Back to Articles

Digging Wells

By: Dr. David E. Walker

“And Isaac digged again the wells of water…” (Genesis 26:18).

The words and stories of the Bible are never in vain or out of place. Even this seemingly insignificant story about Isaac digging some wells has great spiritual worth and value. You see, Isaac had to rediscover the wells that were once dug by his father Abraham. The Philistines, after Abraham left, had filled them in with dirt, and it was through much work and effort that Isaac rediscovered those fountains of water that were so refreshing in a barren land.

So it is with Bible believing Christianity and the Bible believing Christian. Through liberal views, humanistic methods, new translations, and non-biblical tradition, much dirt has been poured into the wells that our father’s dug. Although the damage was done in the name of Christ and reaching the world, and “making the Bible easier to understand,” the wells were stopped nonetheless. Solid Bible preaching and Christians that really practice what they profess are few and far between. A fountain is no purer than its source and the source is now muddy and full of dirt.

But, lest our hearts be filled with despair – the wells are still there! Like one old preacher responded to a Catholic when asked, “Where was your religion before the Roman Catholic Church?” “The same place your face was before you washed it: behind the dirt!” so it is with the wells. They may be hid behind the dirt and mud, but they still exist! They just need to be dug out again, so the refreshing water can once again be enjoyed.

The following articles were written by our Pastor Dr. David E. Walker. Some were written specifically for this website. Some were written sermons that Pastor Walker preached here at Calvary Baptist. And others were written for the local newspaper here in Monticello Florida. These articles cover a variety of subjects. Some are inspirational and devotional, while others are polemic and doctrinal. We hope you receive a blessing from the biblical teachings presented in these articles.

You see, Isaac was willing to work and labor to rediscover what was already there. These wells had already been dug and proven true years prior. Abraham had discovered these refreshing founts and now it was Isaac’s turn to discover them. And after he dug them back up, he didn’t change them or “redefine” them, he simply:“…[C]alled their names after the names by which his father had called them.” (verse 18)

This modern age of Christianity in this “post Christian” era of American history is not satisfied with the old names, the old paths or the old Bible. They like the Athenians want to “hear some new thing” (Acts 17:21) so they change their theology to match the culture, follow new paths and a “new gospel” (see Gal. 1:6-9). We shouldn’t shy away from the old wells. In fact, I believe we should be drawn to them. They, like the “old paths” (Jer. 6:16) cannot be improved upon.

Does Isaac ever dig any wells of his own? Yes he does (see Gen. 26:19-22). But he starts by digging the wells of his father before he can find his own. The typology is clear. The Lord uses others to guide us (Acts 8:31). We can drink of their wells for awhile. We can enter into their labors. But there comes a time when we must quit living off of the spiritual coat-tails of others. We should dig new territory and discover what the Lord has for us personally.

Don’t forsake the wells of your fathers. Rediscover what the Lord showed them and then begin to dig for yourself. The well of scripture is never ending!