Or, friend.

Meaning oath.

Meaning well of oath.

Although Isaac enjoyed God’s unconditional grace, finding enjoyment and satisfaction (signified by a well) in every place that he went (Gen. 25:11; 26:15-22), Beer-sheba was the unique place in which he experienced God’s appearing, received His promise, built an altar, called on the name of the Lord, and pitched a tent as a testimony. God’s called ones are destined to enjoy God’s grace regardless of their standing, but this enjoyment does not justify their standing. If we desire to have God’s appearing, inherit His promises, and live a life for the fulfillment of His eternal purpose, we must come to the unique place that God has chosen and remain there. This unique place is signified by Beer-sheba, with the well for life supply and the tamarisk tree as the expression of the rich flow of life (Gen. 21:25, 33). Cf. note Deut. 12:5¹ and note Deut. 12:17¹.

Meaning broad places, broad ways.

Meaning enmity.

Meaning contention.

Lit., living. See note Num. 21:16¹.

Or, body of servants.

Or, great…greater…great.

This exposed Isaac’s natural weakness, which was the same as his father Abraham’s (cf. Gen. 20:1-2, 11-13).

Isaac inherited not only all that his father had but also the promise God had given to his father concerning the good land and the unique seed, who is Christ, in whom all the nations of the earth were to be blessed (Gal. 3:14, 16). This promise was actually for the fulfillment of God’s purpose that God might have a kingdom on the earth in which to express Himself through a corporate people. See note Gen. 12:2^2a and note Gen. 15:3^1a.