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A FALSE HOPE DID NOT HELP ISRAEL
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12
1 Samuel 4

1 John 5:18-20

 

“…he that is begotten of God
keepeth himself, and that

wicked one toucheth him not.”

 

A FALSE HOPE DID NOT HELP ISRAEL
 
The Ark was a symbol of God’s presence in Israel. It served its intended purpose under Moses and Joshua. It was put to its right use also under faithful priests. Israel had spiralled down spiritually that they could not distinguish between righteousness and external objects.
 
Israel brought the Ark to the battlefield. The depraved sons of Eli were there and they followed the Ark. When it arrived, there was a shout in the camp of Israel as they had a false hope that the physical presence of the Ark would yield some magical powers to save them. The Philistines heard the noise in the camp of Israel and they were afraid. That fear was also due to their superstition in idol worship.
 
The Philistines saw the Ark as something similar to their idols. They were counting themselves on the losing end because they knew how God had assisted Israel to defeat nations when they came out of Egypt. However, they could not remain passive. They encouraged themselves that they were going to fight and not be servants to Israel. Though they feared the Ark of the God of Israel, they still saw a window of victory. Israel was on the verge of defeat. It was not the strength of the Philistine army that gave them eventual victory. The text reveals that it was God who delivered Israel into the hand of the Philistines.
 
The two sons of Eli (Hophni and Phinehas) died as Israel was defeated. In this second phase of the battle, Israel miserably lost thirty thousand, giving a total casualty of thirty-four thousand. It was after this second phase that a messenger ran to Shiloh and informed Eli of the death of his sons. He also told Eli that the Ark of the Covenant was taken by the Philistines. When Eli heard about the Ark, he fell from the chair and died. He was too old and could not bear the news of the tragedy. The Lord’s message, as conveyed to him by Samuel, had then come to pass.
 
THOUGHT: God’s justice is served when men rebel.

PRAYER: Father, may I always walk in Thy path of righteousness.

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