So the Israelites put away their Baals and Ashtoreths, and served the LORD only. I Samuel 7:4 (Chapters 4-7)
The power of Israel’s God was known far and wide since the days of the Egyptian plagues, but the Israelites were suffering defeat in battle against the pagan Philistines. In answer to their defeats, they devised a plan to carry the most sacred thing they had in front of their army as they went into battle. They degraded the Ark of the Covenant to the status of talisman. Instead of victory, Eli, his two sons, and a daughter-in-law died, along with thousands of other Israelites, and the Ark was captured. Israel was left in complete devastation.
The Philistines took the Ark as a war trophy and presented it before their own god, Dagon. God is not an inanimate object that accompanies bragging rights. Dagon is found face down (an appropriate posture of worship) before the Ark the morning after the ceremony. On the second night, Dagon is dismembered in the manner of a subdued king. (No question about who is God and who is not!) The Ark was removed and relocated, but death and disease followed.
In desperation, the Philistines return the Ark to Israel with a guilt offering and Samuel leads the nation in sacrifice, worship and repentance. Israel responds and rids themself of the Canaanite gods, returning to obedience and fear of the LORD. But the Philistines threaten Israel’s resolve. God uses the occasion to show just what He will do for those who remain faithful. The Philistines were defeated. (7:7-11)
One of my favorite events is Samuel’s raising of an altar, Ebenezer, stone of help, a place to remind the faithful of what God had done so far and affirm that He will response to their righteousness in the future. If you’re looking for a new landscaping idea, an Ebenezer is a good one.
Love,
Gretchen