March 7 - I Samuel 4-7
This passage gives many insights into life as it tells us about the defeat of Israel by the philistines and the death of Eli and his wicked sons. The whole story is a picture of what was wrong with God' s people at this time. However, it does have a good ending in that the people returned to the Lord and won the victory over the philistines.
The disaster began when Israel attacked the philistines without calling on God first. They were soundly defeated. Their solution was to bring the Ark of God into their camp as a good luck charm. The mere presence of the Ark would have to bring victory wouldn't it? They were trusting in religion or ritual when God was looking for relationship. Therefore, when they went to battle the second time 30,000 soldiers died, the Ark was captured, and the sons of Eli were killed. When the news was delivered to Eli he fell dead, and his daughter-in-law went into labor, but she died in childbirth. Her son was named Ichabod, because the glory of God had departed from Israel with this terrible defeat and the loss of the Ark. This is an account of complete despair brought on by a lack of having a close relationship with God. It is pathetic to see the two wicked sons of Eli bringing the Ark of the Lord into the camp, and the people trusting in this outward symbol for their salvation from their enemies. All the while God was looking at their hearts.
When the philistines got the Ark, they learned a great lesson, too. The people were struck with tumors and died until the Ark was returned in a way that proved God had done this to them. They learned that God can protect Himself and His interests. He doesn't need an army. Today, we don't need to defend God as much as we need to reveal Him to others. He can take care of Himself.
Even when the Ark was returned, Israel learned another lesson about the Lord and sin. The people were happy to have the Ark back, but in their rejoicing they opened the Ark to look inside. God had strictly commanded them not to touch the Ark. Therefore, God killed 50,070 people to punish their sin. If you think that is extreme, you don't understand God's holiness and His hatred of sin.
Then, Samuel steps up to take Eli's place as the Judge in Israel. He calls the people back to God. He tells them to forsake their idols. The people respond to His challenge, and they implore him to continue to cry out to God for them. Then, they go back into battle with God's blessing. God confuses the enemy, and they defeat the philistines completely. What a difference real relationship with the Lord makes! God does not respond to ritual, but He loves relationship. He loves to bless a heart that truly seeks Him.
Tomorrow, I intend to read I Samuel 8-10.
The disaster began when Israel attacked the philistines without calling on God first. They were soundly defeated. Their solution was to bring the Ark of God into their camp as a good luck charm. The mere presence of the Ark would have to bring victory wouldn't it? They were trusting in religion or ritual when God was looking for relationship. Therefore, when they went to battle the second time 30,000 soldiers died, the Ark was captured, and the sons of Eli were killed. When the news was delivered to Eli he fell dead, and his daughter-in-law went into labor, but she died in childbirth. Her son was named Ichabod, because the glory of God had departed from Israel with this terrible defeat and the loss of the Ark. This is an account of complete despair brought on by a lack of having a close relationship with God. It is pathetic to see the two wicked sons of Eli bringing the Ark of the Lord into the camp, and the people trusting in this outward symbol for their salvation from their enemies. All the while God was looking at their hearts.
When the philistines got the Ark, they learned a great lesson, too. The people were struck with tumors and died until the Ark was returned in a way that proved God had done this to them. They learned that God can protect Himself and His interests. He doesn't need an army. Today, we don't need to defend God as much as we need to reveal Him to others. He can take care of Himself.
Even when the Ark was returned, Israel learned another lesson about the Lord and sin. The people were happy to have the Ark back, but in their rejoicing they opened the Ark to look inside. God had strictly commanded them not to touch the Ark. Therefore, God killed 50,070 people to punish their sin. If you think that is extreme, you don't understand God's holiness and His hatred of sin.
Then, Samuel steps up to take Eli's place as the Judge in Israel. He calls the people back to God. He tells them to forsake their idols. The people respond to His challenge, and they implore him to continue to cry out to God for them. Then, they go back into battle with God's blessing. God confuses the enemy, and they defeat the philistines completely. What a difference real relationship with the Lord makes! God does not respond to ritual, but He loves relationship. He loves to bless a heart that truly seeks Him.
Tomorrow, I intend to read I Samuel 8-10.