I think that marking an occasion is one way of raising an Ebenezer.
What is an Ebenezer?, you ask.
Ebenezer Scrooge? No.
An obscure line in the hymn "Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing"? Getting closer.
An obscure line in the hymn "Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing"? Getting closer.
The real root of the word is in the Bible, in I Samuel 7.
After a series of battles with the Philistines, Samuel had called Israel to repentance and they had responded. They gathered at Mizpah...they fasted, they confessed their sin, and repented. But as they were gathered, word came that the Philistines were again coming against them in battle. They called out to God, and Samuel offered sacrifices. The Lord answered with a "great thunder" that confused the Philistines, and Israel soundly defeated them.
(Now we come to the Ebenezer part.)
After a series of battles with the Philistines, Samuel had called Israel to repentance and they had responded. They gathered at Mizpah...they fasted, they confessed their sin, and repented. But as they were gathered, word came that the Philistines were again coming against them in battle. They called out to God, and Samuel offered sacrifices. The Lord answered with a "great thunder" that confused the Philistines, and Israel soundly defeated them.
(Now we come to the Ebenezer part.)
Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen, and called its name Ebenezer, saying "Thus far the Lord has helped us."
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Ebenezer: "Stone of Help"
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I propose that celebrations can be a sort of Ebenezer. As we mark an occasion, a milestone, or a holiday, we can say, "Thus far the Lord has helped us."
We can celebrate that birthday person while being mindful that God has brought him into our lives, while thanking Him for the circumstances of her birth, while rejoicing in the blessing that this person is to us."Thus far the Lord has helped us."We can celebrate that milestone of graduation or anniversary or first day of school with gratitude for God's intervention and acknowledging that He has directed. It is His gift. "Thus far the Lord has helped us."
We can celebrate a holiday with sincere hearts, hearts that are mindful of the purpose of our festivities, hearts that are filled with gratitude for what He has done. "Thus far the Lord has helped us."
Marking an occasion as an Ebenezer, a "stone of help," can make all the difference in how we celebrate!
I've always loved this song and this phrase!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it neat how we can see everything as "Thus far the Lord has helped me?" Even bad news - we can cling to the ONE who has always helped us.
And yes let's celebrate what the Lord has done for us!
Deanna
...and because we know that He has helped us thus far, we know that He will keep right on... Thank you for this closer look at an old, familiar hymn and not quite so familiar (to me) scripture.
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful thought you've shared, dear Cheryl. Wonderful scripture and an apt explanation :)
ReplyDeleteCheryl, I love how this changes the focus of our celebrations, It helps put things in perspective!
ReplyDeleteKim :-)
Ohhhh, I like that!!!! It really
ReplyDeleteparelles some thoughts I've been having lately...thanks!
My mother's family motto was Ebenezer. There are extended family photos around a sign bearing this name/word. Her grandfather would change the definition to "Hitherto hath the Lord done it ALL." ! And God, through the family, did accomplish some significant things.
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