Show Don't Tell: Genesis 21:22-34

As the sun dipped low over the horizon, casting a golden hue across the arid landscape, Abimelech, the king of the Philistines, approached Abraham with a sense of urgency. Accompanied by his army commander, he came not with threats or demands, but with a heartfelt acknowledgment: “God is with you in everything you do.” Picture the two men standing in that dusty expanse, the tension dissolving into a shared recognition of divine favor. Here was a powerful king humbling himself before a wandering patriarch, a beautiful picture of unity forged in faith.

As the negotiations unfolded, the air was thick with anticipation. Abraham, with every gesture, embodied grace and wisdom. The ritual of making a treaty was not merely a formality; it was a profound act of trust and commitment to peace. To seal this covenant, Abraham presented seven ewe lambs, each one a symbol of the promise they were making. “These lambs will stand as a witness between us,” he declared, his voice steady against the wind.

The ground beneath them bore witness to this historic moment, and so they named the place Beersheba, meaning “well of the oath.” Imagine the scene—Abraham, an old man now, planting a tamarisk tree in the dry earth, its roots seeking sustenance in parched soil. With each shovel of dirt he lifted, he was not just planting a tree; he was establishing a legacy. He called upon the name of the LORD, his voice rising like incense on the evening breeze.

This was more than a mere agreement; it was a testament to God's providence. The tamarisk would one day offer shade to weary travelers, a future blessing for those who would come after him, a reminder that sometimes we invest in things we may never see flourish ourselves. As we reflect on this moment in Abraham's life, let us consider how we too can sow seeds of peace and hope, creating wells of blessing and planting trees of faith for generations yet to come.