Lyrics for The Dance of Two Camps

MAHANAIM
Based on Genesis 32:1-2, 9-10; Song of Songs 6:13; Romans 9:16; 1 Peter 5:5; Revelation 3:8, and Crystallization-Study of Song of Songs, Message 12
Music and lyrics by Matthew David Fritz

The angels of God I met on the way
Armies encamped in battle array
Fear held its sway but now I esteem
The place of God’s camp called Mahanaim

Like an army of angels (oh, like an army of angels)
Bright as the light of a lamp (bright as the light of a lamp)
Oh, to just gaze upon her (oh, to just gaze upon her)
Gaze on the dance of two camps

It‘s not him who wills, nor of him who runs
The feeble and weak ones shall overcome
The proud I resist, to humble give grace
Power, though small, great trials efface

Like an army of angels (oh, like an army of angels)
Bright as the light of a lamp (bright as the light of a lamp)
Oh, to just gaze upon her (oh, to just gaze upon her)
Gaze on the dance of two camps

Your unfailing love and faithfulness shown
For naught did I have when I left my home
Since I’ve returned to where I came from
I crossed over Jordan and now two camps I’ve become

Like an army of angels (oh, like an army of angels)
Bright as the light of a lamp (bright as the light of a lamp)
Oh, to just gaze upon her (oh, to just gaze upon her)
Gaze on the dance of two camps

Return O Shulamite (oh, return)
Mah-Mahanaim
That we may gaze upon you (oh, to gaze)
Gaze upon the dance of two camps

Return O Shulamite (oh, return)
Mah-Mahanaim
That we may gaze upon you (oh, to gaze)
Gaze upon the dance, the dance of two camps

LOT
Based on Genesis 13; 14; 19
Music and lyrics by Matthew David Fritz

Lot lifted up his eyes, saw the entire plain of the Jordan
Watered well with peaceful skies, reminiscent of the garden of Jehovah
Carried on and journeyed east, left Abram with one or the other
Said it was to bring in peace, until Abram had to fight for the brother

Your choice was so inclined
To dwell among the blind
Her pillar will remind
Don’t ever look behind

The battle was among the kings, one had fled and reported you were taken
Like an army fit with wings, Abram never thought of leaving you forsaken
Kings of four defeated five, yet behind the scenes you had an intercessor
To ensure you’d stay alive through heaven and earth’s sole possessor

Your choice was so inclined
To dwell among the blind
Her pillar will remind
Don’t ever look behind

Peradventure there be fifty righteous within
Without Abraham’s plea, you’d be condemned in their sin

Cries among the wicked grew till their outcry had reached as far as heaven
You were righteous yet you knew the whole are compromised by just a little leaven
They urged you not to linger on lest you die in the imminent destruction
Fire came and you were gone, your soul was spared but your seed bred corruption

Your choice was so inclined
To dwell among the blind
Her pillar will remind
Don’t ever look behind

WRESTLING WITH GOD
Based on Genesis 32:24-30, and Life-Study of Genesis, Message 75
Music and lyrics by Matthew David Fritz

Please tell me your name, I’m not very clear
Did you come from above? Were you already here?
Things which I thought I understood are not what I thought
Now I’m left all alone wrestling with God
I’m all alone wrestling with God

I see the dawn breaking, my strength hasn’t failed
In struggling with God and with men I prevailed
My battles came plain for me to see, but not who I fought
Now I’m left all alone wrestling with God
I’m all alone wrestling with God

How could it be you came to wrestle with me
And why did you wait so long and tolerate
A supplanter such as me?

Forever remember the name of that place
Subdued by his touch, I saw God face to face
Foes which I thought were enemies were just a facade
Now I’m left all alone wrestling with God
I’m all alone wrestling with God
I’m all alone wrestling with God

SARAH
Based on Genesis 12:11-13; 18:9-15, and Life-Study of Genesis, Message 50
Music and lyrics by Matthew David Fritz

Sarah, you’re beautiful, conspire to spare my soul
Sarah your graciousness alone can make me whole

Sarah, when will you shun the fear your time is done?
Sarah, to My grace succumb, know you will have a son

If all My promises you’d realize
Could I not do what’s marvelous in your eyes?

Sarah, why did you laugh?
Is anything too great for Me to demonstrate?
Sarah, though your years have passed
When the time of life is due, I will return to you

Sarah, you don’t have to lie, nor from My shining hide
Sarah, all your fears confide in me, I’m El Shaddai

If things impossible you’d let me show?
Through visitation all My grace you will know

Sarah, why did you laugh?
Is anything too great for Me to demonstrate?
Sarah, though your years have passed
When the time of life is due, I will return to you

THE SILENT YEARS
Based on Genesis 27-47, and Life-Study of Genesis, Message 93
Music and lyrics by Matthew David Fritz

In my supplanting days, full of unrighteous ways
All that my hands had received came through the ones I deceived
Fled from my father’s land, into my uncle’s hand
Though tender love I would find, enduring dealings remind me of
The person that I used to be

And after all these silent years
Bereft of all my heart contained
Just as an emptied jar of tears
I’m open to be filled with heavenly rain

Knowing my strength was too much, I was subdued by His touch
Odious trouble befell, pressed on to Bethel to dwell
Under the burial oak, there was my comfort revoked
Through bitter loss, life was gained, never would I be the same
Person that I used to be

And after all these silent years
Bereft of all my heart contained
Just as an emptied jar of tears
I’m open to be filled with heavenly rain

Even though signs would point to his end
Maybe perhaps I’d see him again
God only knows as much, so by his gracious touch
I would just open to Him

And after all these silent years
Bereft of all my heart contained
Just as an emptied jar of tears
I’m open to be filled with heavenly rain

JUDAH
Based on Genesis 49:8-12; Revelation 4:10; 5:5, and Life-Study of Genesis, Message 99
Music and lyrics by Matthew David Fritz

Judah your brothers will praise you
Your hand upon those who forsake you
My sons will bow down, kings cast their crowns
Peace in your kingdom abounds
Peace in your kingdom abounds

Like a victorious lion
Resting, he couches in Zion
Just as a lioness guards her cubs lest
Anyone rouse him from rest
Anyone rouse him from rest

The scepter won’t depart from you
Nor the staff between your feet
Until Shiloh comes

Judah your brothers will praise you
Your hand upon those who forsake you
My sons will bow down, kings cast their crowns
Peace in your kingdom abounds
Peace in your kingdom abounds

Binding his foal to the vine
He washes his garments in wine
Dark are his eyes, teeth shining white
Nourished by riches of life
Nourished by riches of life

SEVEN YEARS
Based on Genesis 29; 48:7; 1 John 4:18, and Life-Study of Genesis, Message 109, 70, and 90
Music and lyrics by Matthew David Fritz

A stone rolled on the mouth of a well
Where the children of the east and the shepherds dwell
Flocks lying in the heat of day
A shepherdess came along the way
I drew near and rolled the stone
Began to water your sheep
Kissed you and began to weep

Waiting seven years was like a day because of our love
Sorrow’s bitter tears could never stay because of our love
Here there is no fear, it’s cast away because of our love

He said tell me what your wages should be
Surely one of my kinfolk shouldn’t serve me free
The lovely one to whom my heart adheres
For her I’d serve you for seven years
When I claimed that my time was complete
At least so I believed
Never thought I’d be deceived

Waiting seven years was like a day because of our love
Sorrow’s bitter tears could never stay because of our love
Here there is no fear, it’s cast away because of our love

My love for you will never change
Through every situation by God arranged
Honesty and faithfulness
Toward you will my endless love profess
When sorrow came you made me believe
And so shall you be
On my heart continually

Waiting seven years was like a day because of our love
Sorrow’s bitter tears could never stay because of our love
Here there is no fear, it’s cast away because of our love

EL SHADDAI
Based on Genesis 15; 17:1, and Life-Study of Genesis, Message 47, 81, and 44
Music and lyrics by Matthew David Fritz

Don’t be afraid, for I will be your shield
Since it is a child you lack, it will be revealed

Look up and gaze at the heavens, count the stars you see
So shall your seed be, if you just believe

Heaven and earth I’m Possessor, even God Most High
Yet the seed will be through you, by My faith inscribed

So I now appear again, but now I come as the
All-sufficient One, I’m everything you need
Oh, I’m everything you need

Brought you from your home, out of wickedness
To your inheritance, to a place of rest

Concerning the seed, you believed, it was accounted as righteousness
As for the land you will receive, this is my covenant unto you

Lay down the halves of your offerings, guard from birds of prey
Lest they rob your enjoyment, drive the fowl away

And when the sun sets upon you in the darkest night
I’m a furnace refining and a torch of light

So I now appear again, but now I come as the
All-sufficient One, I’m everything you need
Oh, I’m everything you need

Now that I appear again, you know that I am the
All-sufficient God, I’m everything you need
Oh, I’m everything you need
As El Shaddai, the All-sufficient One

REBEKAH
Based on Genesis 24, and Life-Study of Genesis, Message 60
Music and lyrics by Matthew David Fritz

The matter surely comes from God
Whose providence you seek
She blossomed on the path you had trod
Submissive, kind, and meek

Will you go and be joined to the man?
When    you            see                 him
Will you go, will you give him your hand?
Will        you              love                 him?
How do we know if we’ll see you again
Will              we               see you again?
Rebekah, will you go?

O may she stay with us and abide
Perhaps ten days or so,
Lest fear give rise to turn her aside
Thereafter she may go

Will you go and be joined to the man?
When    you            see                 him
Will you go, will you give him your hand?
Will        you              love                 him?
How do we know if we’ll see you again
Will              we               see you again?
Rebekah, will you go?

O come Rebekah let us inquire
Your feeling thus to know
God’s purpose shown, our earnest desire
O tell us will you go?

Will you go and be joined to the man?
When    you            see                 him
Will you go, will you give him your hand?
Will        you              love                 him?
How do we know if we’ll see you again
Will              we               see you again?
Rebekah, will you go?

THREE PILLARS
Based on Genesis 28:13-22; 31:38-54; 35:1-20, and Life-Study of Genesis, Message 91
Music and lyrics by Matthew David Fritz

Heat by day, night’s frost gave way; sleep had fled from my eyes
And of what was lost I bore the cost of all that met it’s demise
O Dread of Isaac, God of Abraham, by Your grace I now stand
And before your eyes a pillar testifies how I’m under Your hand

Know wherever you go
Never from you will I leave
All that I promise receive

Bethel’s sight had come by night, manifest as a dream
As a vow I made, what it conveyed was far from what it would seem
My vow fulfilled I’ve come to build Your house as Your providence planned
And before Your eyes a pillar testifies how I’m under Your hand

Rise up, where I appeared
There shall you go up to dwell
Realize El-Bethel

Loss and gain, both joy and pain at once upon me did strike
Behold her voice, my natural choice, still weeps over martyrs alike
Despair abounds where promise is found for those who would walk in this land
A Son will save for upon her grave You’ll find that a pillar now stands
And before Your eyes three pillars testify how I’m under Your hand

NOT SO FAR AWAY
Based on Genesis 23, and Life-Study of Genesis, Message 59
Music and lyrics by Matthew David Fritz

Rest my love and wait here for tomorrow
Never did we live life for today
Eagerly I wait despite my sorrow
Tomorrow is not so far away
Tomorrow is not so far away

Choicest is the place for you to lie and rest
Nothing less than full price would I pay
Ever will the trees in our field attest
A place of life is not so far away
A place of life is not so far away

Sarah, wait here for me now, knowing this is only the gate
Gently rest here in this place, until night begins to fade
And the dawn it breaks—only then will we no longer wait

Better is the country after which we long
Therefore know our God is not ashamed
Till we meet again there where we belong
Jerusalem is not so far away
Jerusalem is not so far away

Sarah, wait here for me now, knowing this is only the gate
Gently rest here in this place, until night begins to fade
And the dawn it breaks—only then will we no longer wait

MANASSEH
Based on Genesis 41:51-52
Music and lyrics by Matthew David Fritz

Last time they were seen I was seventeen
Yet memories like surging seas still rise and fade
Seasons of my father’s life have passed me by
Yet scattered dreams and endless streams of sorrow stayed

There was a time when trouble came
And joy was met with pain
Yet looking back I won’t regret
My hope was shackled down with shame
But now I’m not the same
For God has made me to forget

Before the year of famine came my son was born
And twenty years of fruitless tears an end had met
Forces that besieged my mind with bitter scorn
No more invade for God has made me to forget

There was a time when trouble came
And joy was met with pain
Yet looking back I won’t regret
My hope was shackled down with shame
But now I’m not the same
For God has made me to forget

Oh, O Manasseh
Oh, O        God has made me to forget
Oh, O Manasseh
       O        God has made me to forget

There was a time when trouble came
And joy was met with pain
Yet looking back I won’t regret
My hope was shackled down with shame
But now I’m not the same
For God has made me to forget