Cool clear WaterByDewey MaggardHave you ever thought what a magnificent gift that water is to humanity? Think about this with me for a few minutes. Men and kings have fought over water.. They have negotiated with each other over water rights: Yet when droughts,or dry spells took place often bloodshed was a result of who is going to get this precious life saving element.
The people who fight over this liquid do not care that to science it is known as H2 0. Who cares how it has been labeled? What is known in every corner of the globe is that this thing known as water is important to survival. Sadly, humanity takes this wonderful element for granted until some strange force, by way of natural catastroiphe or act of God causes the water supply to be cut off. An example of early water rationing is found in Ezek 4:16 where the prophet speaks of obtaining water by “measure.”
Israel has rationed water off and on since their homeland was given back to them by Mandate from Great Britain. There been serious disputes and serious negotiations with neighboring countries over their water. The Golan Heights area is a strategic place for Israel- One of the reasons they fought Syria for recontrol of this area had to do with water. This is one of the source areas of water that finds its way into the Jordan river. Jordon is dependant on Israel for most of it’s water, and this of course comes from the Jordan river. Since the 1990’s, Damascaus has found cause to ration water from time to time.
There has been negotiations from three of these countries, Syria, Israel and Jordon with Turkey for plans to build a pipeline to supply their water. This is how serious we find the situation today and it fits in fulfillment of the prophecy in Amos 4;8
Recorded in earliest histories, are incidents of water shortages bringing about rationing. Not only have we seen rationing, but the necessity of purchasing water. In Deut 2:6 we read where God instructs the wandering Israelites to purchase meat and water from their enemies of (your brethren of the children of Esau) During their forty years in the wilderness God had provided abundantly for them. Now they must pass through Seir, the territory of Esau and depend on getting their food and water from them. This must have been an extremely repugnant task for them to perform, however, this is what God told them to do.
An interesting side note here is that they were specifically told to buy of them for money. Keep in mind this was at least 700 years before money as coinages had been minted. Yet, we find monetary terms used in the earliest books of our bible.
As to purchasing of water, today most of us find this to be obnoxious. Many of us can remember from our early childhood of crystal clear springs within a short distance from our homes. These springs were always running with pure water. The pride of our rural neighbors was their well. If you happened by on a hot summer day, usually, you were invited to come and sit under the shade tree and share a cool drink of water from that well. Or better yet, a watermelon would be drawn up in a tub from where it had been cooling and a large cool slice was given to you. What a treat that was. This was a custom where I grew up. The well with cool clear water was indeed an important delight.
Today we see prophecy fulfillment in Amos 4 vs 8, where the prophet speaks of a those who must wander into another city to find water.. I have seen people doing this very thing in some parts of California- and here in New Mexico. However, to put this in a broader perspective, we see people buying cases of spring water in our super markets that comes from far away places like the state of Washington where there is lots of water – This spring water comes from many other places. Why is this? For one thing, our bible speaks of mankind poluting the earth. We also read where God causes much rain in one place, then none in other places. This is merely one way that God tries to speak to his children to get them to turn to Him. It should therefore be plain for people of God’s family to see that we are indeed living in perilous times. And the “water situation” is merely one method God uses to speak with His people.
I spoke of water rationing taking place during earliest recorded histories; yet there was another hazard for those who must first dig their wells before settling down. An example of this is found concerning Isaac who was harrased by the Philistines as they did not want him close by –
Many bible heroes turned the other cheek when it was about water. One outstanding example was that of Isaac in Genesis 26. He dug a well for water IN AN ARID LAND. The Philistines came and claimed the well. Isaac therefore named the well “Esek” which means place of conflict or contention, and he moved on. He dug a second well and the same thing happened. He named this well “Sitnah” which means place of anger. He then moved on again. Isaac must have agonized in turning the other cheek, for digging a well was no small task in ancient times. His enemies made no claim on this third well so he named it “Rehoboth” which means the Lord has made a place or room for us.
Isaac had become an overcomer by turning the other cheek. Isaac went on to dig even a fourth well where his old enemy Abilimech and Phichol his general came and pleaded for peace, claiming they had done no harm. In spite of their false claims, Isaac made covenant with them, for he had won the battle by turning the other cheek. Then he names this fourth well and it’s vicinity “Beersheba which means place of oath (where peace was made).
The road to Beer-sheba was lined with difficulties, but the reward for traveling it was great, for it became a place of peace. As we travel the road to our own Beer-Sheba, that place of peace in that eternal heavenly kingdom, the Lord will also reward and bless us.
I seem to see a place there for each of us, and it is called Rehoboth for there is room for us all. I can not describe it’s beauty but there is a well there, and it is called the Fountain of the Living Waters. Isaac found this place. Can we?
