You Hem me in Behind and Before

9 January

A new week arrives in a blaze of heat. The wild wisterias wilt, and the air hums with insects. As the sun climbs to its apex, birds fall silent deep in their leafy refuge. The ginger Tom lies stretched out and limp under the apple tree. Our old dog Shadow crawls stifly into a cool hollow in the soil. Muddy mountain paths turn to gritty dust, and we long for the cool mists as one longs for an old friend

While the blistering heat causes most creatures to become sluggish, it seems to encourage the cicadas to crank up their buzzy ninety decibel love song. As children we used to call them Christmas beetles or sonbesies (sun beetles). Male cicadas have drum-like structures on their abdomens, and by flexing and popping these " tymbals" in and out hundreds of times per second, they produce the high-pitched sound we've come to associate with the hot, cloudless days of Summer.

11 January

I continue my exercise in "discipline" by writing down some insights gleaned from a Bible study we've started, simply called "Slaying Giants".* (A picture of Ruth comes into my head, meticulously gleaning the life sustaining grain behind the workers in the field.)

Growing up as the youngest daughter of staunch "Dopper" (Dutch Reformed) parents, we had to go to Katkisasie (catechism or Sunday school) every Sunday after the morning church service. My memory is a bit vague about these classes, but I remember Bible stories as a littly, and being drilled as a teenager by the "ouderlinge" (elders) for confirmation. Part of the discipline and rigour of church life was good, and it established a firm foundation for us to build on. But for me there was always something missing, like warming yourself by a candle, when there is a bonfire beckoning in the distance. Perhaps it was my own heart that was not open and "malleable" for the Spirit of the living God to reveal himself to me. The intimate relationship with Jesus that I inadvertently longed for, did not exist.

12 January 

But God is so patient. And He really has had to be with me, ever prone to wander and procrastinate... 

Back to the Bible study: Most of us know from small the account of Israel's exodus from Egypt, with stern, bestafffed Moses in the lead. The first thing that stood out for me is that they "marched boldly" out of Egypt (Exodus 14:9). They didn't sneak out, quivering in their sandals, they marched, implying that they were focussed, courageous, and of one mind. I know, only a few verses later when they realise Pharaoh and his chariots are in hot pursuit, they're bemoaning the fact that they left the fleshpots of Egypt in the first place, and really giving Moses a hard time. Moses stays steadfast, and just hear what he says to the people of Israel in verse 13, after they'd basically announced that they'd prefer to serve the Egyptians thank you very much! "Moses answered the people, "DO NOT BE AFRAID. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today, you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you, you need only to be STILL."  Now that is my kind of motivational speech.

From what I could remember, Israel were happily marching along, when Pharaoh realises he's loosing cheap labour and hops in his buggy drawn by fierce steeds with flaring nostrils and foaming muzzles, and gives chase. (He obviously didn't read David's Psalm about trusting in chariots and horses...). By the time he and his army catch up with them, Israel are camping on the beach. They look up in fright, drop their braaibroodjies (toasted sandwiches) in the sand and start wailing. Moses gives his speech and God tells him to stretch out his staff over the Red Sea to neatly divide the deep, briny waters. The children of Israel recover from their panic and are marching again, mouths agape this time. They stride through the walls of water on dry land, and when Pharaoh tries to follow, he gets a nasty surprise and his chariot becomes the first submarine. But jokes aside, is this how it happened?

This is the account from the Bible, as written down by Moses himself in Exodus 14. After God tells Moses to stretch out his staff over the sea, an amazing thing happens. V19 - "Then the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel's army, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them, coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel. Throughout the night, the cloud brought darkness to the one side and light to the other side, so neither went near the other all night long."

The angel of the Lord who had been traveling in front of Israel's army  - the distinct presence of Yahweh, who had been there with them and leading them, every moment since they left Egypt. Notice that Israel is now referred to as an army - soldiers for the Lord, who had been marching with purpose up to this point.

The pillar of cloud - God himself had been going in front of the people of Israel "by day in a pillar of cloud and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they may go by day and by night."(Exodus 13:21). This was no ordinary cloud, it was the visible symbol of God's presence in the midst of His people.

Stood behind them - the angel and cloud which have been going before the Israelites to guide them, now shift behind, to protect them. "You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me." Psalm 139:5

Coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel - the cloud obscures the enemy from Israel, as it was the sight of Pharaoh and his men advancing that caused them to be fearful. They took their eyes of God and focussed on the seemingly dire situation instead. Sound familiar?

- It also obscured visibility for Egypt's army, so they could no longer pursue. God took an active role in Israel's defence.

- It would have been a visible sign to Pharaoh that the God of Israel is powerful and there for His people.

Throughout the night - God promised deliverance, but they had to wait out the night to receive it. "But they who wait upon the Lord, shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, and they shall walk and not be faint." ~ Isaiah 40:31

The cloud brought light to the one side and darkness to the other - we don't need to guess which side was in the dark and which side was bathed in glorious light. "The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear?" ~ Psalm 27:1. "God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all." ~ 1 John 1:5

I pray that you may also find tremendous encouragement from this account. God is for you, He is with you, He fights for you, He is mighty to save. He surrounds you with His love and protection. Keep your eyes on Him, there is no pain or problem that you cannot overcome with God. May He transform you through the renewal of your mind. May He give you the courage to slay giants and the boldness to tell the world of His might, glory, goodness and grace.

                                    ~•~•~•~•~••~•••~••~•~•~•~•~

* Slaying Giants, a Bible Study on finding your courage and conquering fear, by Darlene Schacht from timewarpwife.com