Subscription Lists

In I Samuel Chapter 4 – we read of Israel experiencing a significant defeat – but remember, this is not the whole story. It is only one chapter. It follows on from what has preceded it, and there is much to come afterwards – but there is a message for us.

This Chapter can explain a lot of what happens to us, and why these things happen. Some things happen to us in this fallen world because of God’s judgment!

This is a dark Chapter, and Israel was experiencing a very low point, but something new was happening. Not only was the Lord on the march – someone else was on the march too in the shape of the Philistines.

“Ebenezer” means “Stone of help”. But they lost 4,000 men here.

Verse 3 – They questioned why they were defeated. The defeat made their hearts sink. They should have known why. It was because of their sin – and their disobedience and their behaviour at Shiloh.

Zechariah 7 verse 13 – ‘When I called, they did not listen; so when they called I would not listen’, says the Lord Almighty – not a verse frequently preached on – not a highly popular theme – but this is where we need the whole “Word of God” and not just selected acceptable parts of Scripture.

Leviticus 26 verses 3,7 and 8 – God had assured His people victory as long as they kept the Commandments. O how there is a need for of the Word of the Lord.

There is panic. Let’s bring the Ark. Let’s bring our God in a box. This is terrible.

They thought the symbol was all that was necessary – all that was needed – not so. The Ark was not a charm – it was not a talisman.

This was not the same as possessing the presence and power of God.

It was only a symbol – it was like the bread and wine – only a symbol – but when God is there – Oh what a difference! “IT” will save no-one!

They had a false trust in the symbol. We must never confuse symbol with reality.

They were more concerned with the Ark of the Lord, than the Lord of the Ark.

God did not go with them on this occasion – God’s blessing was withdrawn.

There is solemn wording here. They thought that if they had the box, they had God. No. Never! Did you notice that there is no mention of Samuel here – no reference to Samuel – no consultation. It is as though Samuel had no part in this campaign. Samuel was an Intercessor for the people.

Verse 5 – Religious enthusiasm is not a substitute for obedience and intimacy. Shout all you want, but if your heart is not right, it will not produce victory.

We see in the first verse that they felt so very confident – but these Philistines are opponents of the work of God. There is not a mention of repentance. They appear prepared to serve but without repentance and that is never any use. This is a people who had backslidden over a very long period and a new preacher had appeared on the scene. They were ‘high’!

They were ready to go with God, as they saw it, but God was not ready to go with them. Judgement came in spite of God raising up Samuel.

Chapter 7 verse 3 – it took Samuel 20 years to get around to saying that. These were things that had no business to be in their lives.

Read the King James Version for verse 2 .

Here we have an insight into the continuing ministry of Samuel.

When the crowds flocked to John the Baptist he asked for evidence of repentance.

Is that what we do today? Answer honestly.

“Lord God – Almighty and Loving Father – help us not to run away from this lesson – help us to understand how serious You are – and how serious Your Word is. Lord Jesus, enable us to see, we come in prayer before God Almighty – not god-almatey. Help us to see the difference and to live accordingly – teach us from this illuminating and revealing passage – in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

"God's Words For US" from Cecelia Lester

Courage