Revering the Word
1 Samuel 4 There are significant consequences for not consulting God.
Good morning everyone. This morning we were in 1 Samuel 4. You might recall that in chapter 3 God called Samuel and gave Samuel a word about what was going to happen with Eli and his sons and that their priesthood would be removed. And Samuel was beginning to be revealed to Israel as a prophet and someone who could speak on behalf of God, yet he was still young. And let's now take in chapter 4 with that backdrop. Thus the word of Samuel came to all Israel. And it was beginning to be spread that Samuel was someone who could hear from God, yet maybe because he was still young they're not seeking him in this chapter, meaning they're not seeking God's wisdom and they're not seeking God's wisdom through Samuel. And as a result Israel makes a lot of mistakes. But then again God is planning on the fact that there's going to be a removal of Eli and his two sons as priests and perhaps they're not going to seek God because God's going to allow them his prophecy to be fulfilled in their destruction. So let's go ahead and take it in here. Now Israel went out to meet the Philistines in battle and camped beside Ebenezer and the Philistines camped at Affek. Now in the Philistines arranged themselves to meet Israel. And I guess one of the things that you know I wish now maybe again because he was young they didn't do it but they should have went to Samuel and said hey Samuel should we go up in battle against the Philistines. But again perhaps this is God's design that they're not yet going to seek God and Samuel the way they should so that they can face the punishment that is due them. So the battle spread in Israel was defeated before the Philistines who struck down about 4000 men on the battlefield. Then the people came into the camp and the elders of Israel said why has Yahweh defeated us today before the Philistines. And you know again why didn't they go and consult the man of God or the young man of God. They asked the question why is he allowed us to but they don't seem to want to hear from him. Let us take to ourselves from Shiloh the ark or the covenant of Yahweh that it may come among us and save us from the power of our enemies. Now God did not ask them to do this what they're going to do is take the ark of the covenant which you know had rested in the tabernacle and was a place where God's glory was revealed. And they're just going to go snatch that thing out of its resting place and say oh we're going to bring it out to battle yet they didn't ask God to do that no one told them to do that they're just doing that on their own. And it was not a good idea and Eli who you know is still the older priest and charged it doesn't say they consulted him but I'm guessing they did and he went along with it or allowed it. You know sometimes we've seen that problem in Eli's life that although sometimes he would know better or even know better like what his son should do and not do he wouldn't enforce it. He wouldn't take strong leadership and he would he let sinful things take place. And that appears to be what we have here so they think that they're going to bring this ark with them and as a result that God's going to be with them but really they're not consulting God. So the people sent to Shiloh and from there they carried the ark of the covenant of Yahweh of hosts who sits above the cherubim and the two sons of Eli, Hopni and Phineas were there with the ark of the covenant of God. And it happened that as the ark of the covenant of Yahweh came into the camp all Israel shouted with a great shout so that the earth was thrown into confusion. Then the Philistines heard the noise of the shout and said what does the noise of this great shout in the camp of the Hebrews mean. Then they knew that the ark of Yahweh had come into the camp and the Philistines were afraid for they said God has come into the camp. And they said woe to us for nothing like this has happened before woe to us who shall deliver us from the hand of these mighty gods. These are the gods who struck the Egyptians with all kinds of plagues and the wilderness. That's interesting. They're afraid of God and they're afraid that maybe God will be with Israel because of the ark of the covenant. But it's interesting with all this fear they kind of gird up their lines and fight anyways. So what they say next is be strong and become mental Philistines lest you become slaves to the Hebrews. Even though they're concerned they actually are able to muster up the courage to go ahead and fight. So again they say be strong and become mental Philistines lest you become slaves to the Hebrews as they have been slaves to you. Therefore become men and fights. So they get some bravery these Philistines to come up against Israel. So the Philistines fought and Israel was defeated and every man fled to his tent. And the slaughter was very great for their fell of Israel. 30,000 foot soldiers. And the ark of God was taken and the two sons of Eli, Hopney and Phineas died. Now this is utter destruction. Israel's defeated. The ark is in enemy hands. And Eli's two sons are dead just as Samuel predicted earlier what happened to them. Now a Benjamin ran from the battle line. This is somebody from Israel and came to Shiloh where Eli was the same day with his robes torn and dust on his head. And he came and behold Eli was sitting on his seat by the road eagerly watching because his heart was trembling for the ark of God. You know maybe he had doubts about why he let that thing go with them he should have. Now the man came to tell it in the city and all the city cried out. Then Eli heard the noise of the outcry and he said what does the noise of the common commotion mean. So the men came hurriedly and told Eli. Now Eli was 98 years old and his eyes had set so that he could not see. And the man said Eli I am the one who came from the battle line. Indeed I fled from the battle line today. And he said how did things go my son Eli said to him. Then the one who brought the news answered and said Israel has fled before the Philistines. And there has been a great slaughter among the people and your two sons also Hapni and Finnehas are dead. And the ark of God has been taken. Wow. And it happened that when he mentioned the ark of God Eli fell off the seat backward beside the gate and his neck was broken and he died. For the man was old and heavy then he judged thus he judged Israel 40 years. And that's sadly the ending fate of Eli. A man who many times knew better but yet didn't do what was right. And he's dying with the ark of God having left Israel and Israel defeated. You know one of the things we've seen through the book of Judges and even early on here in the book of Samuel is that you know what there's blessing for following God and there's consequence for not. And we've got to be willing to do the hard things. We've got to be willing to stick with God no matter what. And in the end it's going to be so much better. And I believe even in this life because God's ways are blessed. God's ways are good. And God knows and God sees so it's like you know what let's do what's right honor the Lord and you will have greater blessing now but even more so greater blessing in the life to come. Maybe learn you know sometimes it seems like as humans we have to learn for ourselves but there's wisdom in learning from the Bible. There's wisdom from learning from others mistakes and to learn that you know what doing life in our own eyes doing what's right in our eyes it's not going to lead to good it's going to lead to bad and it's going to lead to consequences. So may we learn that without experiencing it and may thus we honor the Lord with the way we live our lives. Now his daughter now his daughter-in-law Finneas' wife was with child and about to give birth. And she heard the report that the Ark of God was taken and that her father-in-law and her husband had died. So she kneeled down and gave birth for her pains came upon her. And about that time of her death the woman who stood by her said to her do not be afraid for you have given birth to a son. But she did not answer or pay attention she's distraught and she called the boy Ichabod saying the glory has departed from Israel because the Ark of God was taken because her father-in-law and her husband. And she said the glory has departed from Israel the Ark of God was taken. Ichabod means the glory has departed or no glory and what a sad state of affairs that her son gets that name in such a terrible time. Now the truth is God has not departed. God is still going to be with Israel and in fact he's now going to begin to work through Samuel and he's going to work to develop a line of kings. Ultimately that's going to come through David and there's going to be restoration in Israel but God was allowing Israel to be punished for their poor behavior and for the poor leadership of Eli and his sons. And that is also going to enable Samuel to really be recognized as someone that they should look to and trust now that Eli has departed. So we're going to begin to enter a new season and it's going to be slow to come and David's not going to do everything right. But God is going to give Israel a chance and he's actually going to bless Israel's socks off and the next generation and a half so much good is going to end up happening for Israel. But what are they going to do when they're blessed? That's going to end up being the question. What's Israel going to do when they're going to be blessed? Will they when they receive the blessing of God, follow God or will despite God's blessing will they follow away? Well I think you know the story and you know even though bad circumstances can pull us away from God or pull us towards God, good circumstances can do the same. Sometimes when we're so blessed we fail to seek God and sometimes the hard times are what draws us near to him. So most of all no matter what happens whether good or bad stick with the Lord because he is the way, the truth and the life. God bless you all.