“Isaac dwelt by the well Lahai-roi” Gen 25:11

 

Introduction: Background in Gen 16

  1. §         Sarai’s barrenness, and her solution
  2. §         Hagar’s impregnation, and “her mistress was despised in her eyes”
  3. §         Sarai’s response toward Abraham, “My wrong be upon thee”
  4. §         Hagar flees from her face after harsh dealings
  5. §         A o L finds her by a fountain of water in the wilderness “in the way to Shur”
  6. §         This fountain was even at that time associated with the presence and providential provision of Jehovah, that Hagar names the place
  7. §         Beer-lahai-roi: “The well of him that liveth and seeth me”
  8. §         This trip was not born out of a desire to dwell in the precious presence of the Lord and to be sustained by the sweet waters drawn from the depths of this well in the wilderness, but this was, as Bro. Spurgeon asserts, “merely a casual visit, such as worldlings pay to the Lord in time of need, when it serves their turn.”

Observation of the scenario (in reverse as well)

 

In Genesis 24:62, the Scriptures tell us that Isaac had just left this location, the name of which bears the testimony of the Living and All-Seeing God, and he goes out in the field to meditate at eventide and it is at this time that he sees for the first time ever his precious bride with the backdrop of the well of Lahai-roi, the presence and provision of God.

Every deep, and significant, and spiritual milestone in our own experience should be born out of, or serve to bring us back to our own well of Lahai-roi. (i.e. birth of child)

Perhaps as Bro. Spurgeon points out the providential experience of Hagar had struck his mind and caused him to revere the place; it could have been that its mystical name begged his interest in the place, perhaps his meeting his wife near this spot had made him feel at home their, but foremost, certainly the fellowship with the living God that he enjoyed at that hallowed well required his abiding in its piece of ground.

Because in Gen 25:11, that’s where you’ll find him, that God blessed Isaac and that Isaac dwelt by the well at Lahai-roi.

 

We must take the religion out of our experience with an Almighty God. He doesn’t desire from us the observance of religion, but commitment to a relationship. (altar call, communion) If we genuinely want to save our families, and preserve our holy relationships, and live the life we’ve been given by God in a way that is pleasing in his sight and abundant in our experience we’ve got to take our relationship with the Lord to the next level. The Lord is looking for men and women, and families that are willing to come humbly before him and confess their short-comings, and agree with him to quit playing religious games and voice a sincere desire to abide in his very presence.

 

The Psalmist asks the question in Psalm 15:1:

LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?

And in the following four verses he answers his own question. But he really outlines the response in verse two and I want to give you three important elements of abiding in God’s presence and three catalysts that will make them possible.

(1) Stride          (2) Service       (3)Sincerety

 

1. Stride: “He that walketh uprightly”

  • Distinct to every man, something people see
  • “Walk in the Spirit and ye shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh”
  • love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance
  • You can not feed your flesh and your spirit at the same time

A. You keep and upright stride by staying in the Scripture.

  1. §         What was in the well that kept Isaac satisfied to dwell there?
  2. §         “the washing of water of the word”

 

2. Service: “and worketh righteousness”

  • He’s a “good person”
  • Rom 14:23 whatsoever is not of faith is sin
  • Jas 4:17 know to do good, and don’t do it that is sin

A. You facilitate service by being affiliated with a local church

  1. §         Ps 23:16 dwell in the house/ Ps 27:14 dwell in house/ Ps 84:4 dwell in thy house
  2. §         Not a title, but a commission
  3. §         Paul didn’t go on the mission field under the Paul and Barnabbas Evangelistic Association he was commissioned and sent by the church at Antioch
  4. §         Services available: a good way to take your relationship to the next level

 

3. Sincerity: “and speaketh the truth in his heart.”

  • Prov 23:7 “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he”
  • Matt 12:34 “for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh”
  • Start being honest with yourself, about your condition before God

A. The key to being sincere in this manner is submission

  1. §         Jas 4:6-7 God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God

 

 

Is there any desire within us to dwell in the delight, and comfort, and perfection, and grace, and joy of God’s unfailing presence? Delight thyself in the Lord, and he shall give thee the desires of thy heart.