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No Comments Don’t Be So Cocky
In the fourth chapter of the book of Samuel we are told the story of Israel’s war with the Philistines. Israel set up camp at Ebenezer, the Philistines at Aphek. They were but two miles apart. Aphek was a major crossroad, north and south east and west.
Ebenezer means “stone of help”. Naturally it was assumed God would help them defeat their enemies. But like Samson, they were unaware that God wasn’t with them. Israel was into worshiping idols. They were defeated; four thousand soldiers left dead on the field.
Alright, it was time to get serious and bring in the big guns: the Ark of the Covenant. They sent Eli’s sons to carry it back, a definite “slap” in the face of God as those two boys were desecrating God’s name and place.
The Ark of the Covenant caused the soldiers to shout loudly which unnerved the Philistines. The Philistines had heard of the power of the God of Israel. Israel waged another attack and this time lost thirty thousand soldiers including Eli’s two sons were killed. The Ark of the Covenant was taken by the Philistines to Ashdod and set before the throne of Dagon their god.
The Philistines suffered greatly from setting the Ark before Dagon, but it is Israel who suffered the loss. They had a relationship with God and lost it. The Ark had no value to the Philistines or the Israel. Both were worshiping other gods. God could not abide the corruption of either. The power of God was manifest in the dismantling of Dagon and the power of God was absent in the slaughter of Israel. Israel was cocky. They were so sure if they “brought God” to the battle that they would win.
Some Christians are cocky too. They have the “trappings” of Christianity but don’t have Christ. When the battles come they find there is no oil in their lamp. Without their light burning they can’t be found in Christ. One will be taken and the other left. Imagine being left behind, wailing and gnashing of teeth, all the other “gods” fall and there is none left to worship, none who can save. It’s with fear and trembling we work out our salvation. Philippians 2:12 Just encouraging everyone including myself to be ready and know for certain you won’t be left behind.
Four thousand dead, thirty thousand dead, it’s a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Hebrews 10:31