Are You Alienated?
There are two kinds of alienation. The first begins in the womb, and continues through life as a direct assault upon one’s personhood. The second alienation begins with new birth in Christ. As our life is set apart unto God through love and obedience, we become alienated from the mindset of this world. If you have experienced the first, you have suffered greatly, for alienation colors your whole life, and steals your hope. Alienation that originates from the womb, or happens in childhood also brings a curse as it assaults your core identity. I have walked that path, growing up with alienation from the womb. My name which means stranger or alien, made me feel isolated; thus brought a further curse upon me.
The word alienation was used of Jacob when he wrestled with the Lord, who put his thigh out of joint. (Genesis 32:25). This form of alienation means to be put out of joint, dislocated, and involves being torn away, even put to death.[1] The Lord wants intimate relationship with us. Jacob was forever running away, forever twisting the truth to fit his own purposes. The Lord put Jacob’s thigh out of joint so he could not escape; for the rest of his life, his thigh was alienated from his body. But as a result of that pain, he was brought into relationship with the Lord God. This word is also used of Aholibah (Jerusalem, the capital of Judah), the adulterous wife of Jehovah, who He deeply loved (Ezekiel 23:18). God says His “mind was alienated from her”. God experiences this form of alienation as those He loves turn away from Him. His grief and brokenness of alienation was so deep, it led to Christ being impaled on the Cross, as He sought to recover to Himself the human race who chose alienation from Him.
The next word used for alienation involves estrangement, with a severing or breaking.[2] The Lord says He experienced this severing from the capital of Israel, “My mind was alienated” from Aholah, or Samaria (Ezekiel 23:18). The previous form of alienation involved a slow process with a dislocation and tearing, whereas this alienation involves a quick severance, which brings complete estrangement and alienation.
To be severed, and broken is indicative of deep anguish. In our deep pain and brokenness, we were also alienated from God when we united with our Lord’s enemy. Through our decision to violate God’s boundaries, we allowed Satan to formulate our truths, dictate our feelings, and establish the foundation for our choices.
But God is able to reestablish broken boundaries. He is able to heal the broken heart. But God! Two of the most beautiful words in all of Scripture. But God allowing evil, meant it for good (Genesis 50:20). But God will redeem my soul from the enemy (Psalms 49:15). My flesh and heart fail, but God is the strength of my heart, my portion forever (Psalms 73:26). But God knows your heart – for what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in His sight (Luke 16:15). But God was with him (Acts 7:9). But God demonstrates His love for us – while we were still sinners – Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). But God chose the foolish things, the weak things to put to shame the wise and the mighty (1 Corinthians 1:27). But God gives the increase (1 Cor. 3:7). But God has given greater honor to the part which lacks it (1 Cor. 12:24). But God tests our hearts (1 Thessalonians 2:4). But God has given us the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 1:7)!
Do you feel the pain of alienation today? You are in good company, even Jesus suffered alienation!! There is strong hope, for Christ suffered to redeem us to Himself, so we would no longer be alienated. But God!
References:
[1] H3363 – yaqa` יָקַע, verb – prime root (p.r.). To be dislocated, be alienated: be torn away; to execute slowly (by exposure or impalation), to hang (punishment where limbs were dislocated; possibly neck dislocated.) (Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2013. 18 Apr 2013. < http:// www.blueletterbible.org.)
[2]H5361 – naqa` נָקַע, verb, p.r. To be estranged, be alienated: to be severed (to be cleft, broken – Gesenius’s Lexicon). (Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2013. 18 Apr 2013. < http:// www.blueletterbible.org.)
