Hinder Me Not
“And he said unto them, Hinder me not, seeing the LORD hath prospered my way; send me away that I may go to my master.” Genesis 24:56
Several weeks ago, our Sunday School lesson included the above verse – emphasizing the phrase “hinder me not”. In this verse, the one speaking is Abraham’s servant who had gone to find a bride for Isaac. Now that the servant has met Rebekah and her family, he is ready – with their consent – to take Rebekah back with him. In the previous verse, we see Rebekah’s family attempting to persuade the servant to stay a little longer…
“And her brother and her mother said, Let the damsel abide with us a few days, at the least ten; after that she shall go.” Genesis 24:55
The servant, however, desires to be on his way. He had followed his master’s instructions; the Lord had led him right to Rebekah; she was willing to go and be Isaac’s bride; it was time to return. Now as a mother, I have to admit that I understand the desire of Rebekah’s family to spend a little more time with her before she leaves home. Separation from family can be hard at times.
This morning, I read another account of an individual attempting to hinder Someone…
“From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.” Matthew 16:21-23
In this case, it was Peter who – because of his love for Christ – did not like hearing Him speak of His sufferings and death. Again, from a human perspective, I can understand Peter’s feelings. But, although I may be able to sympathize in both of these instances, I still must realize that both accounts depict individuals attempting to hinder the work of God.
A simple but vitally important thought this morning – as wives and mothers, we must be very careful not to allow our feelings and emotions to stand in the way of God’s will for the lives of our husbands and children. In both accounts, the feelings portrayed were very natural and seemingly innocent. But, in either case, if the one attempting to hinder had been successful, God’s work would not have been accomplished. Now, that would NOT be something I would want to live with for the rest of my life! When we attempt to hinder someone from completely following the Lord, we are putting our own desires ahead of the will of God. Jesus said to Peter, “…thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.” In other words, “Peter, you care more about what YOU want than what GOD wants.”
Today, are we fully surrendered to God’s will – not just for OUR life, but for the lives of our families as well?
In all my Lord’s appointed ways
My journey I’ll pursue;
Hinder me not! ye much loved saints,
For I must go with you.
Through floods and flames, if Jesus lead,
I’ll follow where He goes;
Hinder me not! shall be my cry,
Though earth and hell oppose.
Through duty, and through trials too,
I’ll go at His command;
Hinder me not! for I am bound
To my Immanuel’s land.
And when my Savior calls me home,
Still this my cry shall be,
Hinder me not! come, welcome death;
I’ll gladly go with Thee!
(John Ryland)