Abimelech’s servants violently took away Abraham’s well of water, and then shortly after this Abimelech wished to enter into a covenant with Abraham (Gen. 21:22-27). Abraham was willing to make the covenant on one condition only — the well of water must be returned to him. We too have a “well of water” in Christ — a place of refreshment for our thirsty souls which the enemy will take away with violence, if he can. Let us be careful not to make any “covenants” to “dwell” with those who would rob us of our joy in the Lord. Perhaps they may not intend to do it, and like Abimelech they are ignorant of it, but nevertheless Abraham did not make his covenant until the well was returned to him.
The covenant which was made was founded on Abraham’s giving seven ewe lambs, which would speak of the perfection of the work of Christ, God’s Lamb. It is only through His finished work on Calvary that we have possession of our well of living water. The Lord Jesus said, “The water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:14).
Abraham planted a grove (or tree) there. This tree would be a constant reminder of the seven ewe lambs and of the covenant made there, for God would never have us forget the cost of our redemption. It was in that place, too, that Abraham called on the name of the Lord. The work finished on Calvary’s tree is the groundwork of all true worship. He called the place BeerÂsheba (the well of the oath), and so we now have God’s own pledge that we have everlasting life through faith in His Son.
G. H. Hayhoe