Sunday Seed Thoughts: Going to Beulah

Today Norma Jean and I are going to Beulah.

No, not Beulah Land as in the old hymn referring to heaven. But the Beulah church of Christ in Douglasville, Georgia, where I will be preaching in a Sunday-Wednesday meeting.

This is our first time to worship with and preach for these brethren. But with a name like “Beulah,” I have to believe it’s going to be a heavenly experience.

“Beulah” is an identification used by many churches throughout the United States, especially in the South. In fact, when we lived in Louisville, Kentucky, there’s a street named “Beulah Church Road.”

But “Beulah” is actually a Bible name, mentioned once in Isaiah 62:4. The text seems to be a Messianic reference to the spiritual future of Israel following their Babylonian captivity. One day Gentiles would come into the Kingdom, as Isaiah prophesied and Jesus promised the apostles (Mk. 16:15; Ac. 1:8).

Isaiah 62:2 predicts that God’s people would be called by a new name. Luke recorded in Acts 11:26 this new name–“the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.”

Furthermore, Isaiah says they would be called “Beulah.” The word means “married.” Apparently this is a prophetic, metaphorical reference to Christians relationship with Christ. The church is identified in the New Testament as “the Bride of Christ” (Eph. 5;25-27; Rev. 19:7-9; 21:2).

When we obey the gospel, we’re spiritually married to the Lord in a committed relationship. Christ is the head of our Family. And we’re commanded to submit to Him. To follow His leadership. To love Him. And to loving obey His commandments (Jn.14:15).

We look forward to worshiping with the Beulah brethren this week. Their facebook page says they’re a group of people who are “simply Christians,” and “followers of Christ” who are “striving to be a church following the pattern found in the New Testament.”

I think we will feel right at home with the Beulah brethren.

Hopefully, you are enjoying a “Beulah” relationship. And will able to joyfully join with “Beulah brethren” wherever you worship today.

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman