Hophni and Phineas, sons of Israel’s High Priest, Eli, had taken the precious Ark of the Covenant, which should have been in the Holy of Holies, onto the battlefield! There it was seized by the Philistines; the two priests were killed and Israel was defeated. The Ark was in the land of Philistia for seven months, and Yahweh ensured disaster followed it everywhere [it’s a great story, check out 1 Samuel 4-6]! When the terrified Philistines sent the Ark back it stayed in the home of Abinadab for twenty years, while Israel grovelled under the iron rule of the Philistines and wallowed in blasphemous, idolatrous worship.
Samuel, who had been serving in the Temple from childhood and was widely acknowledged as a prophet of Yahweh [1 Samuel 3:19-20], was still very young when this happened. I wonder what he was doing during those long, weary years? Was he warning Israelites of the dangers of their lifestyle, entreating them to return to Yahweh? Was he praying, crying, pleading for mercy? We’re looking at twenty years before the hearts of the people began, once again, to long for Yahweh! Have you been agonising in prayer for a long time? Take heart, Yahweh has heard you!
Surely Samuel must have been blessed when Israel eventually began to repent. He arranged a meeting at Mizpah for national prayer. As the ceremony commenced, the Philistines, hearing about the illegal gathering, began to march their armies towards Mizpah. The terrified Israelites begged Samuel to continue praying. As he did, Yahweh ‘thundered loudly against the Philistines’ throwing them into confusion and panic. The Israelites pursued the fleeing army, fighting and winning a great victory [1 Samuel 7:5-11].
Later Samuel erected a memento at Mizpah, saying, “Thus far [Yahweh] has helped us” [v12], acknowledging the wonderful work of Yahweh up to that moment. Yet the words also pointed forward. ‘Thus far’ holds a sense of there being more to come; we have been helped, even so we will be helped.
As we look back over 2021 and trace how, thus far, we have been helped, let us know, absolutely, that our faithful Father will continue to help us throughout 2022!
Banner image by Tumisu on Pixabay
https://pixabay.com/photos/year-2022-track-new-year-calendar-6786741/
You Are The BranchesClick to see the whole passage:
1 timothy 3:16 NIV - Beyond all question, the mystery from - Bible Gateway
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Roger Thomas
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