Baal-perazim (which means “the Lord who bursts through”)

I am so pumped right now. 

Marshall and I are doing the study "Experiencing God" at church. It's an amazing study about growing closer to God and loving him more (it's a perfect companion to Crazy Love, which I am also doing).

Today's lesson was about those turning points in life where you either turn towards God's will or away from it. We probably went over a dozen scriptures tonight, but this struck me. 

1 Chronicles 14: 8-16

David Conquers the Philistines

8When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all Israel, they mobilized all their forces to capture him. But David was told they were coming, so he marched out to meet them. 9The Philistines arrived and made a raid in the valley of Rephaim. 10So David asked God, “Should I go out to fight the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?”

The Lord replied, “Yes, go ahead. I will hand them over to you.”

11So David and his troops went up to Baal-perazim and defeated the Philistines there. “God did it!” David exclaimed. “He used me to burst through my enemies like a raging flood!” So they named that place Baal-perazim (which means “the Lord who bursts through”). 12The Philistines had abandoned their gods there, so David gave orders to burn them.

13But after a while the Philistines returned and raided the valley again. 14And once again David asked God what to do. “Do not attack them straight on,” God replied. “Instead, circle around behind and attack them near the poplar^b trees. 15When you hear a sound like marching feet in the tops of the poplar trees, go out and attack! That will be the signal that God is moving ahead of you to strike down the Philistine army.” 16So David did what God commanded, and they struck down the Philistine army all the way from Gibeon to Gezer.

 I know this does not mean much to you. The point behind the scripture is that David asked God what to do each time and followed God's command.

However, that's not the part I'm wanting to point out. It's the strange name David gave to the area, "Baal-perazim."

Now, I have done studies for the names of God. There are so many.
There are ones we all know:
Alpha and Omega
Redeemer
The Great I Am
Savior
Provider
Rock
Love

There are the well known Hebrew names:
El Shaddai - God Almighty
Adonai - My Lord
Elohim - The Only God, The Creator

This is just to name a few. I thought I knew most of the names God held, what with my being such a name scholar. But this one blew me away.


Baal-perazim. The God Who Bursts Through.

I don't know why this holds my attention so. It just does.
Maybe I need God to burst through. Maybe He IS bursting through in my life...maybe I'm finally submitting to Him and allowing Him to burst forth in me.
I can only hope.