The Two Wells

In the ancient world, people in towns, villages, and cities relied on wells. Without it, there was no subsistence and no life. Wells in general mean dependence, life, and provision. Water is essential to human life and continued existence. Just as a well is a source of physical provision, the intellect becomes a kind of inner well from which a person draws understanding. Without man’s intellect, he could not do such things. Man has accomplished some amazing things. We live in an age of high technology where man has never been more convinced of his own glory as he seeks justification from within by his own works. 

The intellect is a gift from God. It’s the part of the mind that processes understanding—working with imagination, memory, and the senses. The intellect draws from the heart like a battery and cannot be separated from creation. 

As the eye cannot operate independently of the foot (for both are members of the same body), man is not independent of God’s creation. He is a part of it, subject to its laws and ordinances. Man is a spiritual being in a created body. God is a Spirit. Therefore, it would be reasonable to interpret that the Spirit and spiritual things, in general, have dominion over the physical. 

In Scripture, physical things can serve as illustrations of spiritual things for our admonition and edification. This sets the picture for the use and purpose of the well—a source of living water. 

So, which well are you drinking from? The deep well of the Word of God? Or the shallow well of the intellect? In the following verses, we will discuss these ideas to get a deeper understanding of what God tells us. 

The State of Man’s Intellect 

1 Corinthians 2:14 — “The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God… neither can he know them.” 

Spiritual things can only be understood by a person who has drunk from the right well and has been born again. Many drink from the wrong well—the well of mammon and its thousand flavors to try and fill the hole inside them that sin leaves. The natural man is conceived in and born in iniquity (sin), just as David said (Psalm 51:5). Fortunately, we have an advocate in Jesus Christ the Righteous, who IS our righteousness. His righteousness is put on us, or imputed, at the moment of salvation. 

God Opens Hagar’s Eyes 

Genesis 21:19 — “And God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water; and she went, and filled the bottle with water, and gave the lad drink.” 

• God opened Hagar’s eyes to the well, and she gave the water to her child—a picture of parents giving their children the gospel, the true water of life Jesus spoke of. 

• Cast into the wilderness, Hagar learned that God Himself becomes the provider, and we too are born into the wilderness of a sin‑cursed world needing His provision. 

• God opens the eyes of those who thirst for righteousness, and He answers the humble heart that calls out to Him when no “well” seems in sight. 

• Hagar’s moment shows the sufficiency of God—even when we feel lost and empty, He is able to meet every need and guide us to the living water. 

  
  

The State of Man’s Heart 

Genesis 6:5 — “Every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” 

• Our sin nature means our thoughts and intentions cannot be trusted. 

• The heart is the seat of sin in the body (Matthew 15:19). 

  
  

The State of Man’s Depravity 

Jeremiah 17:9–10 — “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” 

• The world says follow your heart; God says it will deceive you. 

• We don’t know a person’s heart, but God does (1 Samuel 16:7). 

  
  

Pride and the Intellect 

Proverbs 1:7 — “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” 

• Fear—deep reverence and respect—of the LORD is the starting point of drawing from the right well. 

• Only fools think the intellect is greater than God’s knowledge, wisdom, etc. (1 Corinthians 1:25). 

  
  

How to Keep the Right Well 

Proverbs 4:23 — “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” 

• You keep your heart with an active, obedient, and submissive faith wrought in prayer, reading of God’s Word, and regular church attendance (Psalm 119:105). 

  
  

The Temptation of Intellect 

Proverbs 27:19 — “As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man.” 

• Looking inside yourself, you will be deceived. 

• Looking to another man, you will be deceived. 

• Look to God. 

  
  

The Intellect Deceives 

1 Samuel 16:7 — “Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.” 

• We only see so deep; God sees and knows all. 

• We can hide things from others, but not God. 

  
  

Pride of the Intellect 

1 Corinthians 8:1 — “Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.” 

• Knowledge can lead to pride (stay humble). 

• Love spreads and teaches truth; it builds up. 

  
  

The Solution 

Proverbs 3:5 — “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” 

• Let go and trust God fully, nothing held back. 

• Lean on His Word, not money or anything else. 

  
  

God’s Power in Your Life 

1 Corinthians 1:19 — “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.” 

• God’s wisdom makes anything else pale in comparison. 

• No matter how careful you are or how far ahead you can see, if it is of man, its worth is nothing compared to God’s wisdom.

  
  

We Look to the Beginning to Finish Our Conversation 

Read Genesis 26:18–22  

These wells were deep, contested, and symbolized God’s provision. Rehoboth means “God makes room.” Jacob’s well is a picture of God’s provision; it was there for multiple people. Isaac was on fire for God. He saw God’s provision and kept going after it. Why? Because God is sufficient—because God provides. 

We rely on God’s creation. We are not, and can never be, independent of God’s creation. Rebellion doesn’t remove dependence on God. God lets us choose the well, but either way He supplies and lays the foundation of both. That’s free will from a loving God. Human intellect is not a path to God; our own righteousness is as filthy rags before the Lord. The Lord is our righteousness. His mercy is that He makes it rain on the just and the unjust, that all would come to Jesus Christ. 

Cain in the Bible represents rebellion and the well of the world—fixed, man‑made systems where people try to control their own provision. His life shows that even in rebellion, a person still depends on the creation God made but chooses to drink from the wrong source. Abel represents the well of God—a shepherd who follows natural water and depends on God’s leading. The way of Cain is drawing from human systems and self‑reliance; the way of Abel is drawing from the living water Jesus offers, trusting the Shepherd who guides His people. The question is simple: which well are we drawing from—the world’s, or the One who gives living water? 

One of the most pivotal moments in the Bible is when Jesus said He “must needs go through Samaria” (John 4:4). This was the first time the gospel was to be preached to the Gentiles as the Jews would reject Jesus. Jesus’ offering of living water to the Samaritan woman is an offer of eternal salvation, blessings, wisdom, and so much more. 

Every day we have is a blessing—to live or not live for God, to serve or not serve.  

Which well are you drawing from today.