Separation vs Isolation

Anneta Pinto-Young 3 Minutes
“There he came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah”” (1 Kings 19:9)?

This story in 1 Kings 19, has been used by many people in the church to suggest, that God has called prophets to isolation. I have heard the idea touted many times by people who consider themselves prophetic. There are seasons when God calls his people to be separated, but never isolated. Let us consider the difference between the two words, which I think have been confused at times. The word isolated means being far away from others or having limited contact or things in common with others. The word separation however, means existing or happening differently or to move apart from. In Genesis 12, Abraham was instructed by God to leave his country and his people and travel to another place where God would show him.

Yet, Abraham was not alone or isolated, because he travelled with his nephew Lot and many servants. Concerning Elijah who journeyed into the wilderness to hide in a cave, this was not based on God’s instructions. Elijah heard Jezebel’s threats, became afraid and ran away. His servant followed him to Beersheba and he left him there and traveled into the wilderness. God’s question to Elijah shows us that he was out of place and out of alignment. In fact, Elijah’s thinking and speech was irrational. He concluded that all the prophets were dead, all the people had sinned and he was the only one left and they wanted to kill him also. It turned out that he was wrong, as God had preserved others who had not sinned. God sent Elijah back to Damascus to anoint Elisha who would succeed him as a prophet over Isreal.

Clearly Elisha was a prophet of God who was not dead nor had bowed to Baal. Once Elisha was anointed, he did not leave Elijah until he was taken up into heaven. In fact, the majority of the prophets in those times moved in companies. When Elijah was about to be taken up, a group of prophets who lived in Bethel, confirmed this with Elisha. “And the sons of the prophets who were in Bethel came out to Elisha and said to him, “Do you know that today the Lord will take away your master from over you?” And he said, “Yes, I know it; keep quiet”” (2 Kings 2:3). We also saw a company of prophets in Ramah where Samuel lived. “Then Saul sent messengers to take David, and when they saw the company of the prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing as head over them, the Spirit of God came upon the messengers of Saul, and they also prophesied” (1 Samuel 19:20).

I believe that God’s intention for prophets or any other group with certain gifts, is that they would stay together. The purpose of these communities is to sharpen each other’s gifts. “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another” (Proverbs 27:17). I think more so, as it relates to prophecy, we only see and prophecy in part. No prophet will see the full picture and different people, will see different glimpses of a whole picture. When we all come together, we can fit the pieces together and see even greater revelations. God loves unity and there are many places in the bible where God pointed out the need for fellowship and community. Even Jesus had his disciples and a close inner circle, and although he would separate at times to pray, he was always in the company of his disciples. “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up”
‭‭(Ecclesiastes‬ ‭4‬:‭9‬-‭10‬)!

A.P.-Y.

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Published by Anneta Pinto-Young

I am a trained Social Worker who currently provides professional leadership on a programme to support Social Work students and Newly Qualified Social Workers entering the Social Work Profession. Born and raised in Jamaica in a Christian family where my father is an ordained Pastor and Deacon who has served for over 50 years in the ministry. My father is also a trained musician and our family can be described as a musical family. I grew up in a small farming community in St. Peter’s, St. Andrew and my parents also have a small farm. I credit my gift of writing to my father who I watched and listened to over the years as he wrote sermons, poems and other recitals in his capacity in ministry. English has always been an easy subject for me and over the years I have developed an increased interest in writing. I am a Trainer, I sing and have a passion for worship, the spoken word and the free flow of the prophetic anointing. I am married to my best friend Andrew Christopher Young who is an advanced Musician and whose music you can find on YouTube and Facebook. I am a trained Coach and Mentor and I love experimenting with food so I love cooking. I enjoy trying cultural dishes from across the world and I view food as an entry into cultures and languages.

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16 thoughts on “Separation vs Isolation”

  3. Amen.
    Great perspective/revelation. I too can be like Elijah at times. This is so timely too because when I prayed this morning, I asked God to fix my thoughts. Sometimes the enemy allows us use a filter, much like our social media apps, and it changes the look of the real thing. Sometimes to continue enmity Satan will have us thinking through filters and this is why daily renewal of the mind is important as well as putting every thought under subjection. Keep hearing from God cousin!

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  5. It looks to me that Elijah was hiding, more than being separated. Hiding is not God’s will for his ministers, but separation to seek him for direction is necessary for a time. Ministers of God must be among the people, it’s what God desires for himself, to live among the people. Sometimes the people can kill the minister with kindness, and the ministry as well. Isolation is never God’s will, but separation, to a degree is necessary.

    “…14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
    15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
    16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
    17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
    18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty…”
    2 Corinthians 6:14-18

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  7. Hello sister Anneta,

    thank you for this article and your faithfulness and surrender to God. I appreciate you for helping so many people through your writing. May God bless you more!

    I have a question. There are two characters in the Bible who isolated themselves to seek God’s face: Jacob and David. In Genesis 32:22 where Jacob wrestled with God and David always stayed in the wilderness tending his father’s sheeps and I’m guessing playing music, worshipping and communing with God, and fighting dangerous animals… I guess David’s situation is a bit different now that i think about it. But, what do you think, were David and Jacob in isolation or separation? Also, can you give a newbie writer some advice?

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    1. Hi Daniel. Jacob spent one night alone with God which led to his wrestle. David’s separation was not by choice as he was assigned by his father to tend the sheep alone. There also seemed to have been some bias in his family as he was treated differently from his siblings. He used the alone time to see God. The essence of separation is finding daily alone time with God. God does not encourage isolation as this is more the devil’s strategy to try to keep people away from others who can strengthen them. Jesus had a regular quiet time alone in prayer, but after his prayer times would return to his disciples or to the crowds to teach and tend to their needs. Balance is the key and learning to balance alone time with God with fellowship and assembly which God ordained. Bless you. 🙏🏾

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