10^th December 2024

Alex Buabeng-Korsah

Theme: THE BURDEN OF HIS GLORY

THEME SCRIPTURE: "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." 1 Samuel 4:18 KJV

PREPARATORY QUESTION

1. How important is God's glory to you?

In the days of Eli the priest, the Ark of the Covenant, which was the symbol of God's presence, was carried into battle. The essence of this act was to bring the presence of God to bear on a losing war. It was anticipated that once the ark arrived in Israel's camp, victory would be assured. Unfortunately, the Israelites did not know that once the relationship with God was broken, symbols and tokens of God were mere. To their surprise, Israel was completely defeated before the Philistines. The two sons of Eli who ministered before the ark were killed and the Ark of the Covenant was captured. Never in the history of Israel had the sacred ark fallen into the hands of the uncircumcised. How could this sacred ark that dwells between the cherubim be captured by the heathen? What could have warranted such disgrace and misfortune? Why has God delivered Israel and the sacred ark of His presence into the hands of the enemy?

Countless questions began to run through the minds of everyone who heard of this total defeat of Israel.

Remember, when God appeared unto Samuel for the first time, His first statement was profound. God said, "Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of everyone who hears it shall tingle" (1 Sam 3:11). Beloved, it was of the Lord that Israel was defeated; it was of the Lord that the ark was captured.

In all of the accounts of this tragedy that befell Israel, one thing stood out—the people understood what makes Israel unique and special. It is God's presence, God's glory. Such that the absence of the abiding glory meant disaster to the chosen people. Eli, the priest, had been waiting for the news of the battle. His heart had been trembling all the while for the ark (1 Sam 4:13). A young man who had escaped from the battle had brought the bad news. Eli's eyes were dim due to old age but his ears could serve him well. Three things were reported to the priest in this order: Israel had been defeated, your sons have been killed, and the ark has been captured (1 Sam 4:17). Immediately Eli heard that the ark had been captured, he fell off his seat backward, broke his neck, and died (1 Sam 4:18). It didn't end there. Eli's daughter-in-law (Phinehas' wife) was pregnant. At the hearing of the bad news regarding the ark, the demise of her father-in-law, husband, and brother-in-law, she went into labor (1 Sam 4:19). When she was informed by her midwives, "It is a baby boy," she was not amused. It meant nothing to her. She rather yielded to death because she felt it was not worth living when the glory of God had departed from Israel (1 Sam 4:20). She named the baby in that same hour I-chabod (inglorious) because of the ark. She died in labor (1 Sam 4:21-22).

The city cried, not because of the defeat of Israel, but the absence of the ark. Eli cared less for the loss of his sons but the Ark of the Covenant. Eli's daughter-in-law found no pride in being alive, and being a mother at a time God's glory had departed. They all knew the value of His presence and His glory.

When men do not know the value of God's glory in their midst, they tolerate sin and play with iniquity.

Adam lived in His presence and he didn't have to sweat. The day sin separated him from His presence, toil, thorns, and thistles came into his life. Beloved, how important is the glory of God to you? How jealously are you guarding against the departure of His glory in your family? Or has the glory already departed because of sin, guile, or transgression? Then, it is time to seek your Lord. For life outside His presence is not worth living.

Remain blessed.

FURTHER READING: 1 Samuel 4:1-22

Call to Salvation: Today is your day if you have not received salvation by turning over your life to Jesus Christ. Click here to do so.

QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD

1. How important is the glory of God in your life to you?
2. What can make the glory depart from your life?

PRAYER

Precious Father, I affirm that by your word which I have received today, I am cleansed and your glory is fully restored and beaming in my life. I receive grace to walk in the light of your word so that my path will continue to shine brighter and brighter unto the perfect day. Hallelujah!

ONE-YEAR BIBLE READING

Job 12,  Nahum 1, Nahum 2, James 5