And he builded an altar there, and called upon the name of the Lord, and pitched his tent there, and there Isaac’s servants digged a well. Genesis 26:25
Isaac seems to have found a wonderful place as our text indicates. The previous verse tells of the Lord appearing to him and giving him great assurances of blessing. On this revelation, Isaac sets up an altar and establishes his own testimony for God. Isaac is like the Christians today who, having encountered God’s Salvation and rejoice in God’s precious promises to us, assemble to worship Him.
Isaac first built an altar. This was where he offered sacrifices, and where the focus of his worship was. We too have an altar, where the Lord Jesus has been pleased to place His name. We gather on His day to unitedly worship and the sacrifice of praise and worship arises to Him from the hearts and lips of His redeemed. As with Isaac, the altar is the foundation of everything.
Isaac also called upon the name of the Lord. Those around him knew that he was following in his father Abraham’s footsteps in serving and trusting God. His many employees, his neighbours, and all who encountered him would know of his commitment to God. So should all those around us, as we live out the truth of what we profess in our gathering to worship. The altar produces not only worship, but a clear testimony for our Lord.
At this same place, Isaac pitched his tent. A nomad like his father, he had been moving from place to place all his life, but now, he was going to drive the tent pegs down a little deeper. There is a place in this world where the people of God – even though we are strangers and pilgrims here – can dig our roots down deep. That place is the place of the altar, the place where the Lord Jesus has placed His name. No place on earth should be so important to us, and no other place should be so comfortable or attractive as His assembly.
Our verse also speaks of the digging of a well at this place. A well was necessary for the water to supply Isaac’s people and livestock. Without this well, they would need to keep moving to other places that would have water. But a well at the place of the altar meant that the altar would overshadow all of Isaac’s life. The place of worship should also overshadow our lives, the places where we do our business, go to school, earn our living, socialize with people, and everything else we do. We dare not venture far from God’s presence and promises.
We cannot emphasize too much the importance of the place where we meet to worship the Lord. It is the place of our greatest blessing and richest promises. -Jim MacIntosh