“Digging in the Dirt” by vertige via www.sxc.hu
A carpenter was telling me yesterday about his current project of installing a fence. This is not an ordinary fence but a fence that is built to separate neighbors who have battled in court.. As a part of the settlement the judge would not allow the man to construct a fence out of block or concrete. He has built an 8-foot high wood fence and is putting metal tin on the side facing the neighbor. While on the other property line he is in a dispute over a row of trees he planted.
Sadly this story is not that unusual, whether it is families squabbling over an inheritance, a bitter divorce, or co-workers constantly bickering; contention is the norm! Heard another story recently about a preacher who was dismissed from his church, apparently he was upset, because in his departing he poured concrete down the drainage pipes of the parsonage.
In our culture we esteem winning, value strength, and consider being a peacemaker to be weak and undesireable.
In Genesis 26:16-23, Isaac was in a property dispute with some neighbors. They kept filling in his wells and claiming wells he had dug as their own. Isaac was said to be mightier in force than these neighbors, but Isaac just kept moving along and digging more wells. The text indicates that much of this contention likely came because his neighbors envied him (v. 14). It seems he will dig as many as 6 wells trying to avoid a fight. He even named the wells. One he called “Esek” meaning “contention”. The next he called, “Sitnah” which means “enmity.” Finally after he moves far enough away and there is no contention he names it “Rehoboth” meaning “broad place or room.”
How many wells would we have dug? If we had the power and the right, would we have fought and contented? Isaac didn’t view wells as worthy of a fight. He was a sojourner, he would just move on with his family and herdsmen.
It seems that many of our battles in our families, churches, and businesses are not truly worthy of a fight. We just fight them because we are jealous, selfish, and determined to win. It is against our grain to lose. We don’t want to be run-over and we demand our rights. We claim it is only fair. So we fight; and though we might win, we lose.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” Mat. 5:9
When you find yourself in contention remember Isaac. You might appear weak and a push-over to the world, but you win before God.
You want to make a difference in your many relationships, be a peacemaker!
Get your shovel ready, move on, and dig another well!
