Toldot, תּוֹלְדֹת - Generations
Torah Portion: Genesis 25:19-28:9
Genesis 26:13–22
26:13 The man grew great, and grew more and more until he became very great. 14 He had possessions of flocks, possessions of herds, and a great household. The Philistines envied him. 15 Now all the wells which his father’s servants had dug in the days of Abraham his father, the Philistines had stopped, and filled with earth. 16 Abimelech said to Isaac, “Go away from us, for you are much mightier than we.”
17 Isaac departed from there, encamped in the valley of Gerar, and lived there.
18 Isaac dug again the wells of water, which they had dug in the days of Abraham his father, for the Philistines had stopped them after the death of Abraham. He called their names after the names by which his father had called them. 19 Isaac’s servants dug in the valley, and found there a well of flowing water. 20 The herdsmen of Gerar argued with Isaac’s herdsmen, saying, “The water is ours.” So he called the name of the well Esek, because they contended with him. 21 They dug another well, and they argued over that, also. So he called its name Sitnah. 22 He left that place and dug another well. They didn’t argue over that one. So he called it Rehoboth. He said, “For now Hashem has made room for us, and we will be fruitful in the land.”
Today’s Meditation:
Isaac was re-digging wells and trying to reclaim what his father had. Apparently, after Abraham died, the Philistines covered them up. When his servants attempt to re-dig them, the Philistines argue, and it appears they prevent them from opening them. Then, finally, in verse 22, “For now Hashem has made room for us...” they find a successful well to dig. Isaac does not give credit to himself, but to Hashem for this. Sometimes in life, we search and search for an answer to a problem. When we find the answer, we will tend to give the credit to ourselves or someone else, when all the glory should go to Hashem. Let’s try to remember that all gifts come from the Father of Lights.
Today’s Challenge:
Are you looking for an answer or solution, and not allowing Hashem to make room for your result? What does that look like to have Him do that? To me, it means praying and worshiping Him daily, minute by minute. Then, when there is a problem, really look to Him for the answer. Watch Him move. Watch Him make room for your solution. And there will be the answer before your eyes. The only thing left to do is to give Him all the thanksgiving and glory for helping you. Your missing ingredient may only be, patience.
