Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - July/64

Contributor - Rev. R. Van Farowe

Title - "In The Fields With God"

Topic - Meditation

"AND ISAAC WENT OUT TO MEDITATE IN THE FIELD AT EVENTIDE."Genesis 24 : 63ff

Isaac was not the best known of the patriarchs. He had a quiet and peaceful nature. He lacked the energy which Abraham his father and Jacob his son showed. Nevertheless he also finds his place in the roll of the heroes of the faith recorded in Hebrews 11: "By faith Isaac blest Jacob and Esau concerning things to come." His training by Abraham had doubtless given him a desire to obey God's will, even as Abraham had obeyed God, and had gone out to a strange country, "not knowing whither he went".

In the passage before us we see Isaac going out to the field to meditate. This word, 'meditate', means to quietly think about a certain subject or object, with the purpose of coming to some definite conclusion, and helpful end. Well, about what did Isaac meditate?

Isaac most likely missed his mother who had died. Also, at this time Eliezer, the servant of his father Abraham, was returning from Isaac's home country with a young maiden who was to become Isaac's wife. He knew that this servant had been sent out with this purpose, and he may have prayed that the right wife would be found. This trip of the servant is a beautiful account of God's leading and guidance This servant of Abraham had told Laban, the brother of Rebekah, that he was the servant of Abraham, and that God had providentially led him by having Rebekah give him drink, and the camels also.

Now Eliezer was returning. Isaac goes out to the field to think about this matter. He did not go to speculate, or to idly dream, but to meditate, that is to think with a definite object in view, to pray also. Meditation is the mother of prayer, and stir up the spiritual fire within. David later says: "While I was musing the fire burned." (Ps. 39 -: 3)

He was in the field. Yes, the FIELD. Although it is true that there were no great cities around him, he deliberately went out to nature to communicate with God. The open country is always a good place to go to think about God. When David was tending the sheep he could see the greatness of God, and he wrote, probably at such a time, "When I consider Thy heavens, the work of Thy finger, the moon and the stars which Thou hast made, what is man that Thou art mindful of him?" Also, "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows His handiwork."

What do you suppose Isaac learned about God, and from God, while thus in deep thought? Thinking about his mother, who had died, he must have pondered the meaning of death, and of the reparation which had taken place. Also, knowing that his father's servant had gone to find a wife for Isaac, he may have prayed for the right life partner. Young people do well to earnestly pray about their problems of courtship.

From this prayer period with God in the open field Isaac learned that God is very great, that the world has great dimensions, and that he was responsible to God for his life and talents.

It is said that meditation today is a lost art. Men are so hurried and so busy. Also, it is true that many live in cities, and cannot get out into the open. Yet it is also true that we with a good book, or a quiet time of rest, or a holiday short trip, or the Church and Sunday School picnic, or the Juniors at Camp, or the Youth Fellowship members at Chesley Lake, can have something of this experience.

Isaac went out in the EVENING. Seeing the sunset he saw something, of the beauty of God. He noted the faithfulness of the Creator in causing the continuance of day after day, and of night after night. We sing in our churches:

"Softly now the light of day, Fades upon my sight away

Free from care, from labor free, Lord, I would commune with Thee",

and then we follow with the personal application,

"Send for me the light of day, Shall for ever pass away,

Then from gin, from sorrow free, Take me, Lord, to dwell with Thee."

Let us use these summer days to try to meditate more about God, and to pray to God. May all of our outings, and even our work in the fields, help us to see life's plan and purpose.

Especially may the evenings teach us that God watches over us by day and by night. May we say, even as we sing:

"Now the day is over, Night is drawing nigh,

Shadows of the evening, Steal across the Sky.

Jesus, give the weary Calm and sweet repose;

With Thy tenderest blessing, May our eyelid close."

May our evening meditation also teach us the truth of the prayer we all like to sing in our churches, both the Dutch and the English:

"Abide with me: fast falls the eventide;

The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide:

When other helpers fail, and comforts flee,

Help of the helpless, 0 abide with me."

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