“Selah” is found frequently in the Psalms and was thought to be a musical term. However, in a prior lesson the association of the word “Selah” with the deliverance of the Lord was demonstrated. In addition, Selah was the name of a dwelling place in Edom.
Selah is thought to be the rock city of Petra, located in what was Edom and now part of the country of Jordan. Although not mentioned by name in the Bible, Petra seems to be described in the Word. It is located high in the mountains and is literally in the red rocks of Edom. Petra is the city carved out of the mountains. Petra also covers many square miles and contains uninhabited dwelling places for at least thousands of people.
The association of the lands of Edom, Moab and Ammon has also been referenced in the Word. The Prophet Daniel gave us more to link these three ancient nation/tribes. First, the prophet described the evil person we generically call “the Anti-Christ.”
“… the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished:” – Daniel 11:36Daniel then told us that in the last days Edom, Moab and Ammon will “escape out of his hand.” (Daniel 11:41) Perhaps the reason for this is found in the New Testament.
“When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:” - Matthew 24:15-16 (my emphasis)
“And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.” – Revelation 12:4-6
“And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time.” – Revelation 12:14King Amaziah of Judah defeated Edom in war and captured Selah. He renamed it Joktheel, which means “the blessedness of God.” (Second Kings 14:7) Perhaps Amaziah was given this name by the Lord to demonstrate Selah’s future purpose.
It is certainly possible that the Lord in His wisdom and foreknowledge has prepared a place for the remnant of Israel. The departure of the remnant in the Last Days appears to be described by the Prophet Isaiah.
“Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the LORD. 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 (rear guard).” – Isaiah 52:11-12The departure and relocation of a portion of Israel may explain Isaiah 63:1-4 which describes the Lord coming from Edom with His garments stained with blood. The Lord explains:
“I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment. For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come.” – Isaiah 63:3-4 (my emphasis)This seems to describe the Lord, by Himself, protecting His Chosen people that will be located in Edom in the Last Days. The Woman will be fed and protected for three and one-half years, the last half of the time known as the Tribulation.
Selah means deliverance. Selah is also the name of a place of deliverance/safety in the mountains of Moab, perhaps Petra. Selah shows us the deliverance of the remnant of Israel in the Last Days. Should we be surprised that the Lord made prior arrangements? May His name be praised always!