WTFMT 85 9FROM HGM ON 8 DEC 20)

WILDERNESS TRUTHS FOR MODERN TIMES-85

TEXT: "So Abraham returned unto his young men, and they rose up and went together to Beersheba; and Abraham dwelt at Beersheba."    (Genesis 21:19)

I.   ENLARGEMENT

      A.  The adjustment is made; the dwelling place is found, after severe testings.  Abraham underwent a severe test in offering Isaac to God.  After this he "returns to his young men, and they arose and went together to Beersheba."

      B.  Enlargement always comes to those who are to be used of God.  Abraham takes up residence in Beersheba after the test, the trial.  It is also after the provision of the ram caught in the ticket (Genesis 22:13).  In the case of Ishmael it is after the provision of the well (Genesis 21:19).

      C.  So, this is the pattern; AFTER testings and trials, AFTER the discovery of provision, AFTER adjustment, contentment, and satisfaction Beersheba is found to be a good dwelling place.  It is not so good at first sight that everybody gas flocked there.  It's crowded.  Those in Beersheba find that they have a lot of elbow room.

       D.  We saw a few weeks ago, Isaac had trouble finding elbow room in other places.

             "And he removed from thence, and digged another well; and for that they strove not: and he called the name of it Rehoboth; and he said, For now the LORD hath made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land. ²³ And he went up from thence to Beersheba."  (Genesis 26:22-23)

Rehoboth (strong #7337-7344) means to enlargement or make broad open places.

      E.  The further removed we are from the striving masses, the roomier life becomes.  Isaac moved from Gerar to Beersheba, which becomes his dwelling place.  Beersheba as well as Rehoboth, is a roomy place.  There's nobody there who is going to give him a rough time, nobody to say, "Hey! That well is mine!"  The strivers don't even know the well is there.   

       F.  Maybe he dug this well in secret, where the striver could not see him at work.  

            "But when his brethren were gone up, then went he also up unto the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret."  (John7:10)

There are some things we must keep between us and God.  There are some works that must be secretly done.  Away from the eyes of the strivers, away from the hands of the those who would take advantage and waste our effort.  Like digging a well. 

      G.  We need to be learn by example of Jesus how to shut our mouth.  Be taught when and where to share. A word spoke at the wrong time does nothing, but one word spoken at the right time has changed history.

      H.  Away from eyes even things from the beginning of time was done away from man eyes, all done in secret, but always come into the light.

                 "That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world."  (Matthew 13:35)

It is amazing how God can keep a secret.  And us? 

      I.  God's real work is done in secret where no man can see.  The changing of or not changing of our hearts is done in secret.  The changing of motives, intentions, and attitudes is first done in secret, then openly manifested to the world to see.

           "For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad."  (Luke 8:17)

Whatever we are the world will see.  God will make sure of that.

 II.  PARTING THOUGHTS

      A.  There is a lot of room in God.  And there is a relationship between roominess and our life with God.   

      B.  Enlargement is what Israel sought and was promised from the time of their deliverance from Egypt.  And Beersheba relates to this enlargement, the inheritance of Israel: "From Dan even to Beersheba,"

           "Therefore I counsel that all Israel be generally gathered unto thee, from Dan even to Beersheba, as the sand that is by the sea for multitude; and that thou go to battle in thine own person."                     (II Samuel 17:11)

The was the extent of the Promised Land, as far as Israel possessed.

      C.  In God through Christ Jesus is where our inheritance is found.  Through our relationship, our commune what we have made with God, like Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob of the Old Testament.  Then we can inherit the promised land: from earth even to heaven.