Control - When External Threats Come - 1 Samuel 7 - June 20, 2010

Bible Study – Control – When External Threats Come – June 20, 2010

This is lesson three (3) in our series entitled “God is Still in Control.”

Our scripture is 1 Samuel 7:2-17.

In our last lesson, the Philistines had defeated the Israelites. The Israelites wanted a sure victory over the Philistines so they decided to use the Ark as a good luck charm. They did not consult GOD. They took the Ark from Shilo where it had resided for over 100 years to the battle site. The Israelites seeing the Ark shouted out so loud the ground shook. The Philistines knew that they had brought the Ark to the battlefield and they fought twice as hard and not only defeated the Israelites, they also captured the Ark. They thought by doing so, their god, Dogan, was greater than the GOD of Israel. GOD quickly revealed to them that HE was greater than their god, Dogan.
The Philistines placed the Ark in the temple of their pagan god. The next morning, when they walked into the temple, their god Dogan was face down, prostrate before the Ark. They set Dogan upright. The very next morning Dogan’s torso was prostrate toward the Ark and Dogan’s head and hands were placed at the entrance of the temple. This got the attention of the Philistines and they did not waste any time returning the Ark to the Israelites.

The Philistines returned the Ark to Beth-shemesh. Some Israelites looked into the Ark and GOD struck seventy (70) men down. Those in Beth-shemesh were ready for someone else to take the Ark and sent word to the Israelites in Kiriath-jearim (KIHR ih ath – JEE uh rim) which was about fifteen miles east of Beth-shemesh. The Ark would remain in Kiriath-jearim until King David took it to Jerusalem.

Israel felt a national shame for disobeying GOD and misusing the Ark. They mourned for twenty (20) years. The Ark was put away like something to be feared. During that time Samuel grew into a leadership role as priest and judge.

It is interesting the time GOD allowed to go by for HIS people to come to their senses. Twenty (20) years passed and finally the people came around to see that they needed to worship GOD.

GOD never moves. HE is always available to those who seek HIM. Notice that those who seek HIM come to HIM on HIS terms.

Let’s read 1 Samuel 7:2-6:

2 Time went by until 20 years had passed since the ark had been taken to Kiriath-jearim. Then the whole house of Israel began to seek the LORD. 3 Samuel told them, “If you are returning to the LORD with all your heart,[2] get rid of the foreign gods and the • Ashtoreths that are among you,[3] dedicate yourselves to[4] the LORD, and worship only Him. Then He will rescue you from the hand of the Philistines.” 4 So the Israelites removed the • Baals and the Ashtoreths[5] and only worshiped the LORD. 5 Samuel said, “Gather all Israel at Mizpah, and I will pray to the LORD on your behalf.”[6] 6 When they gathered at Mizpah, they drew water and poured it out in the LORD’s presence. They fasted that day, and there they confessed, “We have sinned against the LORD.” And Samuel [began to lead]* the Israelites at Mizpah as [their]* judge.

Samuel had been preaching to the people during those twenty (20) years. They finally got the message and sought the LORD. Samuel told them what they must do to restore their relationship with GOD. They must get rid of their foreign gods.

Even today we have foreign gods that prevent us from worshipping GOD through our SAVIOR and LORD JESUS. They are not gods made of wood or stone but are things we allow to come between us and our LORD such as money, alcohol, drugs, sex, cheating, stealing, fame, power, success and the list goes on.

Samuel made it clear if they were serious about coming back into favor with GOD they
had to get rid of the things that came between them and GOD. Samuel named Baals and the Ashtoreths. Baal was believed to be the son of El, chief deity of the Canaanites. Baal was regarded as the god of thunder and rain; therefore, he controlled vegetation and agriculture. Ashtoreth was considered a goddess of love and war. In Babylon she was known as Ishtar and Aphrodite in Greece. She represented fertility.

Since the time of Joshua’s death, the Israelites were tempted to embrace both the Baals and the Ashtoreths because they were responsible for the growth of their crops. How often do we as Christians hang onto our “good luck charms” instead of placing our trust in our SAVIOR AND LORD JESUS CHRIST? It is sad to think, in our enlightened world of today that we place such trust in things rather than GOD. Doing so robs us of the joy of serving our LORD and having the joy of watching HIM work mightily through our lives.

The Israelites did as Samuel instructed them. Then he instructed them to gather at Mizpah and he would pray for them. Mizpah was located about five (5) miles from Jerusalem. Mizpah means “lookout” or “watchtower” and had been a place for the tribes to meet in the days of the judges. So Mizpah was a historic site and Samuel called them to this site for special prayer for the nation of Israel and recommitment to GOD. Israel had repented of their sins as expressed by getting rid of their gods.

Samuel was acknowledged for the first time as judge at Mizpah. He also acted as priest. He told them that he would pray to GOD on their behalf. They drew water and poured it out onto the ground. They fasted and confessed their sins against the LORD. The drawing of the water and pouring it onto the ground was symbolic to show that they were serious in trusting GOD. Water was necessary for sustaining life but they would trust GOD to sustain their lives and their future. It showed their sincerity and commitment to GOD.

Let’s read 1 Samuel 7:7-11:

7 When the Philistines heard that the Israelites had gathered at Mizpah, their rulers marched up toward Israel. When the Israelites heard [about it]* , they were afraid because of the Philistines. 8 The Israelites said to Samuel, “Don’t stop crying out to the LORD our God for us, so that He will save us from the hand of the Philistines.” 9 Then Samuel took a young lamb and offered it as a whole • burnt offering to the LORD. He cried out to the LORD on behalf of Israel, and the LORD answered him. 10 Samuel was offering the burnt offering as the Philistines drew near to fight against Israel. The LORD thundered loudly[7] against the Philistines that day and threw them into such confusion that they fled before Israel.[8] 11 Then the men of Israel charged out of Mizpah and pursued the Philistines striking them down all the way to a place below Beth-car.

The Philistines got word that the Israelites were gathered in Mizpah. The Philistine leadership in several Philistine cities concluded this was the opportune time to finish off the Israelites so they pulled together their warriors to attack Israel. The Israelites heard that the Philistines were coming and they were afraid. The Israelites had placed their trust in GOD, would they hold or run? They went to Samuel and asked him to continue to pray to the LORD because HE would save them. This was a show of faith and confidence in both Samuel and GOD. Their hearts had truly changed toward GOD. When threats come our way, who do we turn to?

Samuel offered the blood sacrifice of a young lamb in a purification ritual. It was to signified that worshipers were offering themselves wholly to the LORD. Samuel was the spokes person between the attitude and sincerity of the hearts of the people and GOD. Samuel concluded that the people were sincere, thus the sacrifice of the young lamb.

The Philistines were getting closer and closer, when all of a sudden the LORD made an unmistakable noise in the heavens that sent a message that only GOD can send. The Philistines went into a state of confusion and the Israelites did not hesitate. They went after them and won the battle.

In ancient times warriors thought that battles were fought on earth as well as in the heavens. The Philistines had already encountered the GOD of Israel twenty (20) years earlier. They knew HIS power and when HE let them know that HE was on the side of the Israelites, they knew it was time to retreat. By the same token the Israelites knew it was time for them to fight. Battles are easier when GOD is fighting with you and your heart is in harmony with HIM.

The Apostle Paul tells us in Ephesians 6 that, as Christians, we fight battles every day between earth and the heavenly realm.

Ephesians 6:10-12:

Christian Warfare
10 Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by His vast strength. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the tactics[10] of the Devil. 12 For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.[11]

The Israelites defeated the Philistines. It was a moment to celebrate and commemorate.

Let’s read 1 Samuel 7:12-17:

12 Afterwards, Samuel took a stone and set it upright[9] between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer,[10] explaining, “The LORD has helped us to this point.” 13 So the Philistines were subdued and[11] did not invade Israel’s territory again. The LORD’s hand was against the Philistines all of Samuel’s life. 14 The cities from Ekron to Gath, which they had taken from Israel, were restored; Israel even rescued their surrounding territories from Philistine control. There was also peace between Israel and the Amorites. 15 Samuel judged Israel throughout his life. 16 Every year he would go on a circuit to Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah and would judge Israel at all these locations. 17 Then he would return to Ramah because his home was there, he judged Israel there, and he had built an altar to the LORD there.

Samuel celebrated and memorialized the victory by setting up a stone between Mizpah and Shen. He named the stone “Ebenezer” which means “stone of help.” It was a reminder to the Israelites of their repentance as a nation and coming back to GOD to obediently serve HIM and regain confidence and trust in HIM. As a result the Israelites won the battle against the Philistines.

GOD gives Christians certain milestones along their Christian walk as reminders of certain victories in their lives. These are anchors and reminders of GOD’S deliverance, help and assurance. When the going gets rough we may need to be reminded of GOD’S assurance that HE will provide the strength to overcome an addiction or weakness in our lives. HE provides an anchor or milestone.

The Israelites had confidence in GOD and the cities which the Philistines had taken were restored to them. There was peace between the Israelites and Amorites. The Amorites likely referred to remnants of Canaanites who lived in the land. Israel’s defeat of the Philistines established them as a military force to be respected.

Samuel judged Israel throughout his life. He had a circuit every year that he rode - Bethel, Gilgal and Mizpah to act as judge. As judge, Samuel was more than a judge who handled lawsuits and criminal cases but he also led Israel into battle and judged their spiritual commitment to the LORD. Once Samuel completed his annual circuit, he returned home to Ramah.

Samuel kept the Israelites accountable to GOD. This is the role of the HOLY SPIRIT in the lives of Christians. We all need to be searched from time to time to allow the HOLY SPIRIT to see if there is any wicked way within us.

When external threats come our way, are we prepared to stand fully clothed with the armor of CHRIST and fight the battles? Do we depend upon the power of the HOLY SPIRIT within us or do we rely upon religious artifacts to win the battles we encounter?

Remember 1 John 4:4:

4 You are from God, little children, and you have conquered them, because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

A special thank you to all who prayed for me during my hip surgery. The surgery went well and I am recovering nicely.