Mahanaim – means two camps two camps and also refers to a dance.
It is first mentioned in the Bible in Genesis Ch 32 v2.
Jacob has just entered a covenant with his Father-in-law which effectively keeps them apart and enables Jacob to press on into the direction that God had commanded him, in respect of returning to the promises of God.
Perhaps the Angels encounter him here due to his oath when he was escaping from his brother, having stolen his blessing.
God had made a promise to him that he would be with him wherever he goes and would bring him back to the land.
Jacob had not realized that the reality of God was part and parcel of the birthright and the blessing. Jacob had not be conscious that angels were with him, and that they were revealed by God to give Jacob a sense of security, despite his lonely predicament! Lest we forget that Jacob was not the son out hunting game. Jacob was not equipped by temperament or experience for the journey ahead of him.
Jacob then does a very human thing, and responds to Gods great promise with a personal vow, with an ‘if’ inserted. What is endearing about Jacob pitiful vow, is that is does contain honesty! Despite the Lord being the Lord, as yet Jacob was honest about not having yielded his life into his hands.
Jacobs response, is not akin to a bride, nor a widow who remarries. His response is very masculine, and very fallen. God has just opened heaven to him, and made him a promise that will be kept. And instead of heart worship, Jacob postpones relinquishment of his own strength to some future date. Here, we have great scope within Christendom, we may have had are eyes opened to Gods glory, but we may be a long way from laying down are natural strength to be girded by his.
In this we have echoes of Paul the apostle who wrote the book of Romans. Paul, just like Jacob, needed his hip to be put out of joint, so that another girded him and took him where he did not want to go. The revelation of God, will take you into territory you may not want to go, unless your will is surrendered to his will. Now Gods promise to Jacob had no negatives. And so it is towards all believers. So this issue of relinquishment comes down to trust, Isaiah Ch 55.
God has warned Laban in a dream, bringing closure to Jacobs time in Paddan-aram, to ensure he does not do or say anything good or bad to Jacob. Clearly, God keeps his promises and at the key moments that the Lord needed to reveal himself and manifest his authority and sovereignty he does.
This is quite a profound truth. The revelation of Gods authority is woven into his covenant promises to man! Here we have the great truth that made the apostle Paul dance. This separates Christianity from Islam – as the son of promise is free born.
The revelation of Gods authority is not separate from his relationship and covenant promises to man. The promises of God are steadfast and certain. Believers in the Son, can have an assurance of salvation that is as real as the reality of God.
God is specific to Laban he is not to speak good or bad – he is commanded to be neutral. Jacobs time away, in which he gets married and has most of his children and acquires much substance as a man, in his career is to be deemed neither good or bad.
We know that it was good that Jacob married and had children etc. But is is interesting that God did not want Laban speaking good. This is a great exercise in that great commandment not to judge another. Laban, knew some of Jacobs character flaws, and some of his strengths, but true spirituality leaves a mans strength in Gods hands. And how often speech comes forth about ones brethren that lacks the maturity of leaving them in his hands! Gods word is the original word of promise, and only the original word of promise can set the prisoner free. Only Life in the promises can enable us to walk with God again in the cool of the day.
The seed that crushes the serpents head, is the seed of promise, God always keeps his promises. And only God can fulfill his own word. And yet, he chooses to reveal the authority of his Word through his manifestations unto mankind.
Laban! What a character.
Laban to whom the Lord has appeared in a dream, Laban who had welcomed Abrahams servant. Laban who knew the narrative of Nahor and Terah’s God. He claims his idols. What a peculiar thing idols are. Little comforts that wrap themselves around are unrelinquished hearts. Rachel had coveted their comforts too. This is a great mystery, and we catch glimpses here of Gods absolute magnitude, that does not strike down pilgrims to a black or even empty tomb. God is perfectly secure in the mandate of worship being his love first.
Idols are affections that give us comfort, but they cloud are vision of Gods great grace. God is a God of all comfort. And idols are essential barriers to both growth and expanse. Idols keep a man or a women locked into the original state of affairs, they prohibit and frustrate the inward man from knowing the wonder of worship in all things, great and small.
Both Laban and Rachel wanted the idols, not realizing that their possession blocked clear view of GOD, a God who has made exceeding great and many promises.
Thankfully, Rachel abandons them when it really counts. And when she does her whole extended family, is sovereignly shown the wonder of God. That despite them having acted deceitfully and meted out their own judgement, God would directly protect them against any who dared attempt to invalidate the truth of Calvary! When we embrace the narrative of the cross, as are open heaven, no other god or judge or accuser can prevail! That was a covering truth unto the whole extended family.
What a benefit burying idols is. We are instantly brought into a dynamic spiritual realm, where God himself subdues all are enemies – this is the antipathy to the ‘if’ bargains of man, which have the root of human strength being solely relied upon. What a comfort for a mother to realize that her children and their descendants shall be blessed because the living and all powerful God had promised. The great expanse of liberty, the revelation of almighty God. What room do idols have, when worship spring from within are hearts.
Thank God for the cross, thank God for the promised blessing that crushes satan’s lies. Idols are carved out of mans need for comfort, due to his blocked/blinded vision of his friend. Idols can’t liberate because they are founded upon a lie, the lie that being are own judges of good and evil can fulfill a likeness unto God. Are likeness to God is only ever found in the Son of his love, the Son sets free.
God appears to Laban, and opens his understanding to thoughts and ways higher than his own. Gods grace is bigger in the life of are brethren than what we can judge.
Despite this opening of Laban’s understanding, he still asks for his idols, no wonder John the baptizer cried that the axe would be laid to the root of the tree, from whence such things are carved.
Here we catch a glimpse of Pauls’ conversion, that had made an idol out of the law, prohibiting him from being married unto another. Blind to the grace of God, manifested at Calvary and revealed in the garden. The same Grace that did not thunder and strike down dead Laban, was the same grace that transformed Pauls thinking. When Paul preached to the Athenians, it was not a word of condemnation, but a vibrant expanse to the reverberating word that is life!
In a world of hustle and bustle, of tensions and struggles. Of fears and plaques. Of wars and rumors, and of famine. You can have life, and a life that is set free from wanting anything that belongs to another. God is authentic, and his word of light always gives a life set free. Gods word fulfills Gods word, worship is surrender to the God of Calvary. Where the two are made one.
God, brings one significant chapter, of Jacobs life to closure. His sending out. But now he must face his return. His encounter with his brother to whom he had deviously, tricked out of his fathers blessing. Gods appearing to Jacob at Bethel with the angels ascending and descending was after he had to leave the promised land for a season. God in his great wisdom, opened Jacobs eyes to see prior to his encounter with his brother heavens hosts.
God did not come to Jacob and wrestle with him, and force him to yield. No, God saw fit at this juncture to reveals angels, as he had when he dreamed. Angels are Joy filled servants of the Lord, who are not plagued by ‘if’s, they know who they worship and adore. And Gods authority within the realm of men, has no less certainty, Stephens face shone.
This encounter was necessary for Jacob, scripture does not fully elaborate. But it is of note that Jacob follows the pattern of heaven! Jacob sends messengers on ahead.
I guess here their is much gospel extrapolation here! Missionaries are messengers, and perhaps even in respect to Israel having returned to the land promised to the land promised to the patriarchs – messengers precede the encounter with the King – and the Son shall return to this earth, again.
Jacob followed the pattern of heaven. Messengers arrived at Joppa, BUT when Peters words agreed with Gods word of promise, the blessing came beyond expansive. Spontaneous liberty. The word spoken from Peter brought an open heaven to the gentiles – was not the life of the son of liberty reverberating inside of Peter.
Messengers preceded Jacobs encounter with the Son, of Gods love. Isaac had blessed Jacob, and Rebecca had loved him. But Jesus had seen Jacob in the womb, just as he had Paul the apostle, and had great pity on the sinew of human mechanisms to bring about Gods blessing. We need Jesus, because he has been loved without any inequality. That is a prophetic word for are times: Jesus has been loved without any inequality by his Father in heaven. This is the original truth concerning birthrights and blessings – he has been named, revealed and manifested in these last days, so that the truth will make you free, freedom from your own judgements of good and evil, free due to an intimacy with Gods extravagant grace.
Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life – he is the only one through whom we know the embrace of God as are Father.
I am a son of the King, that knowledge cant be destructive to the great expanse, only wonder at the hardness of hearts still blinded to his life. I am a son of the King, has no if in it, this is the place procured by Jesus at Calvary, even Pilot deemed it to be truth.
No fault in him. No vengeance, no bitterness, no argument, no protest, not even a campaign. Just a relinquishment into his Fathers hands.
Not only is Jesus the only answer to the cry of equality he is also the solution to the foundations that cry comes from – Knowing and trusting a Faithful and incorruptible Father, who will never leave you nor forsake you.
Two camps! The messengers and then an encounter with the Son.
Two camps, Laban’s and Jacobs.
Two camps, Angelic and Jacobs.
I haven’t understood it all, but it is noted that Jacob divides his camp into two, once fear strikes him at the news of 400 men in pursuit.
Esaus response to his brother is a marvel, it has heaven pressed down upon it comprehensively. It is the greatest miracle of Jacobs life.
It is a profound mystery, but it is the greatest revelation of Gods sovereignty from heaven to his creation and affairs with mankind. Esau receives Jacob as a loving Father would, Esau personifies the heart of a Father, as revealed in Luke Ch 15.
And little wonder, we are all set free from bondage by the Son of Gods love. Set free from the sinew of are works and striving to please God. Set free from are wild wondering in the wilderness of Sin, in far away lands, prodigal in heart and flesh.
Here we have a perfect outworking and contrast to Laban with Jacob. Jacob has no idols that his is holding onto, his has just wrestled with the blessed One all night and that was a figure he could not conform to a carved form: It was in his very image, face to face they met, and moved.
Jacob had both hands engaged, his whole body, mind and will with the blessing! What does such a relinquishment bring. And is this not why as believers we love Israel. The inheritance is fully revealed at Calvary, where the Son of God was fully engaged, body, mind and will.
To be fully engaged in the blessing. Be fruitful and multiply. No wonder the Church grew after Pentecost. Esau’s response is the polar opposite to Laban, it is actually a perfect response, Esau speaks as if he has been in Christs finishing school for a decade!!
Considering the narrative, considering what comes later in the annuals of Israels history between brethren and different houses it is incredible to consider the wonder of Esaus inward graces.
And this is the spiritual principle, when we leave the judging into Gods own hands. He is Lord of All, Lord and sovereign over Esau’s response – this is a supernatural realm that is not confined to a place of two camps but it is the beginnings of Miracles when are hearts are without guile.
The messengers and then the Son. The blessing benefits others, this is the Mandate of Heaven, this is the foundation stone of are faith. Jacob saw with New Testament eyes, the grace that Ananias spake to Paul. Paul was blind, and his zeal and strength had had all its sinew taken from it, from a tornado of 400 men breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord. In his place of weakness, he found the covenant promises just as true: Behold he prayeth! Jacob has also prayed.
Have mercy on me, forgive me, remember me! God loves to answer the travails of his Son. He has been named to save the greatest and worst sinners of all the human dire race. So run the race looking unto Him.
Can we dare place Esau in a place akin to Ananias. Gods grace knows no partiality, the Spirit of God sets the prisoner free.
Jacob saw the finished work of Calvary through the embrace of his brother Esau who he had swindled out of the blessing! You cant cheat anyone out of Gods blessings, Gods blessings is going to benefit them come what may. Oh if only this was understood in every male. No hardness to rejoice with those who rejoice, no competition, no comparing of oneself amongst themselves – its not the wisdom that comes from above. Freedom, to love, freedom to give, freedom to be content with that which God has assigned, to each his measure.
The transformation occurs when we see that the blessings is for others benefit.
God sent thunder and rain so that the people knew that he had wanted a direct intimacy with each individual. But in the fullness of time that would be wrought through the ascension of the King of all Kings.
David is then anointed to be king, taken from chewing the curd of Bethlehem, to be Gods anointed. But during his tenure, he grievously sins and Psalm 51 is penned from his repentance.
However, their where consequences for his sins. His nephew Joab had carried out the instructions, it is not a surprise that latter he struggles with accepting his reign. Perhaps Joab, looked back and thought it was where everything started to get complicated.
I have heard a preacher say that David raped Bathsheba, due to the principle of reaping what you sow. In that Ammon raped his sister Tamar.
It is not surprising that Absalom, having Tamar in his home for two years had grown more focused on not just the act but greater the hatred with which he had disposed of his precious sister. She had been full of vibrate life and a willing helper, tricked and deceived out of her birth right and blessing by the eldest son of the King. Where had he learned that such a thing could ever be done in Israel.
Yet, David, despite his depravity had not so acted as to hate Bathsheba. He was not a proud man in this respect, and took ownership for her welfare.
Could David be critiqued, despite his sin, for not having been more hands on with such an event. After all, he had lost the child of his gravest error in exerting his own strength. Their had been a measure of Judgement already. On this point I am limited, but it goes without saying that personal sin compromises your authority.
But David also understood the lessons of Jacob. David knew that what Nathan had spoken would come to pass, and David knew that only Gods provided sacrifice could deal with the root problem in Ammon.
And as the story unfolds David only ever grieved for his Son Absalom. Despite conspiring to dethrone him, and despite having dishonored him before all Israel. David knew that it was as a direct consequence of his personal sin.
This gives us great insight into New Testament grace. And teaching on how to restore such a one. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. 1 John Ch 1 v8 – Ch2 v2.
What sets David apart as the King of Israel, from the first King is how he responds to the challenge to his throne. David does not protest, does not get bitter and does not go on a riot and pillage. David abandons himself into Gods hands and will. David reveals that the God of Jacob doesn’t change, his Word of promise has the same nature of light behind every word.
Joab, Absalom, Shimei, Ahithophel and Sheba all make the grave error Laban was commanded by God not to do. He is the Judge of the whole world, and he will show himself to be faithful on that great day. That does not mean that civil society does not need the justice system or law and order, to the contrary it does.
And David shows all the fallen sons of men, that if they will humble themselves God will highly exalt them. Authority can be regained in respect to God working on are behalf to restore to us that which the locust has eaten. David is even used to bring a reconciliation of kinds for the Gibeonites. And even for the concubine of Saul, God mysteriously guides his anointed to ensure that honor and righteousness, dignity and respect are seen upon the land. Making a distinction from the heathen nations.
God is not indifferent to are plight. God hears the cry for equality. God knows the journey of the centuries. But its the Son of his Love, One born king of the Jews who in the land of all Gods promises procures a Justice of the greatest inestimable worth: Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us.
When David leaves Jerusalem, his destination is Mahanaim. Had he had his own way, his son would not have been slain.
And upon his return, where did David cross the Jordan. What we do know is that it was not far from the place from whence God supernaturally stopped the waters from Adam. This vicious cycle of the blame game, mans first response to being the judge of his own affairs. This juncture and place of encounter was a defining place for ISRAEL. It is the promise that comes to us through Gods second man, full of Grace and Truth.
Mahanaim was also the place that Ish-bosheth and Jeroboam fled! I guess it was correctly called two camps! And we are either in the Son or outside in the other camp.
But the great news concerning the Jordan, is that we can cross over into him, Gods provided sacrifice: For this my Son was dead & is alive again, was lost and is now found.
Solomon is crowned King, according to the covenant, according to the miraculous grace of God that prevails over Judgement: What manifold Wisdom is this.
King David has a Song of Deliverance.
Davids last words: 2 Samuel Ch 23 v2-5.
Uriah is named as the last of the mighty men. The thirty seventh of the thirty! I guess they didn’t use to number the people, and it never hindered the supernatural anointing upon this band of men. God through the inspiration of scripture leaves Uriah last, to put his seal of approval upon this mighty man
Solomon has one song penned. Known as the Song of Songs. It is born out of Gods redemptive love, his unflinching commitment to the birthright and blessing given sovereignly to his image upon earth: God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply, and have dominion’.
In Chapter 6 the bride goes into the garden and see the fruit, whether it is in bloom.
The other ladies delight in her beauty, and implore her to return, not once but four times. This speaks to me of the bride that comes from within Him, after the four rivers of Eden. And in that respect its a returning to the tree of life, from the heathen ways and nations – the Lord being their God – being fed and clothed by Him.
Gill exposition draws out this that certainly speaks into the transition from the flesh into the insurance policy of the promises of God:
Return, return, O Shulamite; return, return,…. By whom the church is meant, so called from her being the spouse of Christ, the true Solomon; it being common for the wife to have the same name with her husband; thus, with the Romans, if the man’s name was Caius, the woman’s name was Caia: is the name of Christ Solomon? the church’s name is Shulamite; see Jeremiah 23:6. The word from which this is derived signifies both perfection and peace; and the church may be called the Shulamite from her perfection, not in herself, but in Christ, in whom she is complete, and perfectly comely through his righteousness; and is also denominated from the peace which she has from Christ, and he has made for her through his blood, and he gives unto her by his Spirit; and from what she does or should enjoy in her members, and from what she will be possessed of to all eternity. Now the church, the Shulamite, is very importunately desired by the daughters of Jerusalem to return; which is said no less than four times, which shows how vehemently desirous they were of her company: and perceiving she was about to go from them, most earnestly press her to return, or to “turn” (b); to turn herself, that her beauty and comeliness might be more plainly seen; for this is the end proposed by them,
that we may look upon thee; that they might still have more opportunity of viewing her, and more narrowly to examine her beauty, for which she was so much commended; and that they might enjoy more of her company and conversation, which had been, and they might hope would be, more useful and instructive to them. A question upon this follows,
What will ye see in the Shulamite? which question is put, either by the daughters among themselves; some wishing for her return, and others asking what they expected to see in her, should she return: or rather it is put by the church herself; who asks the daughters, what they expected to see in her, a poor, mean, unworthy creature, not fit to be looked on, having nothing extraordinary, nor indeed valuable or of worth, in seeing of her? Which question is thus answered,
As it were the company of two armies: either by the daughters, declaring what they expected to see in the church; either such a glorious and joyful meeting between Christ and her, as is often between great persons, attended with singing and dancing; so the word for company is rendered by the Septuagint (c) “choroi”, a “company” of those that dance and sing; see Psalm 68:24; or such an appearance as an army makes at the reception of their prince, when it is divided into two bands, for the sake of greater honour and majesty. Or rather this answer is returned by the church herself; signifying that nothing was to be seen in her but two armies, flesh and Spirit, sin and grace, continually warring against each other; which surely, she thought, could be no desirable and pleasing sight to them; see Romans 7:23.
Both Jamieson- Fausset-Brown & Bensons commentary provide useful insights on the two camps being brought together in Christ. Pulpit is always worth reading.
https://biblehub.com/commentaries/jfb/songs/6.htm
Joab is one character in this narrative who fulfills David command without protest despite it being wrong. Who facilitates Absalom’s return. And yet takes his life against his Uncles expressed wish! And then at the close of that book, tries to prevent David numbering the people. Shakespeare couldn’t write the script, but Gods mercy triumphs over the tragedy.
Barzillia is a beautiful character in this narrative. Having given of his resources to David when he fled Jerusalem. It has aspects of Simeon who came into the temple under the inspiration of the God who always keeps his promises. Let your servant depart in peace for my eyes have seen the true King of Israels return.
It oozes class and dignity, flowing from both sides. The king honored Barzillai and in these principles we have something of the love wherewith we are to love the brethren. Barzillai needed the King and vice verse. Their is something in this narrative of the Father heart of God, and the purpose of crossing over the Jordan. Moses didn’t enter the land, but Barzillai travelled some of the way. And he also displays the great principle of God in all blessings received, he passed it onto other men: 2 Timothy Ch 2 v2.
This man Brasilia is the key stand out Character of the whole passage. He who brought his resources to the King while he was in need at two camps Mahanaim. This man crosses the Jordan with the King, and the King kissed him and blessed him. It was a pure encounter concerning Gods anointing, and what is good for all the people. Honour, dignity and friendship, not for selfish gain, but the encouragement of one another until He returns. Transcending generations.
Crossing the Jordan is about being in the Lords camp.
Gen Ch 12 v2-3
I will bless you, so that you will be a blessing. In you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.
We see this being literally outworked with Jacob as he returns into the land promised to his Fathers.
Pic below from notes jotted Tuesday morning:
eternalrays 