In going forward with the Lord, it is important as disciples to be careful not to get stuck in the present time with the promise given by God.
Based on the birth of Benjamin (Note: ‘son of the right hand’), as the youngest son of Jacob, at whose birth his mother Rachel died, we can know the call of God to not get ‘stuck’ in the old or worn-out time (cf. Genesis 35:16-19).
Genesis 35:16-19:
16 Then they moved on from Bethel. While they were still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel began to give birth and had great difficulty.
17 And as she was having great difficulty in childbirth, the midwife said to her, ‘Don’t despair, for you have another son.’
18 As she breathed her last – for she was dying – she named her son Ben-Oni. But his father named him Benjamin.
19 So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem).
Genesis 35:16-19:
16 Then they moved on from Bethel. While they were still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel began to give birth and had great difficulty.
17 And as she was having great difficulty in childbirth, the midwife said to her, ‘Don’t despair, for you have another son.’
18 As she breathed her last – for she was dying – she named her son Ben-Oni. But his father named him Benjamin.
19 So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem).
The Birth of Benjamin and the Entry into the Great Time of God
How interesting to notice that Benjamin’s birth took place on the road between two localities, which were on the one hand Bethel (Note: ‘house of God’) and on the other Ephrata (Note: ‘fruitfulness, fertile area, bearing fruit’). Benjamin was the only son of Jacob born in the Promised Land.
The birth of Benjamin should serve as an indication to us that, with the authority given to us by God, in Christ, we go in His promise to the new place predestined by Him, in order to establish the quality of our fellowship with Him there. This place is in the context of the open heaven and is filled with the power of the Holy Spirit to produce a greater measure of the fruit of the Spirit (cf. Galatians 5:22-23).
Galatians 5:22-23:
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
In the way that the prophet Ezekiel was drawn into the fear of the LORD because of the size of the rims of the wheels by the four living creatures, we as God’s people are entering into a great time of God that must be rightly discerned (cf. Ezekiel 1:18).
Ezekiel 1:18:
18 Their rims were high and awesome, and all four rims were full of eyes all around.
18 Their rims were high and awesome, and all four rims were full of eyes all around.
It is the fear of the LORD which is the ‘birthplace’ of wisdom, so it reveals to us that uniting with the advancement of God, wisdom is brought forth that we are in need of for the coming time (cf. Psalm 111:10).
Psalm 111:10:
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.
The Four Living Beings, Their Wheels, and the ‘Brooding’ of God
Furthermore, the four living creatures with their wheels clearly show that the LORD was enthroned over them, which is akin to a governing spiritual brooding. It is like the time of Jesus when He lived on earth while looking toward Jerusalem and longing to ‘brood’ like a hen over His people (cf. Ezekiel 1:26 i.c.w. Matthew 23:37).
Ezekiel 1:26:
26 Above the vault over their heads was what looked like a throne of lapis lazuli (Heb. ‘Tarshish’), and high above on the throne was a figure like that of a man.
26 Above the vault over their heads was what looked like a throne of lapis lazuli (Heb. ‘Tarshish’), and high above on the throne was a figure like that of a man.
Matthew 23:37:
37 ‘Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.
37 ‘Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.
The Heavenly Father longs to bring new life into existence through His spiritual ‘brooding’ or birthing. This is clear from the prophet’s statement that he saw God’s ‘loins’ and took them as a spiritual starting point, which points to the bearing or brooding or even bringing into existence of spiritual life (Note: His promise for this time) (cf. Ezekiel 1:27-28).
Ezekiel 1:27-28:
27 I saw that from what appeared to be his waist up he looked like glowing metal, as if full of fire, and that from there down he looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded him.
28 Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. When I saw it, I fell face down, and I heard the voice of one speaking.
27 I saw that from what appeared to be his waist up he looked like glowing metal, as if full of fire, and that from there down he looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded him.
28 Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. When I saw it, I fell face down, and I heard the voice of one speaking.
Therefore, as God’s people, we need to allow the new thing that God is bringing forth to break through in our spirit man, which can be manifested through travailing prayer.
The Awareness of the Guidance of the Holy Spirit
In such spiritual birth stages, it is essential that we are aware of the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit who, like Rachel’s midwife, stands in the future and sees the new emerging from the ‘worn out’ as well as helping us to stand secure in the promise of the future under open skies as well as to go forward in revelatory truth (cf. Genesis 35:17 i.c.w. John 16:13).
Genesis 35:17:
17 And as she (Note: Rachel) was having great difficulty in childbirth, the midwife said to her, ‘Don’t despair, for you have another son.’
17 And as she (Note: Rachel) was having great difficulty in childbirth, the midwife said to her, ‘Don’t despair, for you have another son.’
John 16:13:
13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
In this process it happens that by the Spirit of truth the old and even sinful patterns are pointed out to us, which are mistrust, worries and doubt, to break with them.
Here it is of great importance to be ready to leave the worn-out time to enter with the Holy Spirit into the newness of the Heavenly Father. Such decisions cost a price and are mostly related to the submission of our own will to the will of God (cf. 1 Peter 5:6; Proverbs 21:30).
1 Peter 5:6:
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
Proverbs 21:30:
30 There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord.
30 There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord.
If we don’t want to surrender to God’s guidance, the consequence is that we stay in a worn-out time and thus are not able to correctly discern the new things that the LORD is doing, although in them lies hidden the authority of the Ecclesia -the church- for the future.
=> Times of transition or transformation always take place when the Lord redefines something and makes the necessary adjustments to guarantee the progress of His people. Here He reveals to us what we should keep our eyes on while He gives the direction. Furthermore, the Lord teaches us and reveals Himself in a new facet.
A transition in the literary sense is a sentence that connects the last thought or section with a coming one. Therefore, it is important that we ask the Lord for revelation as well as for us to recognize His ways in a time of change.
The perspective He reveals to us is the bridge between the past period or season and the new time. Without clear revelation and communication, the power and wisdom gained through past victories may be lost.
In a birth, this transitional phase is the most difficult phase. It is the time when the woman in labour feels: “I can't take it anymore!” Only the gaze of the child who is coming gives the perseverance and endurance towards this aim of maintaining the family and even securing the inheritance.
It is not the new that is coming that is so difficult to handle, but rather it is the transition from the old to the new state is the difficult thing. What matters is how we respond to the phase of transition before the Lord establishes the new in the earthly realm, which reflects the realm of the Spirit as a shadow image.
Therefore it is important to proceed with the right strategy and protect the coming promise.
Phases of change are closely related to the process of expansion, in which it is necessary to live within the structure of the new wineskin. The term ‘enlargement’ means that something expands, releases and increases in form, or increases in scale and intensity. <= (note: The text set in ‘=>’ is based on the message ‘At the Crossroads of Change’ by James W. Goll from the year 2013)
The New and the ‘Economic Type’ of God
Regarding the new, the LORD revealed that it is, among other things, an ‘economic type’ that works or serves from the governmental realm of God’s redemption, as indicated by the name ‘Benjamin – son of the right hand’.
Since Jesus Christ sits at the right hand of God and the right hand of the LORD retains the victory, the presence of divine government, redemption, and triumph can be seen in this (cf. Mark 16:19 i.c.w. Psalm 118:15-16).
Mark 16:19:
19 After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God.
19 After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God.
Psalm 118:15-16:
15 Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous: ‘The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!
16 The Lord’s right hand is lifted high; the Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!’
15 Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous: ‘The Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!
16 The Lord’s right hand is lifted high; the Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!’
Moreover, the newness goes hand in hand with the quality of the relationship to the Word of God and the new age, as indicated by the statement of the prophet Micah in which ‘Bethlehem – house of bread’ is mentioned before the ancient name ‘Ephrata – fruit region, fruitful, bearing fruit’ of the place (cf. Micah 5:1-2).
Micah 5:1-2:
1 Marshal your troops now, city of troops, for a siege is laid against us. They will strike Israel’s ruler on the cheek with a rod.
2 ‘But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.’
1 Marshal your troops now, city of troops, for a siege is laid against us. They will strike Israel’s ruler on the cheek with a rod.
2 ‘But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.’
Intimate spiritual fellowship with Christ Jesus as the Bread of Life in the form of the Word of God leads to fruitfulness on many levels.
Here, the colour appearance of the wheels of the throne chariot, which look like ‘Tarshish’ and which bear the ‘brooding’ presence of God, has a mystery about the ‘economy’ of God. For it was the ships from Tarshish that brought King Solomon the riches (cf. Ezekiel 1:16 i.c.w. 1 Kings 10:22; 2 Chronicles 9:21).
Ezekiel 1:16:
16 This was the appearance and structure of the wheels: they sparkled like topaz (Heb. ‘Tarshish’), and all four looked alike. Each appeared to be made like a wheel intersecting a wheel.
16 This was the appearance and structure of the wheels: they sparkled like topaz (Heb. ‘Tarshish’), and all four looked alike. Each appeared to be made like a wheel intersecting a wheel.
1 Kings 10:21-22:
22 The king had a fleet of trading ships [Heb. ships of Tarshish] at sea along with the ships of Hiram. Once every three years it returned carrying gold, silver and ivory, and apes and baboons.
22 The king had a fleet of trading ships [Heb. ships of Tarshish] at sea along with the ships of Hiram. Once every three years it returned carrying gold, silver and ivory, and apes and baboons.
2 Chronicles 9:21:
21 The king had a fleet of trading ships [Heb. ships of Tarshish] manned by Hiram’s servants. Once every three years it returned, carrying gold, silver and ivory, and apes and baboons.
21 The king had a fleet of trading ships [Heb. ships of Tarshish] manned by Hiram’s servants. Once every three years it returned, carrying gold, silver and ivory, and apes and baboons.
The ‘Ship of Economy’ of the Ecclesia
Since the ‘ships of merchant’ play a significant role in the fall of economic Babylon and provide a certain kind of refuge, a principle of preservation/salvation can be seen in this for those who move from the corrupt ‘system of Babylon’ into the care of the Spirit-filled Ecclesia (cf. Revelation 18:16-20).
Revelation 18:16-20:
… 16 and cry out: ‘ “Woe! Woe to you, great city, dressed in fine linen, purple and scarlet, and glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls!
17 In one hour such great wealth has been brought to ruin!” ‘Every sea captain, and all who travel by ship, the sailors, and all who earn their living from the sea, will stand far off.
18 When they see the smoke of her burning, they will exclaim, “Was there ever a city like this great city?”
19 They will throw dust on their heads, and with weeping and mourning cry out: ‘ “Woe! Woe to you, great city, where all who had ships on the sea became rich through her wealth! In one hour she has been brought to ruin!”
20 ‘Rejoice over her, you heavens! Rejoice, you people of God! Rejoice, apostles and prophets! For God has judged her with the judgment she imposed on you.’
… 16 and cry out: ‘ “Woe! Woe to you, great city, dressed in fine linen, purple and scarlet, and glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls!
17 In one hour such great wealth has been brought to ruin!” ‘Every sea captain, and all who travel by ship, the sailors, and all who earn their living from the sea, will stand far off.
18 When they see the smoke of her burning, they will exclaim, “Was there ever a city like this great city?”
19 They will throw dust on their heads, and with weeping and mourning cry out: ‘ “Woe! Woe to you, great city, where all who had ships on the sea became rich through her wealth! In one hour she has been brought to ruin!”
20 ‘Rejoice over her, you heavens! Rejoice, you people of God! Rejoice, apostles and prophets! For God has judged her with the judgment she imposed on you.’
Here it is not left out that those who have ‘conspired’ (Note: brought into alliances) with the Babylonian system suffer great economic losses, but are saved in spite of all this as if through ‘fire’ (cf. 1 Corinthians 3:12-15).
1 Corinthians 3:12-15:
12 If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work.
14 If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward.
15 If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved – even though only as one escaping through the flames.
12 If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work.
14 If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward.
15 If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved – even though only as one escaping through the flames.
Amen and Amen.
In His Wisdom,
Daniel Glimm
