The hand of God

Weekly Bible study: 1 Samuel 5

God doesn't make holy objects. But there are times when He allows his glory to be seen in strange ways.

Take the capture of the ark of the covenant by the Philistines. It is clear that God did not make the ark some kind of super-power-object. The Israelites had turned it into an idol and thought they would defeat the Philistines with the ark in their midst. But God allowed the Philistines to capture it.

However, when the Philistines put the ark in the temple of their deity - the idol falls over during the night and lies prostrate in front of the ark. This image has to be "restored to its place" (a telling commentary that). The next day - same thing - only now the head and hands of the idol have broken off.

Now look at what happens. The hand of the Lord was heavy against the Philistines. The difference between the broken hands of the idol and the mighty hand of God is stark.

But yet the Philistines do not turn to God - instead - they ask that the ark be sent away.

How much we face a similar situation in our world today. Despite many clear signs of God's power - people are still asking to send the true and living God away - rather than turn to Him in worship.

The Bible says that the people of the world are blinded by the god of this age (2 Cor. 4:4).

Our challenge continues to be not to just demonstrate the power of God - but also to help people see His great love that He has for us - every one of us.

The hand of God that was powerful and heavy against the Philistines (and the Israelites too from time to time) - offered itself to have nails pierced in it out of love for each person (1 Tim. 2:4-7).

God's glory

We are working our way through the saving history of God with his people Israel.

Last night we explored the terrible calamity of the ark of the covenant falling into the hands of the Philistines (1 Samuel chapter 4).

How can God allow such a holy object to be captured an ungodly people?

Part of the answer is that in the end there are no ‘holy objects’ – only a holy God. He will not share His glory with anyone – even such a historically key thing like the ark which housed the tablets on which God had written the 10 commandments – and Aaron’s budding staff. The ark had become an idol. The Israelites said the it had led them out of Egypt – and it would give them victory. Hardly. God allowed the foolishness to be un-masked. He was willing to have the symbol of his presence go into exile and captivity – because the people of Israel had been persistently abandoning Him.

The key is that the ark was the ‘ark of the covenant’. It was the covenant that was important – not the gold overlaid wooden box. The covenant needs two parties to be a live agreement. God had never let his part down. The Israelites had done so almost continually.

The other part of the answer is that God desired to start afresh. God’s judgment was served on the evil priests of Phineas and Hophni – men actively oppressed, were sexually immoral and despised everything that was holy while greedily feeding themselves from the offerings of the people. Their aging father had half-heartedly tried told them to stop – but did not take any real steps to remove them as he should have. His gradual physical blindness mirrored the spiritual blindness as he become ever more spiritually impotent – and hugely fat.

The glory of God departed. But God’s presence and his plan continued. Samuel – the silent observer to all this was being groomed by God himself – and is about to start his public ministry.

Where are we in this story? Are we like Hopni and Phineas – blatantly using the name of God to justify our own fleshly desires? Are we like Eli – compromised and vacillating – unable to make a stand for what he knows is right? Or are we like Samuel – pure and devoted – regardless of the corruption and immorality around us?

May the Spirit of the Living God help us to be faithful to Him. He has wonderful plans for us – far greater than anything even Samuel was able to do.

A request

Each week we are learning from God's word. Besides encouraging everyone to come prepared to share what they have learned from God - most of our fellowships have a regular teaching time from the Bible.

Could we try and put together a 1 page summary of what we have learned and post it on this blog? As we prepare for the teaching times - can we not make a short outline and put it up for others to be blessed by?

God is speaking - and we do not want what He says to us to just drift away...

In the beginning....

Dear Friends,

We are creating some space to share what God is teaching us.

We hope that each one of you will be blessed through seeing what God is telling us these days - and in the days to come.

Let us not get weary of meeting together - but rather, let us spur each other on to love and good deeds! (Heb. 10.24)

Blessings,

Andi Eicher