22 At that time Abimelek and Phicol the commander of his forces said to Abraham, “God is with you in everything you do. 23 Now swear to me here before God that you will not deal falsely with me or my children or my descendants. Show to me and the country where you now reside as a foreigner the same kindness I have shown to you.”24 Abraham said, “I swear it.”25 Then Abraham complained to Abimelek about a well of water that Abimelek’s servants had seized. 26 But Abimelek said, “I don’t know who has done this. You did not tell me, and I heard about it only today.”27 So Abraham brought sheep and cattle and gave them to Abimelek, and the two men made a treaty. 28 Abraham set apart seven ewe lambs from the flock, 29 and Abimelek asked Abraham, “What is the meaning of these seven ewe lambs you have set apart by themselves?”30 He replied, “Accept these seven lambs from my hand as a witness that I dug this well.”31 So that place was called Beersheba, because the two men swore an oath there. 32 After the treaty had been made at Beersheba, Abimelek and Phicol the commander of his forces returned to the land of the Philistines. 33 Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and there he called on the name of the Lord, the Eternal God. 34 And Abraham stayed in the land of the Philistines for a long time.REFLECTIONSWritten by Sam DarmoIt seems that God has given a place for Abraham to finally settle in in his old age. It is clear that those around him were recognising that God is with Abraham in everything he did (v22), Abimelek called Abraham a foreigner in the land that God has promised Abraham to give to him (v23). Abraham doesn’t argue but rather agrees to the requests of Abimelek as a man who trusts God (v24). Beersheba is mentioned in the Bible numerous times, mostly defining the limits of where the Israelites lived after entering the land of the promise. Abraham believed God, and he made a treaty with Abimelek who again seems to claim ignorance as an excuse on how his people behave (v26). Abraham believed that this is the place where God wanted him to settle, and he showed this by planning a tree signifying probably Abraham planting his roots in the promised lands and there he called on the name of Eternal God (v33) signifying again that even if Abraham was to die, God’s promise will not for his descendants. For us today, we may feel like foreigners on this planet even though everything belongs to God the maker of heaven and earth. And we too await on the Eternal God to come and fulfil His promises to bring us safely to His eternal fellowship in Christ Jesus. Pray with me that we would trust God and live in peace under the authorities He has setup for us until He puts all things under Jesus Christ our Lord’s feet (1 Tim 2:1-3).QUESTIONAre you quick in trying to settle conflicts with others?ABOUT THE AUTHORSam is an Assistant Minister with our Assyrian and Arabic churches, as well as our Fairfield English Morning Church.