Gen 21:33 | KingComments | STEP | Here the relationship between Abraham and Abimelech is completely reversed in comparison with the previous chapter. Abimelech acknowledges that God is with Abraham. This is a picture of what the nations will say in the future, when Israel has become the head of the nations ( ). A Christian can already get this acknowledgment. If a Christian walks faithfully with God, it will be noticed. This is the result of the ‘driving out’ of the flesh, of not walking as the nations do. When Isaac – in our life: the Lord Jesus – gets his true place, this acknowledgment comes from Abimelech – for us: from the world. However, Abraham is painfully reminded of his failure ( ). Yet, as has been said, the relationship is completely different. Now Abraham reprimands Abimelech for a well and gives gifts to Abimelech. The well is named after the wilderness of Beersheba. The covenant they make with each other is reinforced by a gift from Abraham’s hand. After this Abimelech returns to his country. Abraham calls upon “the name of the LORD, the Everlasting God”. He expresses the awareness that God is beyond time and that all His promises will be fulfilled, even if there is nothing to be seen yet. That’s why in this faith he plants a tamarisk near Beersheba (‘well of the oath’). With this he marks, as it were, the border between himself and the Philistines.

‏ Genesis 21:33

Abraham and Abimelech

Here the relationship between Abraham and Abimelech is completely reversed in comparison with the previous chapter. Abimelech acknowledges that God is with Abraham. This is a picture of what the nations will say in the future, when Israel has become the head of the nations (Zec 8:23).

A Christian can already get this acknowledgment. If a Christian walks faithfully with God, it will be noticed. This is the result of the ‘driving out’ of the flesh, of not walking as the nations do. When Isaac – in our life: the Lord Jesus – gets his true place, this acknowledgment comes from Abimelech – for us: from the world. However, Abraham is painfully reminded of his failure (Gen 21:23).

Yet, as has been said, the relationship is completely different. Now Abraham reprimands Abimelech for a well and gives gifts to Abimelech. The well is named after the wilderness of Beersheba. The covenant they make with each other is reinforced by a gift from Abraham’s hand. After this Abimelech returns to his country.

Abraham calls upon “the name of the LORD, the Everlasting God”. He expresses the awareness that God is beyond time and that all His promises will be fulfilled, even if there is nothing to be seen yet. That’s why in this faith he plants a tamarisk near Beersheba (‘well of the oath’). With this he marks, as it were, the border between himself and the Philistines.