Professor Kingsley continues to draw our attention to the recurring image of wells throughout the biblical narrative, which continue on into the New Testament. Today’s focus is on John 4, a well story focused on Jesus Himself.
The Old Testament Well Pattern
As we’ve seen, wells are not just ordinary meeting places in Scripture, and instead often serve as the backdrop for God’s providence and faithfulness. The common theme of providence seen in both Genesis 24 and Genesis 29 is God’s faithfulness to provide both Isaac and Jacob with wives, allowing for His covenant promise to continue and make Israel into a great nation. This pattern continues into Exodus 2 with Moses. Similarly to Jacob, Moses is found in a situation running from his stepbrother who is trying to murder him. He comes to rest at a well, where he intervenes with the conflict between a group of shepherds and the daughters of the priest of Midian. Because Moses defended them, the priest of Midian shows his gratitude by giving his daughter Zipporah to him in marriage.
Jesus at the Well: A Shift in the Pattern
However, in the New Testament, Jesus’ encounter at the well does not follow the same pattern of provision of a wife at the well. In John 4, weary from His travel, Jesus stops to rest at a well. He meets a woman at the well and starts conversing with her, yet the woman was a Samaritan. The Samaritans were despised by the Jews, a people group that one would not normally engage in conversation with. And yet, the Lord chooses to intentionally engage with her. Through their conversation, Jesus saves the Samaritan woman. Her heart is transformed and leads her to belief in the Lord, the Anointed One and Messiah. Her changed heart and testimony was so compelling that it led many other Samaritans to put their faith in the Lord as well. The Lord, the living water, provides more than an earthly relationship at this well. He provides eternal life for those who believe!
This blog post captures the essence of Professor Jared Kingsley’s series on Jesus and the Wells. You may click on the video above to hear more insightful details about the provision of the LORD shown through the image of the well. Professor Kingsley is professor of Hebrew and Old Testament for The Master’s University traditional on-campus program.
