SUNDAY August 18, 2019
The Rock of Escape
But a messenger came to Saul, saying, “Hurry and come, for the Philistines have invaded the land!” Therefore Saul returned from pursuing David, and went against the Philistines; so they called that place the Rock of Escape. Then David went up from there and dwelt in strongholds at En Gedi.
1 Samuel 23:27-29
Saul surrounded David and his men on one side of a mountain. God intervened. All of a sudden, Saul received news from a messenger that the Philistines had invaded the land. God sent Saul to fight a battle against the Philistines and turned Saul completely around. He caused a diversion and stopped Saul from pursuing David. Who created this battle against the Philistines? The Lord! I love that! God showed He was the One in charge! God delivered David.
As there had been a huge rock, David called the place God had delivered him from, Selahammahlekoth (KJV). The Hebrew meaning for this word is “Rock of Passing” or the “Rock of Escape.” David passed through into the beautiful territory of En Gedi. This is an incredible place of refuge with waterfalls and wild goats. God had provided David and his men with food and fresh water. They could stay in the strongholds of En Gedi and rest.
Imagine, Jesus is our Rock of Escape. As sinners we have escaped God’s judgment. Remember, Moses in the wilderness was angry with God’s people who cried out for water. He was told by God to hit the rock once, but he smote it twice (Numbers 20:7-12). Moses misrepresented God to the people. He should have only hit the rock once. Why? This was a type or shadow of Jesus who was smitten once. He died once and for all––one sacrifice was made for our sins on the Cross (Hebrews 9:28).
Like David, how wonderful it is that we can rest in God. He is in control. God has delivered us from our enemy Satan and death (Hebrews 2:14-15). God’s finished work on the Cross brings us to a place of spiritual rest.
Christ, our spiritual Rock, had to be smitten in order for us to partake of the life-giving stream that flows from His cross.
~Henry Gariepy~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!