The Christian’s purpose in this world is to be a godly witness and testimony for God. We are to be a shining light (Matt 5:16) for Christ so that God will be glorified by our lives. Our witness and testimony will have an impact on the lives of others, our families and ourselves as seen in Isaac’s testimony (Gen 26:26-35).

In Genesis 26, Isaac gave up his rights of owning the wells in which his servants had dug after the herdsmen of Gerar had strove with his herdsmen (Gen 26:19-21). This was despite the fact that the wells belonged to Isaac through the covenant which his father, Abraham, had made with Abimelech (Gen 21:32). This act of Isaac in giving up his rights to what was rightfully his made an impact on Abimelech, Ahuzzath and Phichol, so much so that they testified that the LORD was with Isaac (Gen 26:26-28). As a result, there was peace between Abimelech and Isaac (Gen 26:31).

We must be mindful that our actions and testimonies will always have an impact on others even if we do not realize it. Our lives must always be a godly witness for Christ even if it means we have to give up that which is rightfully ours. Our behavior must be different from that of the world because we are God’s children and we want others to see God in us.

After this, Isaac’s servants dug another well and water was found in the well (Gen 26:32). This impacted Isaac personally as he witnessed and experienced the faithfulness, goodness and providence of God in his life. Isaac then called it “She-bah” (i.e. oath). The city of Beer-sheba was named after this (Gen 26:33). It is a reminder of the faithfulness of God to His children. Besides having head knowledge of the Word of God, we must also be wise and obey by applying His Words into our lives so that we may also experience and taste the goodness of God in giving us His peace and delivering us out of our trials and tribulations when we obey and do His will.

Bad witnesses and testimonies, however, will leave a bad impression of God in the minds of the people around us. In Genesis 26:34-35, Esau (Isaac’s older son) married two Canaanite women (against the will of God), thus causing great grief to Isaac and Rebekah (Gen 26:35). We must be mindful that our actions or inactions can also make a great impact in the lives of our family members (parents, children, etc).