servants had seized it by force.  When confronted with that fact by Abraham,  Abimelech says, “this is news to me!”

Abraham plays along with the game and pays for the well with some sheep and oxen.  But then Abraham does something new. He sets aside seven ewe lambs from his flock and Abimelech asks, “What’s this all about?”  And Abraham in effect says, “these lambs serve as a forever witness between you and I and the Lord God  that I have dug this well.” In other words, this place therefore belongs to me and my posterity, and you know what?  It belongs to Israel to this day! Beersheba marks the southern boundary of Israel.

The number seven is significant because it brings God into the equation in an official capacity. You see, it represents the number of God (3) dealing with the number of the earth (4).  Abimelech is not just dealing with Abraham here….he is dealing with God!

Abraham also marks this place with the planting of a tamarisk tree. This is significant in that a tamarisk tree is extremely slow growing, so Abraham was likely thinking of the next generations .  This was a way of showing he believed all of God’s promises concerning his offspring and this land!

Then Abraham prayed, calling on the name of the Lord, likely praying back the promises of God given to him earlier.

Yes, Beersheba is a significant place! Have you a “Beersheba” in your life? A place where you can go and taste of the living water? A place of significant events in your life where you can go and relive the promises of God with praise and thanksgiving?  It’s not so much about a place, it’s more about taking the time to do it on a regular basis. I have such a place, and I have such a time, ….it’s called church, and I go there weekly to call on the name of the Lord, taking in His Living Water (the Word) and reliving and relishing His promises to me, a poor sinful being!

Pray: Thank You Lord for my Beersheba. May I never grow weary of visiting it for my spiritual refreshment!