THE REREWARD -- Monday:
" For ye shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight: for the LORD will go before you; and the God of Israel will be your rereward." (Isaiah 52:12)
The term "rereward" (modern spelling "rearward") is used six times in the KJV (Num 10:25; Josh 2:9,13; 1 Sam 29:2; Isa 52:12; 58:8). It is an old English word that means rear-guard. That is the way it is translated in most of the later versions of Scripture–"rear guard."
The concept of a "rear guard" was important to the Israelites. There were soldiers who went before the people, assuring no enemies were waiting ahead. There were also soldiers who followed them, ensuring no enemy could come up on them unawares. The need of a "rear guard" is seen in treachery of the Amalekites, who followed the Israelites in their flight from Egypt. It is written of them, "Remember what Amalek did to you on the way as you were coming out of Egypt, how he met you on the way and attacked your rear ranks, all the stragglers at your rear, when you were tired and weary; and he did not fear God" (Deut 25:17-18). These treacherous and crafty people took advantage of those who did not keep up with the ranks. Some of them were tired and weary, and could not keep up with the footmen. For this reason, they fell prey to the Amalekites. For this reason, God pledged to "blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven" (25:19).
With this in mind, our text states, "the God of Israel will be your rereward," or "rear guard." Not only that, "the Lord will go before you," protecting from awaiting foes. Thus, the very graphic image is presented of the people of God sandwiched between Divine protection before and behind. He goes before as "the Breaker," breaking down hindering walls and gates (Micah 2:13). He also follows behind to guard them from crafty foes.
Isaiah 58:8 states this same truth in yet another way. "Then your light shall break forth like the morning, Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard" (NKJV). This is a prophecy of the "day of salvation" in which we are privileged to live. It is one in which the powerful affects of the righteousness "which is of God by faith" (Phil 3:9) goes before us. The "glory of the Lord," which is also found in the saints (2 Cor 3:18; Eph 3:16) guards us from behind. That glory repels our enemies, like the Lord looking at the Egyptians "through the pillar of fire and the cloud," thus troubling them (Ex 14:24).
Herein is revealed the secret to perseverance: the Breaker before us, and the Rear Guard after us! The Lord goes before us, assuring that we will not be tempted above our ability (1 Cor 10:13). He also goes behind us, assuring that what we have left does not again come upon us. Those who perceive this truth will not be "anxious" about tomorrow" (Matt 6:34), and will be able to forget "the things that are behind" (Phil 3:13). As long as the Lord is with us, we have no need to fear the future. Neither, indeed, is their cause to fear the repercussions of the past, if the Lord is for us.
The Amalekites attacked the rear ranks of Israel, preying on those who were "stragglers," and "tired and weary" (Deut 25:18). While we must exercise ourselves not to fall into those categories, the best of us must admit there are times when our pace is too slow, and we have become "tired and weary." How is it that the devil did not overcome you in such times? What enabled you to recover and be strong again? It was the "Rereward," the "Rear guard" that kept you safe from the enemy!
The truth of this situation is proclaimed many different ways in Scripture. Jesus is the "Author and Finisher" of our faith (Heb 12:2). Some versions read "the Pioneer and Perfecter." Think of those roles as the "Breaker" and the "Rear Guard." The term "Beginning and the End" conveys the same meaning (Rev 21:6). It is also seen in the expression, "THE First and THE Last" (Rev 1;17). He is before us and behind us–leading us and following us. That is involved in beginning a good work in us, and bringing it to completion as well (Phil 1:6). It is also described in the confident expression, "The LORD will perfect that which concerns me" (Psa 138:8).
One of the grand articulations of the truth of the "rear guard" is found in the 23rd Psalm. "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever" (v 6). Believe it!
PRAYER POINT: Father, I praise You through Jesus for the marvelous protection You have given to me. With Samuel I also confess, "Thus far the LORD has helped us."