After his father’s death, Isaac lived in Beer-lahai-roi, which translates to “the Well of the Living One Who Sees Me.” Genesis 25: 11 After Abraham’s death, God blessed his son Isaac, who settled near Beer-lahai-roi in the Negev. [1]
This is the second time we have seen this name mentioned in the story of Abraham. The first time was when Hagar was pregnant with Ishmael and running away from Sarah. Hagar had become haughty after she was pregnant with Abraham’s child. As a result, Sarah, feeling jealous, mistreated Hagar, who then ran away.
The Origin of the Well’s Name
Genesis 16: 7 The angel of the Lord found Hagar beside a spring of water in the wilderness, along the road to Shur. 8 The angel said to her, “Hagar, Sarai’s servant, where have you come from, and where are you going?”
“I’m running away from my mistress, Sarai,” she replied.
9 The angel of the Lord said to her, “Return to your mistress, and submit to her authority.” 10 Then he added, “I will give you more descendants than you can count.”
11 And the angel also said, “You are now pregnant and will give birth to a son. You are to name him Ishmael (which means ‘God hears’), for the Lord has heard your cry of distress…
13 Thereafter, Hagar used another name to refer to the Lord, who had spoken to her. She said, “You are the God who sees me.” She also said, “Have I truly seen the One who sees me?” 14 So that well was named Beer-lahai-roi (which means “well of the Living One who sees me”).[2]
Living for the God Who Sees
Isaac was able to physically live near this well where Hagar understood God sees all. While we can’t do that today, we can dwell in a spiritual place where we know God is living and sees. Isaac inherited the promises of the covenant from his father. As believers, we are adopted into the family of Abraham and inherit these same promises. Galatians 3: 29 And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God’s promise to Abraham belongs to you. [3]
We want to live by the spiritual well of the Living One Who Sees Me. But what might prevent this? Here are three things that hinder that relationship.
- Unbelief. Hebrews 11:6 And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.[4]
- Disobedience Genesis 17: 9 Then God said to Abraham, “Your responsibility is to obey the terms of the covenant. You and all your descendants have this continual responsibility.[5] John 14: 15 “If you love me (Jesus), obey my commandments.[6]
- Unforgiveness Matthew 6: 14 If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. 15 But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins. [7]
Faith Journey
This is the conclusion of a sixteen-week study of Abraham’s faith journey. We have witnessed the ups and downs, as well as the maturation of Abraham’s faith. God initiated the call and the covenant with Abraham and God does the same for us today. We may not respond perfectly, but we can be assured that God is faithful even when we are not.
Jesus was the ultimate blessing of the covenant. Because of what Jesus did on the cross, we now, through the power of the Holy Spirit, can have an eternal relationship with the God of the universe. This is the Living One who sees and loves us. To learn more, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/abraham-faithful-to-the-end
[1-7] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Tyndale House Publishers.