And she named the boy Ichabod, saying, “The glory has departed from Israel,” because the ark of God had been taken and because of her father-in-law and her husband. - Verse 21
Message: The Glory Departs from Israel
Time: This book is a biography of Samuel's life and career up to his death. It took place over a period of about 110 years, stretching from the closing days of the judges, when Samuel was born (ca. 1120 BC) through the death of Saul (1011 BC).
What the Lord is Saying: In verse 12, there is a man from Benjamin (some think this might be Saul) that runs from the Israel camp (at Ebenezer) to Shiloh -- about 20 miles -- and ground that could be covered in a day. It states he had "dust on his head." Thus, he is in mourning. Eli is present. Ei is an old man now. Eli is concerned about the Ark that is his responsibility.
The man describes the events - a big defeat, Eli's sons have died, and the ark has been stolen. Eli hears these words and falls backwards, breaking his neck and dying. It says, "he judged Israel for 40 years."
Phinehas wife gives birth now to a son. Hearing about all of the bad things that have happened to Israel, she names the child Ichabod which means - "The glory has departed from Israel."
The devotion here from Ligonier (Tabletalk) says, "When Scripture says that God has left His people, it means that He has taken His blessing from them, that He is no longer protecting the visible covenant people from harm." It speaks of these bad things happening to Israel the result of Israel not correctly following the Lord. I struggle with this quick prognosis every time something bad happens. It seems that God could possibly have different purposes than man.
I mean these people trusted God and they were trying to figure out a way to follow Him - they wanted to keep the ark of the covenant close by. I mean maybe the danger is thinking that at any time we can manipulate God. And sometimes God simply has a purpose that we don't understand right now and what we need to do is submit to Him. There are so many things in life that I just don't understand. And I stare at so many people doing things that are good - trusting God, praying, leaning on Him for strength and yet bad things still happen or things happen that we don't agree with.
Summary: Eli, after 40 years as judge, dies after hearing his sons have died, Israel has been defeated and the ark is taken by Philistines. Phinehas wife has a son, Ichabad meaning, "The Glory Departs from Israel."
Promise: We need to always surrender to God, no matter what. And trust that His outcome is best even when we don't agree.
Prayer: O God, I feel a need to trust You always God. And I believe that You as creator see and know things in ways that I don't understand. And that's okay. I can trust You. Always. What is important is continuing to live and continuing to walk by Your side. Thank you Holy Spirit that you are with me. That you live in me. I want you to fill me so that my life looks like You in me. You have the power to do things in me that I can't see or understand. I thank you for my life and giving me another day, another year this past year. Thank you for the gift of life up to this point. I want to keep designing things in my life my way but you are teaching me and I want to accept what you are doing and realize that it takes some figuring out. But I want to continue walking with You. Help me to navigate things. Help my kids. Be their God. Give them each hope and steadfastness with You.
Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.
No comments:
Post a Comment