That word is shanah, which means "rebel" in its simplest form. As we will see, it means so much more.
Let's look at it in Proverbs chapter 24:-
My son, fear Jehovah and the king; and do not fellowship with those who are given to change;
PROVERBS 24:21 VW
The words "those who are given to change" here are sometimes translated as the word rebels. The Hebrew word is very interesting. And sobering.
It is the Hebrew word shanah and it means to duplicate but in a perverse or disguised way. It has the meaning to transmute i.e to make a mutant of the original! You could call it a perverse copy of the original.
The meaning is that a previously normal person of loyalty would change into a person not to be trusted - a rebel, in other words.
This change would be a mutation but from good to bad.
Sobering stuff.
Note how it applies to our way of life and how we are governed, as well as to our relationship with YHWH.
This verse in Proverbs is a clear scriptural warning to have nothing to do with those who want to change the form of government or way of life we live under.
One aspect of this independence campaign in Scotland is that many believe it is stealth republicanism. This has become evident in the latter stages of the separatist campaign.
It should be noted that Scotland has lived under a kingdom form of governance for literally millenia. A Yes vote could change this to a form of government that is alien to Scotland. This would be a mutation on a national level - and a massive rejection of the Queen.
Precisely what Proverbs 24:21 advises against.
For Christians, another dimension that must be pondered is the Union in relation to God's will and purpose in the earth. If the Union is God-ordained, then voting to break it up is rebellion against Him. It cannot be said any simpler.
If there is any uncertainty over this matter i.e. if you cannot say you are 100% convinced the Union of Scotland and England is not the will of God, then you cannot in good conscience vote Yes. Perhaps this explains why many who profess Christ are happy to study and research and ponder the matter but are reluctant to ask their Master what He wants them to do.
God's will is the only consideration for the Christian in this business of the referendum.
The Hebrew word shanah is also used in the Word to describe the process of division and separation, particularly by deceitful means:-
He who covers a transgression seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates friends.
PROVERBS 17:9 VW
The phrase "he who repeats" here is shanah in Hebrew. It means to duplicate but in a twisted, perverse way. In other words, to change the meaning.
We have seen this a lot in the independence campaign as the separatists have twisted facts and statements to suit their purpose. At a human level, it sounds clever in a political argument but it is not the wisdom from above that we are hearing; it is demonic wisdom.
Repeating a matter in this verse is to change and twist things to suit one's purpose.
Look at the effect of this: it SEPARATES very friends.
The shanah are divisive and bring separation. Their very words ("matter" in Hebrew is dabar, meaning word, command, promise) are designed to create splits and factions.
As they disseminate their message, it causes firm friends to be estranged from each other. The effect is the very opposite of God's Word, which brings unity and kinship.
We see this in Ephesians 4:16, speaking of the Body of Christ:-
From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
EPHESIANS 4:16 KJV
The word "compacted" here also means to reduplicate but means to drive together forcefully rather than separate.
In other words, the effect of the shanah is to mutate that which is of God i.e. the union and interdependence of the Body into something which is separate and independent.
God brings people into oneness through principles of unity, union and harmony. But the principle of shanah is to rebel against this process. It is the spirit of the loner, the rebel and independent-minded. It is also the spirit of contention, which has its root in pride.
The shanah are arrogantly self-sufficient and brook no disagreement with their pronouncements. What they say goes and no amount of logic or rationale will sway them.
Sound familiar?
To summarise, the shanah are those who want to change our nation's way of life as a Christian kingdom. In the case of the separatist movement, they want to eradicate our status as a Christian kingdom and replace it with a secular republic. Proverbs 24:21 is a powerful argument to reject this utterly.
And the shanah are divisive and separate the closest of friends Proverbs 17:9).
There are many Christians who believe that our British Royal family are descended from the biblical King David. Not all of these Christians are British Israelites, with whom the belief is a key tenet of faith.
You don't have to believe this about the British Monarchy in order to form a compelling Bible-based conviction that messing with our kingdom way of life and the structure of that kingdom is not a wise thing to do.
The words of the Master are enough in themselves to make us steer clear of separation ideologies:-
Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand.
MATTHEW 12:25 KJV
This stark and sober warning should be enough to make us shun the break-up of our United Kingdom.
Desolation and ruin are down the path of separation.
The shanah are among us. Have nothing to do with their poisonous lies and devilish ideology.
And certainly pray that they may be delivered from their condition and brought into unity once more.
Those who have ears to hear, let them hear.
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