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GLORY DEPARTED FROM ISRAEL
LORD’S DAY, OCTOBER 13
1 Samuel 4

1 John 5:21

 

“The glory is departed

from Israel…”

 

GLORY DEPARTED FROM ISRAEL
 
The news of the defeat of Israel in battle with deaths of thousands was devastating. More so, the loss of the Ark of the Covenant to the hands of the Philistines was an added pain. Eli the priest fell and died when he heard the news. His daughter-in-law (the wife of Phinehas) was an expectant mother. When the news came to her, she developed labour pains. These reactions tell of the overwhelming feelings of the hearers as a result of that disaster. 1 Samuel 4:20-22 described the scene: “And about the time of her death the women that stood by her said unto her, Fear not; for thou hast born a son. But she answered not, neither did she regard it. And she named the child Ichabod, saying, The glory is departed from Israel: because the ark of God was taken, and because of her father-in-law and her husband. And she said, The glory is departed from Israel: for the ark of God is taken.” They lost hope because the Ark was a central figure in their worship. It represented God’s presence among them, but then it was in the hands of the enemy. These were the consequences of disobeying God.
 
The spiritual health of the nation was on the decline and it began in God’s house with the sons of Eli. It was for this reason that God had to bring pain upon them. God cannot overlook sin and when there is no repentance, He will mete out punishment for every sin committed. The whole history of Israel has many such examples. The golden calf episode is one example. Moses was away for forty days to meet with the Lord in Mount Sinai. When he returned, he found out that his brother Aaron had been persuaded by the people to make a golden calf. The nation then had to pay for that sin.
 
It is easy even for today’s church leaders to slide to such levels. Watch, lest God’s glory depart from your church, especially in today’s ecumenical climate.
 
THOUGHT: Faithful teaching of God’s Word and obedience to His instructions retain God’s glory in the church.
PRAYER: Father, may my church ever contend for true faith without turning back.

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