Broken Cisterns
Jer 2:11-13 Has a nation changed its gods, which are not gods? But My people have changed their Glory for what does not profit.
12 Be astonished, O heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid; be very desolate," (dried up) says the LORD.
13 "For My people have committed two evils: they have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, and hewn themselves cisterns-- broken cisterns that can hold no water.
A cistern is artificial reservoirs for storing water, specifically, an underground tank for catching and storing rainwater. For about half the year, rainfall in Palestine is scarce, falling mainly during the winter months. As a result, it was important that water be stored during the rainy months for the long dry season.
A cistern differs from a well in that a well is fed by underground water seepage, while a cistern stores runoff rainwater. In most cities, each house generally had its own cistern. Rain falling on the roof was collected and channeled to the cistern, usually situated beneath the house.
Most references to cisterns in the Bible are symbolic. In writing of the peril of adultery, Prov 5:15 says, "Drink water from your own cistern, and running water from your own well." Jer 2:13 describes God as a "fountain of living waters"-a cool, pure, natural spring. But Judah’s unfaithfulness amounted to "broken cisterns that can hold no water."
Empty cisterns were used as prisons. So Joseph was cast into a "pit" or a cistern. Jeremiah was placed into one miry at the bottom, and so deep that he was let down by cords. Cisterns yield only a limited supply of water, not an ever flowing spring; The stonework of the tanks often becomes broken, and the water leaks into the earth; and, at best, the water is not fresh long.
While we were in Israel we visited Masada, which was Herod’s mountain fortress located on the west shore of the Dead Sea just south of Engedi. The magnificent view from that stronghold was incredible. One of the most fascinating characteristics of this location is the cisterns that were scattered through this hill to make sure the people had enough water to drink. One especially was very large. If my memory serves me right I believe it was at least fifty feet deep and seventy feet across.
The need of the cisterns was because the people had no fresh water. There were no springs or streams from which to drink. It was a very dry and arid land and water was it greatest commodity. Even in the villages guards would be stationed at the wells by the gate. If the enemy found that the well was unsupervised they would sabotage it and poison the waters.
Please listen to me with an open spirit I am going to be as transparent as possible. I have been privileged to have been in some great moves of God where it seems the rain of heaven was unending. I have also witnessed times of great drought to the point of wondering will it ever rain again. I have found that within my own ministry when it seemed the rain of God was falling I would hew out cisterns where I could store up what God was doing and then I would have something to draw from just in case God didn’t show up. I have files upon files of messages I have preached some of which were highly anointed of God and others, well, let’s leave it at that. We are continually trying to make things happen in the church to insure that God is operating in our behalf.
In times of weariness and frustration I would find myself going to the cistern to draw rather than to the well. I have considered "my cistern" a storehouse or a pantry where I could take from my reserve and feed the people. Besides it was much quicker especially since we live in a "Fast food" society. It came as no surprise when I found that which I had placed in the cistern had lost what I treasured most, "the anointing."
In keeping with the environmentalists I would find myself recycling parts of old messages I had previously preached to bring them something new. However, if it has been in the cistern long it has bacteria growing on it and it takes more than revision to remove it. No name no blame, but there are ministers who preach the same messages over and over again. I am aware we learn by being repetitious but we have become ridiculous.
Ps 63:1 O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;
"For My people have committed two evils: they have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, and hewn themselves cisterns-- broken cisterns that can hold no water.
Man is born with thirst because all men are in need of spiritual refreshment. We find ourselves trying to quench our thirst by the elements of this world.
You and I know better but we do it anyway. We involve ourselves with every project that comes down the pike trying to fill the void the only Christ can fill. Only Jesus can satisfy your soul. Let’s talk about the problems that arise when we forsake our God. "Oh, I would never forsake my God." We just fail to visit with him.
When we cut off our supply of living water we begin to dig out cisterns. We try to bring fulfillment to our lives by things and stuff. The greatest loss of the prodigal son was not the food, which he craved but rather the father whom he had forsaken. God is the fountain of living water. His refreshing grace is ever flowing. There is no stagnation when the water flows directly from the Rock.
God makes the fresh stream and man makes the cistern. Cisterns have limited supply and God has a never-ending supply. We try to satisfy our thirst with the offers of this world. What little water we have in our cisterns leaks away because they are made of earthen vessels.
God has placed hunger and thirst in our nature. We have desires that we try to satisfy with the things of this world.
Eccl 2:7-11
7 I got me servants and maidens, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of great and small cattle above all that were in Jerusalem before me:
8 I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces: I gat me men singers and women singers, and the delights of the sons of men, as musical instruments, and that of all sorts.
9 So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me.
10 And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour.
11 Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.
I am rediscovering the value of going to the well rather than to the cistern and drawing out that which has become stagnate. Stagnate water becomes a breeding place for a critical spirit and a fault finding heart.
