Waters of Siloam

God places His soldiers right in the middle of enemy territory, and the enemy thinks that he has you surrounded -- that it is just a matter of time before he completely destroys you.

However, the Lord has dug a canal underneath the ground filled with the water of Siloam.  And the Lord is able to quench your thirst even when the enemy and his army surrounds you.  The enemy won't even be aware of the Lord continually filling you with His Holy Spirit.

From the outside, the enemy will presume that it is just a matter of time before your walls crumble and you starve to death.  The enemy won't be aware that on the inside, the waters of Siloam are quenching your thirst -- That from your belly Living Waters flow (John 7:38).  The enemy won't even be aware of the Lord speaking to you - of the Lord showing you what must be done. On the outside the enemy will think the countdown to your demise has begun, not knowing that the Lord's Living Water flows into your encampment freely and fully!  And you are strong because of the Lord's provision.  And you are not going to back down because of it - and you know the Truth because of it!  Hallelujah!

"SILOAM.  The Pool of Siloam, where Jesus sent the blind man to be healed [John 9:7],

was located in the Tyropoeon Valley, at the lower end of Hezekiah's underground conduit (Siloam Tunnel) which brought water into the city from the Gihon Spring (Virgin's Fountain).  'The waters of Shiloah that go softly' (Isaiah 8:6) referred to these waters that flowed through the 1,770-foot tunnel and into this pool called 'Siloam,' because it was just across the Kidron Valley of the village of Siloam.  The pool was much used by the people of Jerusalem, and they considered it sacred" (Thompson Chain Bible, reference # 4436).

"GIHON, now known as the Virgin's Fountain, is an intermittent spring (or fountain) of pure water which bursts forth from deep within the Kidron Valley, east of Jerusalem and just opposite the village of Siloam.  From early times it has been the only known living spring in the environs of Jerusalem.  In fact the city was located on this arid plateau because of the splendid water supply.  The Jebusite inhabitants of Jerusalem dug a deep underground channel or tunnel westward from the fountain, under the walls, and into the city, so that they might draw water without having to go outside the walls; and also to enable them to obtain all the water they needed in time of siege without being exposed to the enemy..." (Thompson Chain Bible, reference #4383). 

May the above revelations bless a brother or sister in the Lord who is surrounded by the enemy.  It doesn't matter what surrounds you; the Holy Spirit will support you from within.

 On February 26th, while at work, the Lord brought a Biblical event to me on two different occasions.  I realized the Lord was trying to show me something, but I didn't know what He was teaching me at that point during the day.  Later that same night, when tucking my 8 year old into bed, the Lord used this child, who knew nothing about the events earlier in the day, to speak truth to me from his children's Bible.  In that moment, I thought, "There it is.  That's what You were  trying to show me, Lord."  In late January or early February, I was preparing to go to sleep, and the Lord spoke to me about Hezekiah.  It was a very clear "God has spoken moment," so I immediately went downstairs and began reading about this king.

The Holy Spirit directed me specifically to one of Hezekiah's struggles with the king of Assyria and the Assyrian king's messenger, Rabshakeh.  This was a profound moment that night because I, too, had been battling with an enemy who was making every attempt to draw people away from the Truth.  Like Rabshakeh, this particular enemy even seemed to speak the same language of the church, falsely appearing to be with them and one of them.  Take the time to read these verses. (Isaiah 36:13, 36:14, 36:15, 36:16, 36:17, 36:18, 36:19, 36:20, 36:21, 36:22). When Hezekiah was  presented with Rabshakeh's threats and false words, King Hezekiah in great anguish went directly into the house of the Lord, seeking direction (Isaiah 37:1, 37:2, 37:3, 37:4).

Ultimately, the Lord's prophet Isaiah spoke to King Hezekiah on this matter:

5 So the servants of king Hezekiah came to Isaiah.
6 And Isaiah said unto them, Thus shall ye say unto your master, Thus saith the Lord, Be not afraid of the words that thou hast heard, wherewith the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed me.
7 Behold, I will send a blast upon him, and he shall hear a rumour, and return to his own land; and I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land.

 Praise the Lord for His provision when the enemy speaks blasphemy against the Truth and against those who stand for the Truth!  I shared this regarding Hezekiah because it directly relates to the Pool of Siloam, Gihon and the underground canal dug during the Old Testament time period.  Only the Lord can piece His revelations together so masterfully!  As shared above, on February 26th, the Lord brought me to an event in the Bible twice while at work and later that same night with my 8 year old. And a few weeks before the 26th, the Lord sought to instruct me regarding Hezekiah. On the 26th, while tucking him in, my son led me to the story of Siloam Pool in the New Testament.  In his children's Bible, there was a reference regarding the Pool of Siloam and the king who was responsible for the canal's construction.  It was none other than King Hezekiah.  In that moment, events and revelations spanning weeks were brought to one unified message of Truth by the Holy Spirit.

Picture of my son's Bible page

The story of Hezekiah is vast and spans more than one book in the Bible, but I will include one of the verses demonstrating this king's action that is further echoed in the New Testament when we read the story of the healing waters of Siloam Pool.

2 Chronicles 32:30 - "This same Hezekiah also stopped the upper watercourse of Gihon, and brought it straight down to the west side of the city of David. And Hezekiah prospered in all his works."   ***(I have added a short YouTube clip on Hezekiah's Tunnel at the end of this blog. Added 3.13.16)***

When the Lord has absolutely shown you the truth on a matter, you are not to return to the lie.  You are to share the truth to those who will receive it.  God willing, they will join you in the Lord's Truth on a particular matter, but we are never to "side with" a lie.  We are never to be "cordial" to the lie.  We are never to pretend it is acceptable to speak or teach the lie.   That same night on February 26th, the Lord brought me to His direction for me, and no doubt His direction for all those who follow Him and accept 'soft waters' from His Spirit of Truth.  Please read Isaiah 8:5 through the end of the chapter.  It is in verse 6 that the Lord begins to describe consequences for those who refuse the waters of Shiloah (Siloam).

Forasmuch as this people refuseth the waters of Shiloah that go softly, and rejoice in Rezin and Remaliah's son;

 The remainder of the chapter describes what those who refuse the waters can expect and what those who are partakers of the water will receive.  There is a distinct difference between the two.  Shame and destruction will pursue those who have rejected the Lord, but the Lord clearly instructs those who follow Him and accept His Spirit.  He tells His people (those who accept the waters of Shiloah) what they are to do and what they are not to do.  Hallelujah!  

Notable Areas:

10 Take counsel together, and it shall come to nought; speak the word, and it shall not stand: for God is with us.    [Those who refuse the waters of Shiloah can devise schemes, but they will come to nothing, says the Lord!  Who is God with? There is a clear separation in this chapter.  He is with those who are truly partakers of His Spirit, His Living Water. God will never side with lies, such does not come from His water of Siloam/Shiloah.]

11 For the Lord spake thus to me (the prophet of the Lord and all who are partakers of the waters) with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying,  [Those who are of the truth must not join in allegiance with those who refuse the Lord's truth.]

12 Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid.   [A partaker of the Lord's Truth must not join in an UNlawful alliance (confederacy) with those who are serving a lie and teaching a lie.  Do not revere or respect what they revere.  Do not live in terror of what terrifies them.]

13 Sanctify the Lord of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.  [Those who are partaking in the waters of Shiloah must be loyal to the Lord above all.  Revere the Lord.  Fear the Lord.  Be loyal to the Lord above all.]

14 And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.  [He is our source of strength and protection. Even when surrounded by the enemy, the Lord will provide His water (Spirit) springing forth within us.  There are many, even those who seemingly speak our language (Isaiah 36:13), who are greatly offended by areas of the Lord's Truth.]

15 And many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken.

[Never mind them.  Let the Lord be your sanctuary.  Let others stumble at the Truth if they refuse to accept it.]

16 Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples.
17 And I will wait upon the Lord, that hideth his face from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him.
18 Behold, I and the children whom the Lord hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the Lord of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion. [Wait upon the Lord.  Trust in Him.  He will work through you.]

19 And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that

peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead? [Beware of those who seek to turn you to lies.  Many of today's 'wizards' are wearing normal clothing, even that of a sheep's attire.  Beware of those who refuse to seek the full counsel of God.  We are to seek counsel from the only One who offers complete Truth, the LORD.]

20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.  [The Lord has given us a formula for trying spirits.  Look at His Word.  The answers are within the Bible.  Sincerity of heart, prayer, and fasting usher in proper understanding of the Word.]  

21 And they shall pass through it, hardly bestead and hungry: and it shall come to pass, that when they shall be hungry, they shall fret themselves, and curse their king and their God, and look upward.
22 And they shall look unto the earth; and behold trouble and darkness, dimness of anguish; and they shall be driven to darkness.  [Those who have refused the waters of Shiloah/Siloam/Holy Spirit will ultimately find themselves cursing God when times grow dark and difficult.]

The Lord has faithfully taught me regarding what true loyalty to Him looks like.  Not having loyalty to Him and His statutes will surely result in eternal separation from Him, but glory to God,  being loyal to Him - although painful in this life -- will reap eternal fellowship with Him in His Holy presence forevermore! (Acts 14:22)

Seek to help those who are misled, but never join them in the lie.  They can come to you, but you must never return to them in thought or acceptance of a lie.

Do not wander from the path of understanding.  There are consequences.

The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.  ~Proverbs 21:16