Rehoboth

I love it when I read a narrative in my Bible that I don’t remember reading before. This morning I read Genesis 26:

‘Isaac’s servants dug in the valley and discovered a well of fresh water there. But the herdsmen of Gerar quarrelled with Isaac’s herdsmen and said, ‘The water is ours!’ So he named the well Esek because they disputed with him. Then they dug another well, but they quarrelled over that one also; so he named it Sitnah. He moved on from there and dug another well, and no-one quarrelled over it. He named it Rehoboth, saying, ‘Now the Lord has given us room and we will flourish in the land.’

Isaac was a rich and powerful man. Instead of demanding his rights he created space – his Rehoboth – so all could thrive.

I’m weary of confrontation – politics, situations, people…

I know there are times when we must stand up for what is right and just, opposing corrupt and destructive lies. Such times may necessarily involve confrontation…

Much has been made of ‘democracy’ recently. Democracy come from ‘demos’ – people and ‘kratos’ – rule. Too often we focus on ‘kratos’ and forget ‘demos’; on power, not people.

Today’s people for me include:

• Jack went into hospital in December. After operations, sepsis and pneumonia he contracted Covid.  Yesterday Jack texted: ‘Lost the guy opposite me last night. Virus just took him….’
• Dennis is self-isolating at home because of vulnerable family members. In November he discovered a lump. His doctor is looking at it this morning. Dennis is very nervous.
• Katie is studying at home for her GCSEs. She doesn’t know how it will all work out, or what is required of her, but she’ll do her best today…

And I return to my faith where I am called to stand with the weak and vulnerable, live in meekness, humility and kindness… and create quarrel-free Rehoboths where people can flourish.