No Priest, No Glory, No Good
1 Samuel Chapter 4,5,6
- The chapter opens with, and the word of Samuel to all of Israel, which seems strange at first, when you consider what happens next.
- The Israelite's went out to battle against the Philistines, there is no mention of any leaders consulting the High Priest or GOD’s new prophet Samuel.
- The people of Israel know who, or more to the point where to go to consult the word of GOD. Much like today, we also know where to go to find GOD’s word, but we choose to ignore it’s guidance and teaching. (Bible)
- When Israel is defeated in battle they decide to drag GOD into war by getting the ark and having Eli’s two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, bring it to their encampment.
- This is a prime example of carrying the name of GOD by two false leaders/ teachers into a place and conflict that doesn’t honour GOD and will only lead to judgement. Hophni and Phinehas are an example of the commandment (Exodus 20:7) do not take (carry) the name of your GOD in vain. If people who claim to be ambassadors of GOD (then and now) and continue to malign his name through their actions and words. Then things are not going to go well for them.
- There are false leaders, teachers today that claim they are carrying the name of the LORD, but in the end they are heading to destruction and taking with them all who choose to follow their lead.
- Even though the Philistines were afraid of Israel’s gods, they fought and won the battle.
- A great number of Israelite's were killed including Eli’s sons just as GOD had decreed.
- They captured the ark and this spoil of war would prove to the Philistines that GOD does not need an army to win a war.
- Eli receives the news about the death of sons and the capture of the ark, he falls backward, breaks his neck and dies. Being a stiff necked people towards GOD has its consequences.
- Phinehas’ wife dies in child birth and names her son Ichabod because the glory of GOD had departed, the ark had been captured.
- GOD’s glory hadn’t departed, GOD was on a field trip, after he taught Israel a life lesson, it was the Philistine’s turn to be home schooled. GOD was coming back and Samuel wasn’t worried in the least. It was all part of the God’s plan.
Chapter 5
- The Philistines take their spoils of war back to Ashdod and put the ark in the temple of Dagon their god.
- This place becomes a turf war for cosmic geography 1 not only was the image of Dagon found face down on the ground before the ark of the LORD, where it had fallen, the next day it happened again, but this time Dagon’s arms were broken from the fall. You could say the LORD dis-armed him in battle. (not much of a battle, more like falling prostrate).
- What is interesting and telling is the priests of Dagon will not step on the threshold of Dagon because that’s where he was defeated.
- In essence that threshold has become conquered territory of the God of Israel and the priests of Dagon dare not step on it.
- Statue breakage and Dagon humiliation was the least of their problems because GOD afflicted the people of Ashdod and its territory with tumors (hemorrhoid's possibly I don’t know?).
- The people of Ashdod convinced the Philistine lords to send the ark to Gath.
-The Same thing happened to the men of Gath, the god of Israel was not just the conquering god of the threshold of Dagon, but also in Gath. In all these places he was showing his authority, the area of cosmic geography was growing in the eyes of the Philistines.
- lastly it was again moved to Ekron and the people were not happy.
- People were dying wherever the ark was sent showing that GOD doesn’t need an army he just chooses to work that way.
Chapter 6
- The ark of the LORD was a pain in butt for the Philistine’s for seven long months. Their priests and diviners suggested sending the ark back to Israel on a new cart pulled by two dairy cows and along with a guilt offering, one for each Philistine lord. They reminded them of what had happened to the Egyptians and the Pharaoh when they had hardened their hearts.
- The Philistines were still trying determine if all that had happened to them was just coincidence or actually caused by the god of Israel, if the cows went straight down the road and out of their territory to Beth-shemesh, then it was the Israelite's god who did all of this to them.
- When the ark arrived at Joshua of Beth-shemesh, some of the men there handled GOD’s ark improperly and died because of their actions. Instead of waiting and consulting with Samuel, or Levite priests on how to handle the ark properly, just like the war, things did not go well for them.
- When we choose to handle the word of GOD irreverently and don’t give the respect that is due to the KING of Kings and the LORD of Lords. It doesn't matter if that person is a priest or layperson, especially if they claim to be GOD’s people they should already know and be taught - You shall not take (carry/bear) the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who (carries/bears) takes his name in vain. Deuteronomy 5:11
As dearly beloved children, carry “the Name” of GOD with reverence wherever you go and whatever you do.
Next – The ark takes a sabbatical and kings aren’t trump jokers are
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