YAHWEH EBENEZER

Names are much more than just the beautiful meaning they convey. There is a purpose and an intention behind a name. This is certainly the case with the names we give to our children.

One of the names of our LORD is EBENEZER. The word itself means – “STONE OF HELP!” When Philistines were breathing down the neck of the people of Israel, and they were sore afraid, the prophet Samuel reminds them of their sin, and the need to repent and return to YAHWEH, the LORD God Almighty – “3…“If you return to the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths from among you, and prepare your hearts for the LORD, and serve Him only; and He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines.” – 1 Samuel 7:3

Then the people of God cry out to the LORD, and seek His face in repentance at Mizpah, under the guidance of prophet Samuel – “6 So they gathered together at Mizpah, drew water, and poured it out before the LORD. And they fasted that day, and said there, “We have sinned against the LORD.” And Samuel judged the children of Israel at Mizpah.” – 1 Samuel 7:6

Then LORD gives them a resounding victory over the Philistines – “the LORD thundered with a loud thunder upon the Philistines that day, and so confused them that they were overcome before Israel. 11 And the men of Israel went out of Mizpah and pursued the Philistines, and drove them back as far as below Beth Car.” – 1 Samuel 7:10

To commemorate this victory that the LORD gave them, prophet “12 …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.” – 1 Samuel 7:12

The LORD is always willing to stand with us, and help us. He has helped us in the past, and He surely will in the future. There need not be any doubts about it. However, it is with us, and our rebellious and sinful nature, that needs our careful and constant attention. Therefore, let us return to the LORD, our God, our Creator, our Saviour and Redeemer. Let us lift Him up always, and seek to praise and worship Him with all our heart, mind and soul. Even so, the LORD help us.