A People That Dwell Alone

by R. Lindsay, Hamilton | Category: General | Jan 1968

The words of Balaam, as he st6od amid the high places of Baal and looked on Israel, indicated what then was, and should have remained the chief characteristic of the people of God, "Lo, it is a people that dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the nations" (Numbers 23.9). The blessings which Balaam proceeded to speak of Israel, and the promise of future victories which he made, were all dependent on their continued separation from the peoples around. It is sad indeed to read how quickly the separated position of Israel was lost as they joined themselves to Baal-peor and bowed to the gods of Moab. In consequence, the promised blessings were replaced by divine judgements. Only when repentance for their transgression was shown was the judgement stayed from the people, and the power of their God once more manifested among them.

God's covenant dealings with men, and the attendant blessings, have. ever being on the basis of their separation from all around. Before ever Israel as a nation was established, as the Lord began His workings which were to culminate in the development of His purposes in them as His peculiar people, His call was heard by Abram in Ur of the Chaldees. It was a call to separation, linked with a statement of divine promise, "Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto the land that I will show thee: and I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great: ... and in thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed" (Genesis 12.1-3). It is to his abiding credit that, faced with such a choice, "Abram went, as the Lord had spoken unto him". From that day, his life was that of a pilgrim, and "he became a sojourner in the land of promise" (Hebrews 11.9). His separation was costly, yet who that reads his story can doubt that in it he knew much of the presence of God, and enjoyed great blessing?

When Israel had been redeemed from Egypt, they came to Sinai, where the covenant of the Lord was established with them. It was a covenant which was bright with promise. The nation so recently delivered from the humiliating bondage of the brickfields was offered the prospect of being "a peculiar treasure unto Me from among all peoples,... a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation" (Exodus 19.5~). But once more there was a qualifying clause, "If ye will obey My voice indeed". Never again did Israel reach such heights of spiritual experience, for as the book of the covenant was read in their hearing, they responded as one man, "All that the Lord hath spoken will we do, and be obedient" (Exodus 24.7). It is surely significant that the closing words of the divine charge to Israel at this time contained the clear instruction to drive out the inhabitants of the land, and "Thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor with their gods. They shall not dwell in thy land" Exodus 23.32-33). It would have been well for Israel if this command to separation had been heeded. Judges 1, however, contains the record, repeated with a regularity which makes sad reading, that the tribes failed to drive out the inhabitants of the land. Some they made tributary. Others they allowed to dwell among them. There seems to have been little doubt among the people of God that they could, without apparent danger to themselves, share the land with the peoples whom the LORD said must be driven out. It was with a profound sense of shock that Israel heard the pronouncement by the Angel of the Lo~ that, because of their disobedience in this matter, the nations among them would be as thorns in their sides (Judges 2.3). Their subsequent history shows clearly that this was so, and that the price they paid for this transgression was a high one. Israel stands as a clear warning to us of the dangerous ease with which our separation can be compromised and of the spiritual loss this will bring.

There can be no doubt that it is the purpose of God that in His people today should be vested the promises of divine position made to Israel at Sinai. The words of Peter are remarkably parallel to the promise through Moses, "Ye are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession" (1 Peter 2.9). To those who "in time past were no people, but now are the people of God", this divine position is indescribably sweet, for it brings us into a sphere of privileged service which is unique among men. It should also cause us to be continually aware of our responsibility of implicit obedience to the word of our God who has so richly blessed us. We must beware lest, as did Israel, we lose our power and blessing by failing to maintain our separation.

As Israel at Sinai were commanded to be a separated people, so also it is necessary that God's people today maintain a position of separation from all that is not according to His will. To the church of God in Corinth the instruction was plain, "Wherefore, come ye out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch no unclean thing" (2 Corinthians 6.17). The validity of this command is as real today as when it came from the pen of the apostle. To obey it is to run counter to the thinking and example of many for whom amalgamation, rather than separation, is important. In pursuit of this amalgamation, divine principles are being compromised, in order that a widely acceptable basis of union may be found. To the child of God who seeks in faithfulness to do His will, the issue is clear, "Be ye separate, saith the Lord".

In Acts 2.41-42, the pattern of New Testament churches of God was established. Seven things are stated of the disciples who thus were gathered: (1) They received the word; (2) they were baptized; (3) they were added; (4) they continued steadfastly in the apostles' teaching; (5) in the fellowship; (6) in the breaking of bread; (7) in the prayers. This pattern of the church of God in Jerusalem was the pattern of all churches of God in apostolic days and must, therefore, be the pattern of all churches of God today. From every movement which fails to conform thereto we must, in obedience to the command of the Lord, remain separate.

Separation from all that is not according to the divine will is not, as some would suggest, an arid, experience. On the contrary, it is a path which leads to a fulness of spiritual blessing which may not otherwise be enjoyed. To the Corinthians Paul held out the assurance that in their separation they would know the presence of God with them. He reminded them (2 Corinthians 6.16) of the promise made by Jehovah to Israel in the early days of their nationhood, "I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people" (see Leviticus 26.12). This, like so many other promises made to God's people, was dependent on their obedience to His word. The Corinthian assembly could not fail to realize the point the apostle was here making. The presence of the Lord among them, with the assurance of spiritual power which must result, was dependent on their willingness to remain separate from all which was not of Himself.

The lesson for us is likewise clear. The presence of God is promised to a separated people. Who among us does not wish to see the churches endowed with the power and blessing His presence will bring? The responsibility, therefore, lies on each of us to maintain the high standard of separation which the Lord in His word demands of those in His house. "Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord" (2 Corinthians 7.1).

R. Lindsay, Hamilton | Jan 1968
General