1 Samuel #06: an exposition of 1 Samuel 5:1-7:1. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, November 20, 2011.
Intro:
It has become commonplace. Common to the point we do not question it and probably don’t even notice it is happening. Living in defiance of God. I would submit to you it is a rare thing today to find anyone who is afraid of defying God. Let me ask you, “Do you tremble for those you know who live in defiance to the will of God?” Each of you knows someone who knows the will of God yet blatantly chooses to live in defiance of His will. Do you fear for them? Does it keep you up at night? Are you burdened by the fact they stand under the judgment of God? Why not? By the way when I say they live in defiance of God I’m not talking about those folks who stand with their fist raised to heaven and curse God. Rather I’m talking about those who seek to use God for their purpose or those who just feel He is not worth their time and consideration. I’m more concerned with those who “toy with God” or “who ignore Him altogether.” Israel had been defeated by the Philistines, their archenemy. They thought if they sent down to Shiloh and had the Ark of the Covenant brought up they would be assured victory. After all God’s reputation would be on the line. They didn’t win the battle. In fact they were routed! 30,000 men died. The army fled and the Ark of the Covenant was captured by the Philistines.
When news reached Shiloh that the army had been defeated, the two priests had died and the Ark had been captured panic set in. Eli died, Mrs. Phinehas died giving birth to a son and with her dying breath named her son Icabod, declaring the glory of God had departed. What now? Israel has no king. The high priest is dead. His successors both dead. Their God is in the hands of their enemy. What’s next?
Meanwhile in Ashdod the Ark of the Covenant has been brought to the house of Dagon, the pagan god of the Philistines. As far as the Philistines were concerned the god of the Hebrews was obviously no match for the great and awesome Dagon. They were overjoyed in their triumph.
The pagans are rejoicing.
The people of God are mourning.
What’s wrong with this picture?
Does it pay to know God or not?
Both are about to be taught a lesson through “Arkeology.”
Text: 1 Samuel 5:1-7:1
This section reads like the Grim Reaper meets the Keystone Kops!
Serious awful things happen yet there is humor in the way the Philistines respond.
At one point the Ark becomes a hot potato and nobody wants it yet they don’t want to let go of it.
Later when the Ark makes it back to Israel they rejoice but they would like for it to be somewhere else.
As we make our way through the text I want us to notice three things and then draw a conclusion.
- The supremacy of God prominently displayed. (5:1-5)
- The judgment of God painfully executed. (5:6-16:12)
- The holiness of God powerfully revealed. (6:13-7:1)
The story of the Ark is intended to shatter our pagan concepts of God.
He is not some tribal deity struggling to carve out his niche – he is the sovereign king of the universe.
He is not some benign idol to set on your shelf – he is the sovereign judge of all the earth.
He is not some tolerant, over indulging grandfather – but the holy one of Israel.
From this we learn…
Thesis: The living God cannot be used, manipulated, or managed. Spiritual power is not a matter of getting your hands on the right method or technology. The personal God cannot be reduced to an impersonal power, He is and forever will be the Sovereign King of all that exists!