Victory From Battles 04.02.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Tuesday April 2, 2008 and today we are continuing our study on the book of I Samuel. Please read Chapters 4-7 in your Bible or you can Click Here to read. Today we will read and learn about the Philistine's battle with Israel, the death of Eli; Israel is defeated and the Ark of the Covenant is taken then returned. Today's message focuses on the importance of learning that God is always with us and lead us to victory over our battles.

The hostile Philistines who lived on the coastal plains of the Mediterranean Sea, on the southwestern border of Israel, often declared war on God's people. They went to battle with Israel and Isreal had lost 4000 men. "And the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out against the Philistines to battle, and pitched beside Ebenezer: and the Philistines pitched in Aphek. And the Philistines put themselves in array against Israel: and when they joined battle, Israel was smitten before the Philistines: and they slew of the army in the field about four thousand men." (I Samuel 4:1-2).

Because they are losing the battle the Israelites decide they needed God in their midst so they foolishly take the most sacred Ark of the Covenant into battle and are not only defeated by the Philistines, Eli's sons die and the Ark is taken by the Phillstines. "And when the people were come into the camp, the elders of Israel said, Wherefore hath the LORD smitten us to day before the Philistines? Let us fetch the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of Shiloh unto us, that, when it cometh among us, it may save us out of the hand of our enemies...And the Philistines fought, and Israel was smitten, and they fled every man into his tent: and there was a very great slaughter; for there fell of Israel thirty thousand footmen. And the ark of God was taken; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were slain." (4:3,10-11). Because of their lack of spiritual insight, the Israelites' hopes were on the Ark, not on God who dwelt above the Mercy Seat and who alone has power to save.

Eli, who was old and blind, sat near the Tabernacle anxious to hear the outcome of the battle, but when he heard of their defeat ans that the Ark had been taken he fell backward and died. "Now Eli was ninety and eight years old; and his eyes were dim, that he could not see. And the man said unto Eli, I am he that came out of the army, and I fled to day out of the army. And he said, What is there done, my son? And the messenger answered and said, Israel is fled before the Philistines, and there hath been also a great slaughter among the people, and thy two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God is taken. And it came to pass, when he made mention of the ark of God, that he fell from off the seat backward by the side of the gate, and his neck brake, and he died: for he was an old man, and heavy. And he had judged Israel forty years." (4:15-18).

During the time of Eli and his two sons, Israel once again drifted far from the Lord and for many years they had been under control of the Philistines. However, when the Ark was in the hands of Philistine's destruction came where ever the ark went. The Philistine's finally realized that unless they gave the Ark back everyone who came in contact with it would be destroyed. "And the Philistines called for the priests and the diviners, saying, What shall we do to the ark of the LORD? tell us wherewith we shall send it to his place. And they said, If ye send away the ark of the God of Israel, send it not empty; but in any wise return him a trespass offering: then ye shall be healed, and it shall be known to you why his hand is not removed from you." (6:2-3).

Now, Samuel became judge and spoke to Israel, "And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return unto the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the LORD, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines. Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtaroth, and served the LORD only." (7:3-4). They also fasted on that day as well as confessed to God their sins. "And they gathered together to Mizpeh, and drew water, and poured it out before the LORD, and fasted on that day, and said there, We have sinned against the LORD. And Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpeh." (7:6). Their confession of sin was followed by a desire to be obedient to the Word of God. Our sinful ways also must be confessed and forsaken. There must be a determination to put away sins. For Israel this meant putting away the false gods and putting their trust and faith in God. Following their confession of sin and the desire to look to the Lord for guidance, Samuel prepared and offered a burnt offering sacrifice, symbolic of entire consecration to God.

While they were fasting and spending time with God the Philistines assumed it was an opportune time to attack only to be defeated. "And as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel: but the LORD thundered with a great thunder on that day upon the Philistines, and discomfited them; and they were smitten before Israel. And the men of Israel went out of Mizpeh, and pursued the Philistines, and smote them, until they came under Bethcar. Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us. So the Philistines were subdued, and they came no more into the coast of Israel: and the hand of the LORD was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel." (7:10-13).

The many years of domination by the Philistines over Israel could not be overthrown either by the supernatural strength of Samson or by the leadership of the other eleven judges, but it was terminated by the prayers of Samuel who was faithful to God. Samson, who represented the best of human strength, (See Judges 13:5) only began to deliver Israel, but through Samuel, who represented the power of prayer and obedience to His Word, the hand of the Lord was against the Philtinises.

The satisfying truth is that God works through men and women of faith, like Samuel, who display their trust in Him by their obedience to His Word. He will always protect us and deliver us from any battle that we face.

In today's reading Jesus Christ is revealed through the rock called Ebenezer, which means The Stone of Help (I Samuel 7:12). Jesus is the Rock of our salvation; our help comes from Him. "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (Phillipians 4:13).

Today's Psalm: 18:2
"The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower."

Today's Prayer:
Dear Lord,
Although I am called to go through many hardships, there isn't one that I face alone. Through my weakness You give me the strength to endure, in my folly You are the God of infinite wisdom, and in my fear I take hold of the hope You offer to me which is firm and secure. You will not abandon the work of Your hands, but fulfill Your purpose for me as You strengthen, sustain, and instruct me during my battles. In Jesus' name, I pray....Amen.

Have a wonderful day and God Bless you,
Christina

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