Church of the Holy Apostles - Katy, TX
  • I'm New
  • About Us
    • What We Believe
    • The Episcopal Church
    • Sermons
    • Staff
    • Our Vestry
    • Contact Us
    • Community Partners
  • Family
    • Nursery
    • Kids
    • Students
  • Ministries
    • Connect >
      • New Member Class
      • Small Groups
      • Serving Teams
    • Adult Ministry
    • Missions and Outreach
    • Next Steps
    • myCOTHA
    • Parish Resources
    • Support Groups
  • Events
  • Give
  • I'm New
  • About Us
    • What We Believe
    • The Episcopal Church
    • Sermons
    • Staff
    • Our Vestry
    • Contact Us
    • Community Partners
  • Family
    • Nursery
    • Kids
    • Students
  • Ministries
    • Connect >
      • New Member Class
      • Small Groups
      • Serving Teams
    • Adult Ministry
    • Missions and Outreach
    • Next Steps
    • myCOTHA
    • Parish Resources
    • Support Groups
  • Events
  • Give

How do you remember God?

4/25/2014

0 Comments

 
By Sean Nelson, Pastor of Discipleship 
                  I was in Bible College and I remember the OT professor speaking about “Ebenezer." It was a familiar term but not in the way he used it. I grew up in Detroit, MI and there are several churches with the name Ebenezer tied to them and that’s where it ended. Thank God for a moment of clarity and a guy who loved the Old Testament.
                  The professor’s insight brought life to the meaning of Ebenezer! He gave me reason to say the word with meaning and not just see it on a billboard.  Below is a brief summary of what was discussed in this class:
The Hebrew word for "Ebenezer" is actually two words pronounced together: Even Haazer. Written in Hebrew it looks like this:


It is usually transliterated as a proper name by dropping the definite article (Ha) from the Hebrew word for "place" (Ezer) and putting it together with the Hebrew word for "stone" (Even) to create: "Ebenezer." The etymological roots of the word, thus defined, should demonstrate that an "Ebenezer" is, literally, a "Stone of Help."
In 1 Samuel 4:1-11 and 5:1, the Ebenezer is strangely identified with a particular site, about four miles south of Gilgal, where the Israelites were twice defeated by the Philistines and the Ark of the Covenant was stolen. These battles took place, however, before the site was actually named Ebenezer. It was like someone saying that Dinosaurs once lived in Dallas County -- they did, but not when this area was called "Dallas." Likewise, the two battles mentioned in 1 Samuel 4 and 5 took place at Ebenezer, but some time before it was so-named.
The site wasn’t named Ebenezer until after the Israelites finally defeated the Philistines, and took back the Ark of the Covenant. To commemorate the victorious battle, Samuel set up a marker-stone, named it "Stone of Help," and thereby the site became identified with the stone and with the place where God’s miraculous help aided them in their victory over the Philistines. The stone, standing up-right, was called "Ebenezer," and the site naturally took on that name as well.
Literally speaking, an Ebenezer is a "stone of help," or a reminder of God’s Real, Holy Presence and Divine aid. Spiritually and theologically speaking, an Ebenezer can be nearly anything that reminds us of God’s presence and help: the Bible, the Sacramental Elements, a cross, a picture, a fellow believer, a hymn – those things which serve as reminders of God’s love, God’s Real Presence, and God’s assistance are "Ebenezer’s."
I am encouraged again to memorialize the things God has done for me and through me. The Ebenezer lifestyle will perpetuate deep gratitude and tradition that will remain and show the world our God is alive and intends to do good for those who love him.
Take some time to write down the things God has done for you just this year and you will be amazed at how he’s been protecting you, calling you, and conforming you. I know I am!


0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    COTHA Blogs

    A place where we share our experiences and thoughts on ministry!

    Categories

    All
    COTHA Ministry Staff
    COTHA Reflections
    Devotional
    Mission: Africa
    Mission: Central America
    Mission: Local
    Mission: Mexico
    Mission: Sri Lanka
    Mission: Students
    Rector

    Archives

    October 2019
    October 2018
    March 2018
    September 2017
    August 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    September 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    March 2012
    January 2012
    September 2011
    August 2011
    June 2011
    March 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    August 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010
    April 2010
    March 2010
    February 2010
    January 2010
    December 2009
    October 2009
    September 2009
    August 2009
    July 2009
    June 2009
    May 2009
    April 2009
    February 2009
    January 2009
    December 2008
    November 2008
    October 2008
    September 2008
    August 2008
    July 2008
    June 2008
    May 2008
    April 2008
    March 2008
    February 2008
    January 2008
    December 2007
    November 2007

    RSS Feed

Church of the Holy Apostles
1225 West Grand Parkway South
Katy, TX 77494
info@cotha.org • 281-392-3310

​Service Times
Sundays 8:00 and 10:30

Office Hours
Monday – Thursday  9 A.M. - 5 P.M.