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Chrissy
Chrissy's blog
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Running from Babylon and Learning to Love it!
4 stars|4 comments|November 11, 2007|396 reads
 
Yes, you think I am nuts, but I was up at the crack of dawn for my QT with the Lord. With a 4 yr old, it seems to be the only real time I can be alone with the Lord--even showers aren't sacred anymore, as he bangs on the door asking about his toy or a snack! God rewarded my time with some great insight. I love when he does that!

"Leave Babylon, flee from the Babylonians! Announce this with shouts of joy and proclaim it. Send it to the ends of the earth; Say the Lord has redeemed his servant Jacob." Is 48:20

Lately, I have been studying Daniel, and Babylon--The mentality of the Babylonians focused on superficial things--youth, beauty, intelligence. It was worldly, focusing on self-absorption and excessive consumption, materialism and idols--all things intended by the enemy to replace God. Hmmmm...sound familiar? The focus of Western society today IS the Babylonian mentality.

I mention this because this verse is telling us something very important. FLEE BABYLON! In other words--FLEE FROM THE THINGS OF THIS WORLD! And not only flee, but be joyful and shout about it. Why? Because the Lord has redeemed his servant Jacob.

Huh? Yeah, that's what I said. Why would it say Jacob, and not Israel? I just couldn't let it go. So, I began examining this.

Before his name change, Israel was known as Jacob. When named as an infant, he was named for his attempts to be first born from the womb, thus, Jacob's name means "supplanter". MW list supplanter as meaning:

1: to supersede (another) especially by force or treachery

2 a (1)obsolete : uproot (2): to eradicate and supply a substitute for b: to take the place of and serve as a substitute for especially by reason of superior excellence or power.

Isn't this what the enemy does when he uses Babylon to entice us away from GOD, to decieve us into believing that material things are necessary, to uproot our faith and replace it with self-absorption, to substitute our adventure with God for an adventure on the plasma?

If you recall, Jacob wrestled with God at one point, and God changed his name. He said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome.” Gen 32:38.

Friends, the name Israel means a Prince with God. God took his name--Jacob the supplanter-- and changed it to Israel--A Prince with God. As God’s children we are all Princes and Princesses, thanks to Jesus! The Lord has redeemed his servant Jacob--he no longer was seeking things of this world, and he gave him a new name and position in the Kingdom!

It is hard to resist the culture we live in, but God calls us to do just that. Our focus needs to be on Him. Daniel did it.. think we can too!

God bless!

Chrissy Mt 6:34

 

 

 
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Deb Rockwell
 Deb Rockwell
November 12, 2007
Thanks for sharing this!
Philomena
 Philomena
November 14, 2007
thanks Chrissy,

i just want share a lil about the change of name - i realised that in the bible, God placed a lot of importance on names. whenever He wanted to use someone He would first change the primary thing that identified him in his past(i.e his name) to something new that would identify him with God. take abraham, sarah and the jacob as you mentioned. and these were not the only people, even the isrealites themselves placed a lot of importance on names; Noami asked her people to call her Mara (meaning bitter) because of the experiences she had suffered. - Ruth 1: 20 - 21

the point i want to make is that, as God calls us He changes our names also from "sinners condemned to death" to prince and princesses who can share in His eternal glory. THAT is certainly something to shout about and procalim with joy. AMEN.

thanks for sharing
Tony
 Tony
November 14, 2007

I’m reading a book now by Steve Gallagher called “Irresistible to God” I bought two different ones from him, the other is called “Intoxicated with Babylon” This is what is written on the back cover.

 

“Stunningly desirable and extremely treacherous, she deceives her victims with a soothing voice and a licentious spell. She runs a halfway house to hell, and many are the victims she has brought to ruin. Babylon is not a place but rather the seducing spirit of Antichrist, which has quietly infiltrated the pulpits, pews and bookstores and homes of the Christian ranks. Armed with a vast array of worldly charms and enchanting indulgences, she has deceived believers into exchanging a vibrant life in God for the empty shell of powerless religion. Intoxicated with Babylon rips the mask off this harlot’s face and exposes how she has subtly woven her mindset into the fabric on the end-times Church. It is a sobering wake-up call to a slumbering and sensuous Church to return to holy living.”

 

When I read your blog, I ran to go get it to reread what was written on the back. I had to share this J  I’m looking forward to reading it and see just how insightful he is on this subject. We all must admit though with divorce rate being the same as non believers and the amount of “prosperity” and “name it claim it” preaching going on, he’s on to something. Well Chrissy, those early morning rises sure are paying off!!

P.S. I agree with you. I think we can too..... 

Chrissy
 Chrissy
November 14, 2007
Hey, Tony!  I love that we are tracking on this!   Its so cool to see something confirmed in the body of Christ!  I haven't read the book, but I may run and pick it up this weekend!  I think I might copy what you posted and paste it in my wallet!