Separation or Departure?

 Current devotions are in I Samuel 20.  David is in fear of his life from King Saul.  King Saul is so jealous he wants to kill the man who has "stole his thunder."  "Jealousy is as cruel as the grave." (SOS 8.8) 

So, David comes to a stone named "Ezel."  If one believes that in God's economy nothing is done without "purpose or plan," (Jer 29.11, Rom 8.28) then the meaning of this stone is significant in the life of every believer.

"Ezel" means separation or departure and also, the stone that sheweth the way. 

Are you at a "crossroads or turning point in your life?"  If you are not now, you soon will be.  It is the way in the life of every believer - like the ocean - every changing and moving. 

click on photo for explanation

The Stone of Ezel

“Jonathan said to David... "And when thou has stayed three days, then thou shalt go down quickly, and come to the place where thou didst hide thyself...and shalt remain by the 'stone Ezel.'" (I Sam 20.19)

Ezel means either separation or departure. Hence the stone of separation or the stone of departure. Ezel also signifies “The stone that sheweth the way.”

What this tells us is that David is now at a place where the decision is no longer his. He is waiting for his fate to be decided by another, or better yet, decided by God.

The story within this story is the stone! It’s the stone of destiny, because from this stone David was shown the way he was to go.

And that stone is Jesus Christ (Isa 28:16, 1 Pet 2:4, 1 Cor 10:4, Matt 7:24). Jesus as that stone shows us the way. He is our stone of destiny.

Like David, we really don’t know whether we’re coming or going half the time, and so we need to wait upon the Lord, and as we wait, He renews our strength (Isa 40:31). And while the circumstances we find ourselves in are out of our control, we place ourselves, we hide ourselves, in Jesus, and He will guide us in the good and right way.

So, let’s take our stand at the Empty Tomb and the Stone Rolled Away.

Ps 57.7, Amen

In quiet faithfulness, nothing gets unnoticed

 In the account of Leah's fifth son, Issachar, meaning "reward," see the link below to be reminded your "quiet" faithfulnes is never unnoticed.

Old age dangers for the believer

The wisdom of Solomon tells us in  Pro 16.31, "The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness"  Hoary is defined as white or gray with age.  Thus, aged folks should have wisdom in the way of righteousness.  Especially believers of "old age." 

Do they?

Beware some of the dangers and pitfalls in the story of Isaac and his scheming wife Rebekah and son, Jacob.  The fallout being broken relationships with close family ties as well as with God.  Wonder if Jacob ever had fellowship restored? It doesn't seem that Rebekah did. Isaac would've died saddened he was so misled.  Read more to see what this blogger sees.

Genesis 27

• Fleshly comfort before faith - Isaac, in his old age thought only of physical comfort.  He told Esau, "make me savoury meat, such as I love, and bring it to me, that I may eat; that my soul may bless thee before I die."

• Scheming before faith - Rebekah overheard the request and began to scheme and spake unto Jacob.  She said,  "I will make them savoury meat for thy father, such as he loveth:... And thou shalt bring it to thy father, that he may eat, and that he may bless thee before his death."  

What I don't understand is why Jacob was favored over Esau.  Other than further scripture that draws the attention to a higher doctrine; (Rom 9.13)

• Manipulating  accomplice - Why was Rebekah willing to take "the curse" away from Jacob?  Why did she prefer one son over the other?  A lesson here.  God is no respecter of persons.  (Acts 10.31 He is not sentimental, He is holy (I Pet 1.16, Mt 7.14)  Believers are directed to a straight, holy path. "Upon me be thy curse, my son: only obey my voice,"

• Wary discernment - How is it that thou hast found it so quickly, my son? Heb 4.12 explains the Word of God as the way of discernment.  The Lord Jesus also gave us "another" in the Holy Ghost in Jn 16.13 

• Discernment unheeded -  See, the smell of my son is as the smell of a field which the Lord hath blessed: Let people serve thee, and nations bow down to thee: be lord over thy brethren,... "Passing the buck" instead of taking responsibility for lack of discernment. Isaac should have followed up with more inquiry but his appetite got the better of him.  (I Cor 5.7) -  Thy brother came with subtilty, and hath taken away thy blessing.

• Reaping lack of faith -  (Gal 6.7)  Sowing and reaping never change. Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him:

• Rebekah denying her part in the coverup - Until thy brother's anger turn away from thee, and he forget that which thou hast done to him:

• Depression because of scheming - I am weary of my life

To conclude these thoughts it is easy enough to see the dangers of yielding to fleshly feelings and desires over the Word of God and discerning guidance of the Holy Spirit.  In the words of a wise old Sunday School teacher, "when in doubt, DON'T!"

In His Name, Site Moderator, Ps 57.7