The Dromedaries of Midian and Ephah

The title of this blog post comes from Isaiah 60:6, which is discussing the immense prosperity of Israel, saying that even foreign nations shall bless Israel with goods to the praise and glory of Yahweh.

I have been reading Isaiah 60 a lot recently, as Yahweh has told me that it pertains greatly to my life in this new year of 2015. Mostly, I resonate with the verses about light and shining for Yahweh and His glory being sung in the Earth. I kind of skimmed over verse 6 at first, except for the last part where it talks about Yahweh's glory. The only reason it really caught my eye was because of the word "dromedary." I mean, I'm a linguist. That was bound to be noticed!

FYI, a dromedary is a type of camel. (I looked it up.)

Anyway, I realized through something that happened recently--namely a flat tire--that the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah are important. For how can we glorify Yahweh if we refuse to receive the prosperity He is offering us?

So yesterday, I was coming out of my apartment to go to ecclesia. I'd been battling emotions lately, so ecclesia was exactly where I wanted to be and I couldn't wait to go! When I saw that my back tire was flat, I was upset mostly because I wouldn't be able to get to ecclesia that night. Also, I wasn't looking forward to paying for a new tire, but I knew that Yahweh provides financially from previous experience.

In examining the tire, I found a screw firmly lodged therein, in a place screws definitely do not belong. So it's freezing and the tire is flat and I try to figure out what to do. My car is my only means of transportation and I cannot be without it. I call my parents and get out the insurance card and try to figure out if I need to call a tow truck because I'm pretty sure I don't have the equipment (and certain I don't have the knowledge) to change my tire. My dad reminds me that I have a Fix A Flat container in my backseat, so I get that out of the car and try to figure that out.

While I'm sitting on the ground next to the flat tire trying to read directions on the Fix A Flat, a neighbor I've never met before asks if I need help. (Yes! Yes, I did!) He jacks the car up and tries to remove the tire while I post on Instagram the fact that the tire is flat and I won't be able to make it to ecclesia.

So it turns out that tires can rust to the car. Even though my neighbor got the car jacked up and all the bolts (I think that's what they're called) out of the tire, it won't come off the car. Still, he tried and I blessed him for it. Meanwhile, two lovely friends who live somewhat nearby offer me a ride to ecclesia because of the post from Instagram. Dromedaries.

So I get to ecclesia and reboot my faith. (HalleluYah!) While I'm there, another good friend offers to come out and take a look at the tire. (Again, yes!) Someone had told me that beating on the tire with a rubber mallet might help the rusty thing come off, and I figured that maybe he'd have some luck, so I agreed to let him come out and try to get the tire off again.

He comes out and does his best, but the tire still isn't coming off. While we are out there, though, another neighbor asks if the tire is flat and says she has an air pressure pump that we can use to air it up. It works great, and my friend follows me to Walmart so we can get the tire patched up. AND the screw was in the perfect place to get it patched, so no new tire fee. Dromedaries. Actually, it ended up being a really fun day with my friend whom I don't get to see that often.

Through all of this, I remembered: I am not alone. Yahweh always provides and He will always send the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah to us when we have need. Our purposes come with their own equipping and no matter how many things don't work, Yahweh will keep sending things until they do. Everything worked together for His glory and my good.

So consider the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah. If Yahweh purposes to bless you, receive the blessing. Every purpose will need the proper equipment for it to be fulfilled, and Yahweh will ensure that it is available to you. Sometimes the purpose is transportation or fellowship. Sometimes it is simply to glorify Yahweh by being prosperous. Whatever it is, I am grateful for all of Yahweh's provision and the people whom He used to provide it. I bless their seed, whether they understand the principle of seedtime and harvest or not. HalleluYah!