The Everlasting God: Genesis 21:25-34
Only an everlasting God can thrive in the desert. We often find places of worship to the gods near great resources. There are all kinds of gods in rivers, jungles, forests, plains, and mountains. There are far fewer gods in arid and desert locales. Who goes to the desert to live? Who goes where there is no regular source of water to thrive?
There is no indication to tell us whether these verses happen at the same time as the prior three verses or if this story happens at a different time and is placed here in the narrative because it involves Abimelech. At some time, some of Abimelech’s men seize a well that belongs to Abraham. Abimelech claims to know nothing of the act, which is good because this would certainly have been a violation of the treaty they agreed upon!
Abraham takes some of his herd and gives it to Abimelech and then sets some animals apart for a sacrifice. If Abimelech’s men were in the wrong, shouldn’t Abimelech be the one giving up part of his resources? This is not the first time Genesis has spoken of an exchange of goods happening in the wrong direction. Twice already we’ve heard of Abraham being in the wrong and profiting from it.
There is likely a cultural undertone to each of these stories where the person who is in the wrong receives a gift. What is happening here is that the wronged individual gives a token gift to the person in the wrong to heap burning coals upon their head. If Abimelech is not lying and had no knowledge of the transgression, Abraham’s gift shows Abimelech there are no hard feelings. But if Abimelech does know what is going on, then Abraham’s gift is designed to shame Abimelech. This same dynamic applies in the previous story with Abraham and Abimelech, albeit in reverse.
After Abimelech and his general leave, Abraham finishes his oasis at Beersheba. He plants a tamarisk tree there, knowing the tamarisk is hardy and drops deep roots into the ground. Its roots will find the water deep down and will help mark the oasis where water can be found. The tamarisk tree will help Abraham remember that God is an everlasting God, capable of thriving where life is difficult.
Abraham makes a home at Beersheba, an unusual place to call home. It is at the edge of the Philistine territory. While not completely in the open desert, the importance of wells as the primary water source indicates the scarcity of water. Only a nomad could follow God here, make a living, and find the kind of peace needed to raise a family. It is the kind of place Abraham goes to discover the meaning behind the God’s everlasting nature. Beersheba is the kind of location only an everlasting God would call his servant to come and dwell. Only an everlasting God can thrive in the desert.
