In Search of My Rights

Water, the supporter of life, has long been the source of contention. Neighbors have been known to get into serious fights because their water rights have been infringed. One could say water is symbolic of the right to life. Without water, life would be of poor quality or non-existent. So it is justified to protect that right by any means. Right?

It would seem that I am talking about present-day issues but actually I am thinking about an issue recorded in the Bible. Isaac set up home for his family and animals beside his father’s well and all was good until his neighbors denied him access. They claimed it as theirs. They said Isaac was imposing on their rights and they would defend that right by force. And they did!

Isaac, despite the fact that he had papers to prove that it was his family’s property, decided for peace sake, to move on and dig another well. So he did but that too caused contention. Time to fight right? Not in Isaac’s view. He moved to yet another location and there he again dug deep in search of water. He was rewarded as water came gushing up enough to sustain his large family and his animals. The name he gave that well tells of the reasoning behind his pacifist stance.

“And he moved from there and dug another well, and they did not quarrel over it. So he called its name Rehoboth, because he said, “For now the LORD has made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land.”” Genesis 26: 22.

Isaac knew his rights but sought to live peacefully with his neighbor and prayerfully sought a solution to the bickering. In today’s world we might call him weak, a wimp who failed to stand-up for his and and his family’s rights.

Most or all of today’s fights with families, neighborhoods, nations, are caused by perceived rights— “this is mine”. To give-in to the offender is considered weak and indecisive; to fight is considered aggressive, out-of-control, and destructive. So what do we do? This issue is a thorny and complex problem with no easy answers.

Isaac prayerfully sought God’s direction and God “made room” for him. In Isaac’s case it was physical room but making “room” could also mean giving cool-headedness to make thoughtful decisions, open-mindedness to see the problem from the other person’s perspective, and wisdom to devise a plan that works for the good of all. As I said, it’s thorny and if I had all the answers I would be nominated for this century’s Nobel Peace Prize!

As I continue to wrestle with this thorny issue of rights I am reminded,

“If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. . . . “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”” Romans 12: 18-20.