Jonathan's Ezel Stone

Jonathan's Ezel Stone:
A Stone of Separation
Text: 1 Samuel 20:11-23

The Bible contains several memorial stones that remind God's people of important truths. Some remind us of God's salvation and his presence, others of sacrifice, or his helpfulness. The Stone of Ezel reminds us of something every believer will eventually experience: separation.
The word Ezel means "departure," "going away," or "separation." It was here that David and Jonathan met before David fled into the wilderness. Their friendship remained, but God's plan required David to leave everything familiar behind. Though painful, this separation was God's will.
Many Christians desire God's blessings while resisting God's process. Yet throughout Scripture we find separation is a Bible doctrine (Matthew 10:37-39; Luke 14:26-27, 33; 2 Corinthians 6:17; Romans 1:1; Galatians 1:15-16).
God repeatedly separated his servants before using them in greater ways. Abraham left his homeland. Joseph was sent to Egypt. Moses spent forty years in Midian. Elijah was hidden by the brook Cherith in time of famine. Jonah was sent to Nineveh, even after he took an extreme detour to get there. Paul was sent into Arabia for a period of three years. John was exiled on Patmos. The principle is seen in all of these great men, and in David: Before he could become king in the palace, he had to first be a servant in the wilderness.

Separation is never easy. It often brings EMOTIONS that are difficult to process. God has made mankind with a range of emotions. David was missed at the king's table. Jonathan experienced the sorrow of saying goodbye to his closest friend. Saul responded with anger and accusations. Whenever God moves his people into a new season of life, emotions naturally accompany that transition, whether it be calmness, confusion, anger, joy, peace, or fear. The right thing to do is put your trust in the LORD and not in your own understanding. Let God direct your paths and not your emotions of the flesh. (See: Proverbs 3:5-6).

God's call to separation may also appear EXTREME. Jonathan's message to David was simple: "The arrows are beyond thee." David was being called beyond the security of the palace into the uncertainty of the wilderness. From a human perspective, everything seemed to be getting worse. From God's perspective, everything was unfolding exactly as planned.
The wilderness was not a detour; it was David's classroom. There he would learn dependence upon the LORD, leadership through adversity, patience under trial, and faith during times of uncertainty. The crown would come, but only after God had finished preparing the man who would wear it.

Perhaps the greatest lesson from the Stone of Ezel is what God ESTABLISHED through separation. Jonathan and David reaffirmed their covenant. The LORD himself stood between them as the witness of their friendship. His presence gave them peace, His promise gave them confidence, and his protection preserved them for the future.

These truths ultimately point us to the Lord Jesus Christ. Because of sin, mankind was separated from God. Yet Christ became the Mediator who stands between a holy God and sinful man. Through his death, burial, and resurrection, he has established everlasting promises, continual presence, abiding peace, and eternal security for every believer.
If God has brought separation into your life, do not assume this is a sign of abandonment but rather conformation that he is preparing you for a greater purpose according to this divine will.

The Stone of Ezel reminds us that God's plan frequently requires separation before promotion. Trust the God who leads you into the wilderness, for he is also the God who will faithfully lead you through it.