Altar Before Well
In Genesis 26, we encounter a profound lesson about priorities. The scripture tells us: “So Isaac built an altar there and called on the name of the Lord. There he pitched his tent, and there his servants dug a well.“ (Genesis 26:25)
This sequence reveals an extraordinary perspective. Isaac first built an altar and called on the Lord—establishing a place of worship. Then, he pitched his tent—setting up his temporary dwelling. Finally, his servants dug a well—addressing basic survival needs. In a land where he sought to establish himself, Isaac’s first priority wasn’t survival or shelter. It was communion with God.
The contrast in Isaac’s choices speaks volumes. For God, he built something lasting—an altar. For himself, he settled for something temporary—a tent. Even after God had prospered him, Isaac maintained this eternal perspective. Like Jesus would later teach about storing treasures in heaven, Isaac demonstrated through his actions that true wealth lies not in temporal possessions but in our relationship with God. While tents and wells serve their purpose, only what’s built for God endures.
Our natural inclination follows the reverse order. When moving to a new location, we typically dig our wells first—securing a job and stable income. Then we pitch our tents—finding comfortable housing and establishing our lifestyle. Only after these are settled do we think about building our altar. We prioritize survival, then comfort, and finally—if time permits—our spiritual life. Isaac’s example challenges this worldly wisdom.
Building an altar in our modern context means deliberately carving out sacred space before anything else takes root. It’s about making God our priority, not our last resort—transforming prayer from an afterthought into our primary response.
In practical terms, this means establishing consistent rhythms of connection with God. It’s about creating a dedicated time and space for prayer each day, engaging deeply with Scripture rather than settling for rushed readings, and allowing God’s Word to shape our decisions and actions. It means joining a church community not just as attendees, but as active participants in God’s kingdom work. Most importantly, it’s about cultivating a heart that turns to God first, before wells of security or tents of comfort capture our attention.
What makes Isaac’s example remarkable is its authenticity. In a moment of prosperity, when he could have rested in his success, he chose to build an altar first. This wasn’t about religious duty—it was a profound declaration of where true security lies. In putting God first, Isaac wasn’t just arranging priorities. He was acknowledging the source of all blessing and establishing a pattern for generations to follow.
As we stand at the threshold of a new year, Isaac’s example thunders across the centuries with startling clarity: we build first what we value most. The world will tell you to secure your survival first. Common sense will urge you to establish your comfort. But Isaac’s legacy calls us to a higher wisdom—one that dares to build altars before digging wells, that chooses to establish the eternal before securing the temporal.
What will you build first in this new year? Your answer won’t just shape your calendar or your commitments. It will reveal your heart, define your legacy, and determine whether you’re building on solid rock or shifting sand. The altar awaits. Will you build it?
