The Legend of Honi, the Circle Maker

thecirclemaker.com
I have been reading one of the most inspiring books i have ever read. I learned so much about prayer and investing in my relationship with the Lord.  Join me in the next few weeks as i share my insights with you. To jump start this series, please read the story that founded this book.

The Legend

It was the first century BC and a devastating drought threatened to destroy a generation, the generation before Jesus. The last of the Jewish prophets had died off nearly four centuries before. Miracles were such a distant memory that they seemed like a false memory. And God was nowhere to be heard. But there was one man, an eccentric sage who lived outside the walls of Jerusalem, who dared to pray anyway. His name was Honi.1 And even if the people could no longer hear God, he believed that God could still hear them.

When rain is plentiful, it’s an afterthought. During a drought, it’s the only thought. And Honi was their only hope. Famous for his ability to pray for rain, it was on this day—the day—that Honi would earn his moniker.

With a six-foot staff in his hand, Honi began to turn like a math compass. His circular movement was rhythmical and methodical. Ninety degrees. One hundred and eighty degrees. Two hundred and seventy degrees. Three hundred and sixty degrees. He never looked up as the crowd looked on. After what seemed like hours, but had only been seconds, Honi stood inside the circle he had drawn. Then he dropped to his knees and raised his hands to heaven. With the authority of the prophet Elijah who called down fire from heaven, Honi called down rain.

“Lord of the Universe, I swear before your great name that I will not move from this circle until you have shown mercy upon your children.”

The words sent a shudder down the spine of all who were within earshot that day. It wasn’t just the volume of his voice. It was the authority of his tone. Not a hint of doubt. This prayer didn’t originate in the vocal chords. Like water from an artesian well, the words flowed from the depth of his soul. His prayer was resolute yet humble; confident yet meek; expectant yet unassuming.

Then it happened.

As his prayer ascended to the heavens, raindrops descended to the earth. An audible gasp swept across the thousands of congregants who had encircled Honi. Every head turned heavenward as the first raindrops parachuted from the sky, but Honi’s head remained bowed. The people rejoiced over each drop, but Honi wasn’t satisfied with a sprinkle. Still kneeling within the circle, Honi lifted his voice over the sounds of celebration.

“Not for such rain have I prayed, but for rain that will fill cisterns, pits, and caverns.”

The sprinkle turned into such a torrential downpour that eyewitnesses said no raindrop was smaller than an egg in size. It rained so heavily and so steadily that the people fled to the Temple Mount to escape the flash floods. Honi stayed and prayed inside his protracted circle. Once more he refined his bold request.

“Not for such rain have I prayed, but for rain of Thy favor, blessing, and graciousness.”

Then, like a well-proportioned sun shower on a hot and humid August afternoon, it began to rain calmly, peacefully. Each raindrop was a tangible token of God’s grace. And they didn’t just soak the skin; they soaked the spirit with faith. It would be forever remembered as the day. The day thunderclaps applauded the Almighty. The day puddle jumping became an act of praise. The day the legend of the circle maker was born. It had been difficult to believe the day before the day. The day after the day, it was impossible not to believe.

Honi was celebrated like a hometown hero by the people whose lives he had saved. But some within the Sanhedrin called the Circle Maker into question. A faction believed that drawing a circle and demanding rain dishonored God. Maybe it was those same members of the Sanhedrin who would criticize Jesus for healing a man’s withered arm on the Sabbath a generation later. They threatened Honi with excommunication, but because the miracle could not be repudiated, Honi was ultimately honored for his act of prayerful bravado.

The prayer that saved a generation was deemed one of the most significant prayers in the history of Israel. The circle he drew in the sand became a sacred symbol. And the legend of Honi the circle maker stands forever as a testament to the power of a single prayer to change the course of history.

Anonymous –   – (July 28, 2015 at 1:11 PM)  

Hi there! I hope you still remember me. This morning, I prayed that God will send me an angel who will lift my spirit and make me believe that He is working in my life despite my present situation. You see, I still am struggling and my struggles seem to get worse! I am in a state of confusion, sin and drought and I really don't know where to turn. This post, plus the one before this about parenting, are God-sent! I have also been struggling with disciplining my daughter as she has suddenly become resentful of school work. Honestly, I feel like I am at my lowest when I decided to take a look at your site again (I visit this every now and then, feeling sad if I do not see a new post). My spirit was awakened by your new posts! Thank God for you. I have also been praying for my guardian angel to whisper its name to me. Though I know I have an exclusive angel named Rafael, I have to surrender him to my daughter. So now, I know my guardian angel's name is Tiffany and my girl's guardian angel's name is Rafael. Thank you so much. I have so much to thank for and pray that God will finally take me out of the dark pit that I've been in for the longest time. Please pray for me too. God bless you and your family!...Mommy Marie

densandfan  – (August 10, 2015 at 4:26 PM)  
This comment has been removed by the author.
densandfan  – (August 10, 2015 at 4:28 PM)  

Hi Mommy Marie,

Of course I remember you! Thank you for constantly being an encourager to me. I am glad the blog has been helping you somehow.

I encourage you to speak to the Lord directly. Whether you feel it or not, the Lord understands your struggles and loves you and your daughter more than you can ever imagine.

Continue to pray for your daughter. Read my post on praying through. Even when we do not immediately see the results, we must keep on praying. You may just be a prayer away from the answer you are looking for!

God is your strength!

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