INTRODUCTION: The Bible refers to the enlarging of something 26 times. To enlarge simply means to make larger. Yet, as with so many Bible words, it has many blessings in the use God makes of the word. As an introduction, consider these basic uses of the word:
- Deuteronomy 12:20 When the LORD thy God shall enlarge thy border, as he hath promised thee, and thou shalt say, I will eat flesh, because thy soul longeth to eat flesh; thou mayest eat flesh, whatsoever thy soul lusteth after.
- Deuteronomy 19:8 And if the LORD thy God enlarge thy coast, as he hath sworn unto thy fathers, and give thee all the land which he promised to give unto thy fathers;
- Job 12:23 He increaseth the nations, and destroyeth them: he enlargeth the nations, and straiteneth them again.
We will look at scripture and find how enlargement works in our lives:
- ENLARGEMENT OF HELL
- Hell Hath Enlarged Herself
- Isaiah 5:14 Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it.
- Perhaps a description of the time when the Ole Testament saints are removed from the heart of the earth
- As the Man Who Enlarges his Desire
- Habakkuk 2:5 Yea also, because he transgresseth by wine, he is a proud man, neither keepeth at home, who enlargeth his desire as hell, and is as death, and cannot be satisfied, but gathereth unto him all nations, and heapeth unto him all people:
- He cannot be satisfied
- ENLARGEMENT OF TROUBLES
- Psalm 25:17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my distresses. 18 Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins.
- This is often the experience of Gods saints
- ENLARGEMENT OF OUR STEPS
- Psalm 18:36 Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip.
- God made the steps larger under our feet so we did not fall
- ENLARGEMENT OF OUR COAST
- The Prayer of Jabez: 1 Chronicles 4:10 And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.
- The Blessing of the Lord: Isaiah 54:1 Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the LORD. 2 Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes; 3 For thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited.
- ENLARGEMENT OF OUR MOUTH
- 1 Samuel 2:1 And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation.
- The Boldness of Praise
- ENLARGEMENT OF OUR HEARTS
- The Quality: 1 Kings 4:29 And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore.
- The Cause: Isaiah 60:5 Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee.
- The Result: Psalm 119:32 I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.
- The Blessing: 2 Corinthians 6:11- O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged. 12 Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels. 13 Now for a recompence in the same, (I speak as unto my children,) be ye also enlarged.
- ENLARGEMENT OF OURSELVES
- When we are in Distress: Psalm 4:1 Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.
- When Faith is Increased: 2 Corinthians 10:15 Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other men's labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly,
CONCLUSION: The Jews in the time of Esther and Mordecai needed deliverance. But they also needed enlargement. Are you in a straitness, a restricted place, today? Is the spiritual condition of your heart in a place too strait for you (2 Kings 6:1)? Perhaps you need to look to God to give you enlargement. Ask Him to enlarge your heart.
