RPG Adults
THE PROVIDENTIAL CHASTENING HAND OF GOD (I)
SATURDAY, MARCH 18
1 Samuel 4:1-9
Jeremiah 26:1-6
“Then will I make this house
like Shiloh…”
THE PROVIDENTIAL CHASTENING HAND OF GOD (I)
Samuel was recognised in all Israel as God’s representative. He was the man of God and God would speak through him. 1 Samuel 4 thus presents to us the verity of the Word and the testimony of the LORD. What the LORD says will surely come to pass, it shall not fail. With this in mind, chapter 4 then is also a witness to the self-wilfulness of the people because though they all knew that Samuel was the man of God, there is no mention of his name in the whole chapter after verse 1. They did not seek him or consult him, or ask for the will or word of God at his mouth in their battle with the Philistines. They did not care for the LORD, but still wanted His care and protection as they fought the Philistines.
“…Wherefore hath the LORD smitten us to day before the Philistines?…” (1 Sam 4:3). Theirs was a question that should have led to self-examination, prayer and fasting, like when the Israelites were defeated at Ai. It would have led them to know their fault, their straying and their forsaking of the LORD. But did it have such an effect? No! Instead, their depravity and wilfulness took over, together with their idolatrous superstition. Proverbs 19:3: “The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD.” They thought they could force God’s hand by bringing the Ark of the Covenant into their camp.
“…and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God” (1 Sam 4:4). The children of Israel needed chastening, and the house of Eli had been appointed for punishment. To accomplish this, God used the Philistines. The Israelite camp in their conceit shouted with joy at the ark’s arrival, and the Philistines trembled at the shout of triumph that came from the Israelite camp. But was the LORD in the camp of the Israelites? Was the LORD with Hophni and Phinehas who had repeatedly and deliberately scorned and despised the offerings, ordinances and commandments of God? Would the LORD not deal with them as they had dealt with Him? The LORD will recompense them according to their deeds of unrighteousness against Him!
THOUGHT: (Read Psalm 18:25-26.)
PRAYER: Father, help me to live right with Thee and to joyfully submit to Thy Word.