Bad times
Israel has gone a long way down from its glory under Moses and Joshua. The Promised Land was theirs, but "every man did what was right in his own eyes" (Judges). But then we see a turning point, God sends a "miracle child," Samuel, and begins revealing himself. God sent his anointed prophet to anoint Israel's king and ancestor to the Messiah.
But in order for the kingdom to come, some cleaning out must happen first...the corrupted priesthood must be eliminated so God's true priest and prophet can prepare the way for the kingdom of God to come. So the priesthood is killed in a battle and their father dies. the only one left of that line is one baby. Is had happened because of a war, and in that war, the ark, God's presence, was taken hostage.
Ichabod
1 Samuel 4:22 says, "The glory has departed from Israel, for the ark of God has been captured.”
Israel again had gone so far away from God, doing whatever they wanted, that God was not being glorified by them. If God is not being glorified by his people, others will glorify him, even if they don't want to.
The Philistines took the ark and as part of their triumph, they put it in their temple. But God would not be shown up by a puny God, Dagon. God would be glorified over Dagon of the Philistines.
Glorified by Other gods
1 Samuel 5:7 says, "The ark of the God of Israel must not remain with us; for his hand is heavy on us and on our god Dagon."
Dagon's head on the floor. Who's the ruler now? God is glorified in the pagan temple, by the pagan God!
If God will not be glorified by his people, then he will be glorified by a pagan god.
Glorified by Other People
1 Samuel 6:5 says, "give glory to the God of Israel; perhaps he will lighten his hand on you and your gods and your land"
After plagues and trouble in their cities, the Philistines finally realized that God is in the trouble, so they get together and decide that they need to give God the glory.
If God will not be glorified by his people, then he will be glorified by pagan people.
Glorified by Providence
1 Samuel 6:9, 12 says, "And watch; if it goes up on the way to its own land, to Beth-shemesh, then it is he who has done us this great harm; but if not, then we shall know that it is not his hand that struck us; it happened to us by chance." ... "The cows went straight in the direction of Beth-shemesh along one highway, lowing as they went; they turned neither to the right nor to the left, and the lords of the Philistines went after them as far as the border of Beth-shemesh."
In an attempt to determine if God really was the one behind this, they set up an elaborate scheme to see if God controls cows and sends his presence back to his people. Of course God does is.
If God will not be glorified by his people, then he will be glorified by his acts of providence.
Taking God lightly
1 Samuel 6:20 says, "Then the people of Beth-shemesh said, 'Who is able to stand before the Lord, this holy God? To whom shall he go so that we may be rid of him?'"
Some Israelites found the ark. And apparently didn't know how to handle it. They handled it wrong and many people died. The glory of God returned to his people, but they didn't recognize it and treat God properly.
If God will not be glorified by his people, then he will be glorified by his acts of judgment.
God will be glorified in this earth even if no one is doing it.
Now what?
1 Samuel 7:2 says, "From the day that the ark was lodged at Kiriath-jearim, a long time passed, some twenty years, and all the house of Israel lamented after the Lord."
Israel had lost God's glory, and now they stood in captivity and turmoil. The ark of God, God's presence had left. What was to be done? They were to lament for the loss of God's glory, repent and seek God.
If God is not being glorified by his people, then we are to lament, repent and pray.
So God's people lament, repent and pray. God sends the last prophet/priest before a new administration and covenant comes, the kingship of David with its everlasting covenant that is ultimately fulfilled in Christ. Why? Because even the kingship under sinful men couldn't bring in God's kingdom to the world. But it did temporarily bring it.
So what?
So the application is twofold:
Repent, Lament and Pray
1 Samuel 7:3, 5-6 says, "If you are returning to the Lord with all your heart, then put away the foreign gods and the Astartes from among you. Direct your heart to the Lord, and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines." ..."Then Samuel said, 'Gather all Israel at Mizpah, and I will pray to the Lord for you.' So they gathered at Mizpah, and drew water and poured it out before the Lord. They fasted that day, and said, 'We have sinned against the Lord.'"
The Israelites repented by casting away their gods, lamented their sin and deplorable condition, fasted and prayed.
When God's glory has been lost in our culture and in our church, we must lament, repent and pray for revival and renewal.
Remember and Hope
We must not forget, however, that we are not in the restored kingdom, the new heavens and earth. Jesus our king saved us, but we are still being saved and waiting for our final salvation. Thus, we are not to hope for a utopia and a full-fledged kingdom, but we are to work as best we can to bring as much of God's glory to this world as possible, especially in our lives and in the church. Yet, we should be bringing God's glory in the world as well by working well, seeking justice and mercy, and walking humbly with our God.
Lord, we lament how so many of our churches have become no more than a place to hang out and enjoy food and friends (all good things). We lament how your glory has departed from so many churches, and so many lands. We repent of our being caught up in delights and pleasures and how we have taken lightly the presence of God. We pray that you would pour Holy Spirit upon us and revive your people to glorify you in our churches, in our homes, in our occupations, and in the world. Please help us and come quickly Jesus. Amen.
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