Verse 19. A well of springing water.] µyyj µym rab beer mayim chaiyim, A well of living waters. This is the oriental phrase for a spring, and this is its meaning both in the Old and New Testaments: Lev. xiv. 5, 50; xv. 30; Num. xix. 17; Cant. Song of Solomon iv. 15. See also John iv. 10-14; vii. 38; Revelation xxi. 6; xxii. 1. And by these scriptures we find that an unfailing spring was an emblem of the graces and influences of the Spirit of God.
Verses 18-25 - Isaac met with much opposition in digging wells. Two were calle Contention and Hatred. See the nature of worldly things; they make quarrels, and are occasions of strife; and what is often the lot of the most quiet and peaceable; those who avoid striving, yet cannot avoi being striven with. And what a mercy it is to have plenty of water; to have it without striving for it! The more common this mercy is, the more reason to be thankful for it. At length Isaacdigged a well, for which they strove not. Those that study to be quiet, seldom fail of being so. When men are false and unkind, still God is faithful an gracious; and his time to show himself so is, when we are mos disappointed by men. The same night that Isaac came weary and uneasy to Beer-sheba, God brought comforts to his soul. Those may remove with comfort who are sure of God's presence.
