WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:11.200 If you would please remain standing and turn in your copy of God's Word to 1 Samuel 4. 00:00:14.080 --> 00:00:18.719 God tells us in 1 Timothy 3 that all scripture is spirit-breathed. 00:00:19.039 --> 00:00:23.379 In Hebrews 4, God tells us that his Word is living, powerful, and piercing. 00:00:24.039 --> 00:00:26.460 I'll read aloud to you as you follow along. 00:00:26.460 --> 00:00:30.660 When I finish this reading, I will say the Word of God for the people of God. 00:00:31.120 --> 00:00:36.060 If you receive God's Word by faith this way, then please respond by saying thanks be to God. 00:00:39.100 --> 00:00:40.320 1 Samuel 4. 00:00:40.700 --> 00:00:43.560 And I'm going to start in the middle of verse 1 here. 00:00:44.320 --> 00:00:50.679 Israel went out to meet the Philistines in battle and camped at Ebenezer, while the Philistines camped at Aphek. 00:00:51.200 --> 00:00:54.299 The Philistines lined up in battle formation against Israel. 00:00:54.299 --> 00:01:01.280 And as the battle intensified, Israel was defeated by the Philistines, who struck down about 4,000 men on the battlefield. 00:01:02.219 --> 00:01:05.579 When the troops returned to the camp, the elders of Israel asked, 00:01:06.159 --> 00:01:08.979 Why did the Lord defeat us today before the Philistines? 00:01:09.819 --> 00:01:12.679 Let's bring the Ark of the Lord's Covenant from Shiloh. 00:01:13.099 --> 00:01:15.840 Then it will go with us and save us from our enemies. 00:01:15.840 --> 00:01:24.040 So the people sent men to Shiloh to bring back the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord of Armies, who is enthroned between the cherubim. 00:01:24.760 --> 00:01:29.120 Eli's two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were with the Ark of the Covenant of God. 00:01:29.700 --> 00:01:36.060 When the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord entered the camp, all the Israelites raised such a loud shout that the ground shook. 00:01:36.060 --> 00:01:42.320 The Philistines heard the sound of the war cry and asked, What is this loud shout in the Hebrew's camp? 00:01:43.000 --> 00:01:47.359 When the Philistines discovered the Ark of the Lord had entered the camp, they panicked. 00:01:48.020 --> 00:01:49.879 A God has entered their camp, they said. 00:01:50.079 --> 00:01:52.400 Woe to us! Nothing like this has happened before. 00:01:53.079 --> 00:01:56.359 Woe to us! Who will rescue us from these magnificent gods? 00:01:56.359 --> 00:02:02.539 These are the gods that slaughtered the Egyptians with all kinds of plagues in the wilderness. 00:02:03.379 --> 00:02:05.920 Show some courage and be men, Philistines. 00:02:06.719 --> 00:02:09.759 Otherwise you will serve the Hebrews just as they served you. 00:02:10.000 --> 00:02:11.280 Now be men and fight. 00:02:12.039 --> 00:02:14.199 So the Philistines fought and Israel was defeated. 00:02:14.800 --> 00:02:16.579 And each man fled to his tent. 00:02:17.159 --> 00:02:18.199 The slaughter was severe. 00:02:18.680 --> 00:02:20.979 Thirty thousand of the Israelite foot soldiers fell. 00:02:21.699 --> 00:02:25.920 The Ark of God was captured and Eli's sons, Hophni and Phinehas, died. 00:02:27.080 --> 00:02:31.020 That same day, a Benjamite man ran from the battle and came to Shiloh. 00:02:31.540 --> 00:02:34.380 His clothes were torn and there was dirt on his head. 00:02:35.020 --> 00:02:42.300 When he arrived, there was Eli sitting in his chair beside the road watching because he was anxious about the Ark of God. 00:02:42.880 --> 00:02:46.480 When the man entered the city to give a report, the entire city cried out. 00:02:46.900 --> 00:02:50.340 Eli heard the outcry and asked, Why the commotion? 00:02:51.360 --> 00:02:53.500 The man quickly came and reported to Eli. 00:02:53.500 --> 00:02:59.099 At that time, Eli was ninety-eight years old and his eyes didn't move because he couldn't see. 00:02:59.840 --> 00:03:02.900 The man said to Eli, I am the one who came from the battle. 00:03:03.099 --> 00:03:04.139 I fled from there today. 00:03:04.840 --> 00:03:05.800 What happened, my son? 00:03:05.939 --> 00:03:06.560 Eli asked. 00:03:07.219 --> 00:03:13.259 The messenger answered, Israel has fled from the Philistines and also there was a great slaughter among the people. 00:03:13.259 --> 00:03:18.599 Your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, are both dead and the Ark of God has been captured. 00:03:19.560 --> 00:03:27.219 When he mentioned the Ark of God, Eli fell back in his chair by the city gate and since he was old and heavy, his neck broke and he died. 00:03:27.919 --> 00:03:29.959 Eli had judged Israel forty years. 00:03:29.960 --> 00:03:34.879 Eli's daughter-in-law, the wife of Phinehas, was pregnant and about to give birth. 00:03:35.360 --> 00:03:44.640 When she heard the news about the capture of God's Ark and the deaths of her father-in-law and her husband, she collapsed and gave birth because her labor pains came on her. 00:03:45.540 --> 00:03:51.760 As she was dying, the women taking care of her said, Do not be afraid, you've given birth to a son. 00:03:51.759 --> 00:03:54.479 But she did not respond or pay attention. 00:03:55.199 --> 00:04:06.579 She named the boy Ichabod, saying, The glory has departed from Israel, referring to the capture of the Ark of God and to the deaths of her father-in-law and her husband. 00:04:07.500 --> 00:04:12.139 The glory has departed from Israel, she said, because the Ark of God has been captured. 00:04:13.379 --> 00:04:15.399 The word of God for the people of God. 00:04:15.399 --> 00:04:16.839 Thanks be to God. 00:04:21.759 --> 00:04:28.439 The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of the Lord stands forever. 00:04:29.899 --> 00:04:32.879 Luke 1, no word from God shall be void of power. 00:04:33.939 --> 00:04:34.779 Will you pray with me? 00:04:34.779 --> 00:04:50.259 Lord, please make your word. 00:04:51.839 --> 00:05:00.619 The word of life, the gospel word, the word of our redemption, the living word of God and the word that became flesh. 00:05:00.620 --> 00:05:04.280 Make your word precious among us today. 00:05:04.379 --> 00:05:06.699 We ask for your glory. 00:05:07.220 --> 00:05:07.780 Amen. 00:05:12.899 --> 00:05:16.899 A famous president said this quote, Do something. 00:05:17.579 --> 00:05:19.740 If it works, do it more. 00:05:20.639 --> 00:05:23.420 That was the advice of President FDR. 00:05:23.800 --> 00:05:24.340 Do something. 00:05:24.480 --> 00:05:25.500 If it works, do it more. 00:05:25.500 --> 00:05:39.660 While this may be a good rule for most causes and effects, isn't it true that we often wrongly associate unrelated and sometimes bizarre actions with desirable results? 00:05:40.160 --> 00:05:43.379 Tiger Woods always would wear a red shirt on Sundays. 00:05:44.399 --> 00:05:50.279 The golfer, the football player, Brian Ulrucker, would always eat two cookies before a game. 00:05:51.220 --> 00:05:54.379 Wayne Gretzky would always put baby powder on his hockey stick. 00:05:54.379 --> 00:05:57.819 Now, here's one that maybe we do need to reform. 00:05:58.459 --> 00:05:59.000 I looked up. 00:05:59.079 --> 00:06:00.680 Why is it that people say knock on wood? 00:06:01.939 --> 00:06:13.279 Well, the Scots Irish who immigrated to the USA, they had this ancient belief in the Druids that lived in the forest, like these pagan spirits that lived inside the wood of the trees. 00:06:13.839 --> 00:06:17.420 So it's a way to get some Irish luck on something is to knock on wood. 00:06:17.519 --> 00:06:20.000 So we should stop being pagans by doing that. 00:06:20.000 --> 00:06:24.639 We'll see the Israelites have this same tendency. 00:06:26.959 --> 00:06:28.720 If something works, do it more. 00:06:29.420 --> 00:06:33.620 The Lord had told Joshua and the people of Israel, take the arch and march around the walls of Jericho. 00:06:34.160 --> 00:06:35.980 The walls came a-tumbling down. 00:06:35.980 --> 00:06:42.540 So the Israelites and their wise, you know, council of elders, let's do more of that. 00:06:43.160 --> 00:06:44.660 That was their whole battle strategy. 00:06:45.600 --> 00:06:49.939 But the Lord wants to train the people of God in something much more important. 00:06:51.140 --> 00:06:53.620 He wants to reveal his holiness. 00:06:53.620 --> 00:07:00.019 I think that's what we have on display in our chapter for today, 1 Samuel chapter 3. 00:07:01.319 --> 00:07:06.420 And this is exhibition number one of Hannah's wonderful poem and prayer. 00:07:06.720 --> 00:07:07.699 Do you remember what she said? 00:07:07.759 --> 00:07:08.379 Would you look there? 00:07:09.000 --> 00:07:10.680 Probably just a page or two back. 00:07:10.860 --> 00:07:13.959 1 Samuel chapter 2, verse 2. 00:07:13.959 --> 00:07:17.579 Hannah declared, 00:07:18.060 --> 00:07:23.519 There is none besides you, nor is there any rock like our God. 00:07:24.079 --> 00:07:27.379 For you are holy, and no one is holy like you, Lord. 00:07:28.819 --> 00:07:31.479 What does it mean that God is holy? 00:07:32.659 --> 00:07:35.659 To refresh your memory, Anselm of Canterbury said, 00:07:35.659 --> 00:07:39.939 The holy God is he of which nothing greater can be conceived. 00:07:39.939 --> 00:07:50.120 Holy means that God is absolutely above, much more magnificent, supremely other than anything else in all the cosmos. 00:07:50.379 --> 00:07:55.920 There's a strong distinction between the creator and creation and everything else. 00:07:56.879 --> 00:08:05.600 What I see in this chapter is the Lord revealing to his people and to the Philistine enemies that he is a holy God. 00:08:05.600 --> 00:08:12.900 So as we move through this passage, I invite you to watch with me and see how the Lord reveals his holiness. 00:08:14.580 --> 00:08:17.379 First, to whom does he reveal his holiness? 00:08:19.640 --> 00:08:27.180 Well, even to those who love this world more than his glorious face, the Lord reveals his holiness. 00:08:27.180 --> 00:08:35.399 He reveals his holiness even to sinners who love this world more than his glorious face. 00:08:35.899 --> 00:08:37.639 Look at verse 1 for context. 00:08:37.820 --> 00:08:42.000 Now Israel went out to battle against the Philistines. 00:08:42.440 --> 00:08:43.399 Who are the Philistines? 00:08:44.299 --> 00:08:47.759 You can picture them like a Viking warrior people. 00:08:48.060 --> 00:08:53.680 They're from the Mediterranean Sea and the island of Crete off the coast of Greece. 00:08:54.159 --> 00:08:56.180 So that's where they're originally from. 00:08:56.179 --> 00:09:01.639 And they became ambitious and wanted to try to conquer more lands touching their great seas. 00:09:01.919 --> 00:09:04.159 They attempted to take over all of Egypt. 00:09:04.579 --> 00:09:06.159 This is how mighty and fierce they were. 00:09:06.679 --> 00:09:12.159 Now they weren't able to secure the Egyptian land facing the Mediterranean ocean. 00:09:12.159 --> 00:09:18.439 So they went instead to the Asia, you know, the part where Israel's southern kingdom was being established. 00:09:18.440 --> 00:09:30.260 So along the southern coast touching the Mediterranean Sea, these Philistines now came over, took over villages, enslaved the people that used to live there and began to dominate the entire region. 00:09:30.600 --> 00:09:41.400 We saw how powerful they were in the book of Judges with even the mighty Samson giving up his life to kill many of them, but never to subdue the conquest of the Philistine army. 00:09:41.399 --> 00:09:43.600 The Egyptians called them the sea people. 00:09:44.120 --> 00:09:47.840 But now they're well established on land because they had this big Navy. 00:09:47.939 --> 00:09:51.059 They were able to then do trade all across the Mediterranean Sea. 00:09:51.159 --> 00:09:54.199 That's why they wanted the coast is they have access to iron. 00:09:54.200 --> 00:10:00.460 And with that iron, they can build up a mighty military that's going to dominate this entire region. 00:10:01.379 --> 00:10:11.540 Well, the Philistines, they encamped in Aphek and the Israelites, they encamped next to a big mountain. 00:10:13.020 --> 00:10:15.360 Verse one says beside Eben Ezer. 00:10:16.640 --> 00:10:19.520 Eben means stone and Ezer means help. 00:10:19.519 --> 00:10:25.720 So the big mountain right next to the Israelite camp is called Ebenezer, the stone of help. 00:10:27.559 --> 00:10:30.159 And the Philistines encamped on the field. 00:10:31.519 --> 00:10:32.860 Which is called Aphek. 00:10:32.980 --> 00:10:36.079 It's one of the earliest fortified royal Canaanite cities. 00:10:36.659 --> 00:10:39.679 It was near the source of the river Yarkon. 00:10:40.579 --> 00:10:41.779 So here comes spring water. 00:10:41.879 --> 00:10:45.059 We've got all the water we're going to need to feed all these thirsty soldiers. 00:10:45.379 --> 00:10:47.039 And it's on this open field. 00:10:47.039 --> 00:10:57.659 Now remember with this iron that they're importing, they're able to maneuver their chariots and strike an awe of fear at anyone who would try to come near their fortified city. 00:10:58.179 --> 00:11:00.459 The field was their home turf advantage. 00:11:00.980 --> 00:11:05.039 If you come down onto this field, get ready to be slaughtered by the mighty Philistines. 00:11:06.339 --> 00:11:10.039 Verse two, we're told that the Philistines put themselves in battle array. 00:11:10.039 --> 00:11:15.480 Well, without more details, we can picture ancient warfare. 00:11:15.659 --> 00:11:16.799 It's hand to hand combat. 00:11:17.299 --> 00:11:20.559 They've got their iron armory on their bodies. 00:11:20.759 --> 00:11:23.279 They've got their chariots being pulled by horses on the field. 00:11:23.659 --> 00:11:30.079 You can picture most likely these big flags and banners and drums and everything that would be used to display like a peacock. 00:11:30.559 --> 00:11:32.120 The might of their empire. 00:11:32.120 --> 00:11:39.000 The result is exactly what you would expect. 00:11:39.560 --> 00:11:40.779 The Israelites go to war. 00:11:41.919 --> 00:11:44.940 This plane and share plane of Sharon is the battlefield. 00:11:45.519 --> 00:11:47.200 It's an obvious mismatch. 00:11:47.759 --> 00:11:50.720 And the result is that 4000 Israelites die. 00:11:50.720 --> 00:12:00.620 In verse three, we read when the people had come into the camp, the elders of Israel said, now pay attention to the wording in verse three. 00:12:02.259 --> 00:12:06.800 Why has the Lord defeated us today before the Philistines? 00:12:08.320 --> 00:12:09.540 Doesn't that sound backwards? 00:12:10.360 --> 00:12:11.759 Doesn't it sound like you would read it? 00:12:12.680 --> 00:12:16.200 Why is it that the Philistines defeated us before the Lord? 00:12:16.200 --> 00:12:27.040 The phrase in the Hebrew Bible that the church has adopted is, you know, let your face shine upon me. 00:12:27.540 --> 00:12:30.600 You know, the face of the Lord is what you want to be living in front of. 00:12:31.300 --> 00:12:33.100 You want to be living all of your life. 00:12:33.280 --> 00:12:35.220 Corum Deo, before the face of God. 00:12:36.060 --> 00:12:42.220 And yet the elders, the leaders of the Israelites are more worried about what the Philistines see. 00:12:42.220 --> 00:12:47.500 What does this tell you about their view of God? 00:12:48.600 --> 00:12:57.580 God was obviously distant from them, and he's the one who now defeated them, put them to shame and embarrassment before this mighty worldly empire. 00:12:59.040 --> 00:13:00.320 I think of a child. 00:13:00.440 --> 00:13:06.139 No child wants to be disciplined in front of their rivals, put to shame. 00:13:06.139 --> 00:13:12.299 So the feeling of the people is that, well, we lost our honor. 00:13:13.860 --> 00:13:15.939 Why did the Lord embarrass us? 00:13:17.319 --> 00:13:23.019 They're more concerned for what the Philistines think of them, it seems, than for what Yahweh thinks of them. 00:13:23.019 --> 00:13:29.639 I need to confess, this is such a temptation in my flesh as well. 00:13:31.000 --> 00:13:36.720 That we get to be part of the kingdom of heaven, but here on earth, it's so small and simple and humble. 00:13:37.439 --> 00:13:44.100 And it's so tempting in my flesh to want to be more like the world with this battle array, you know? 00:13:44.579 --> 00:13:46.199 Strike awe and fear on the enemy. 00:13:46.200 --> 00:13:58.780 But no, the way of God's people is humble, and he's only pleased, and he's only with those who are contrite and who care more about his face than what the world sees. 00:14:00.320 --> 00:14:02.600 Whose face do you care most about? 00:14:02.600 --> 00:14:08.779 That's why I think this line from the hymn resonates with so many of us Christians. 00:14:09.100 --> 00:14:10.100 We're prone to wonder. 00:14:10.940 --> 00:14:11.879 Lord, I feel it. 00:14:12.360 --> 00:14:14.620 Prone to leave the God I love. 00:14:15.360 --> 00:14:17.940 But listen to the encouragement from Scripture. 00:14:18.759 --> 00:14:24.399 And I purposefully limited this encouragement to passages that could have encouraged the people of God at this time. 00:14:24.800 --> 00:14:27.540 Or the audience that would have been reading these books. 00:14:28.180 --> 00:14:30.040 Psalm 105, verse 4. 00:14:30.200 --> 00:14:32.420 Look to the Lord and his strength. 00:14:32.600 --> 00:14:35.360 Seek his face always. 00:14:36.060 --> 00:14:37.680 2 Chronicles 7, verse 14. 00:14:38.060 --> 00:14:47.139 If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven. 00:14:47.800 --> 00:14:50.779 I will forgive their sins and I will heal their land. 00:14:54.060 --> 00:14:55.399 See, Hannah was right. 00:14:56.139 --> 00:14:58.560 No one is holy like the Lord. 00:14:59.500 --> 00:15:00.879 1 Samuel 2, verse 2. 00:15:00.879 --> 00:15:06.399 For there is none besides you, nor is there any rock like our God. 00:15:06.399 --> 00:15:13.059 Even though the Israelites love the world more than they love the glorious face of God upon them. 00:15:13.980 --> 00:15:17.419 The Lord calls us to return to him once again. 00:15:18.039 --> 00:15:20.100 He reveals his holiness to them. 00:15:20.159 --> 00:15:21.500 And that's what he's doing in this story. 00:15:21.500 --> 00:15:24.840 Who else does the Lord reveal his holiness to? 00:15:24.840 --> 00:15:26.620 Number two. 00:15:26.960 --> 00:15:33.620 Even to unrepentant, proud manipulators, the Lord reveals his holiness. 00:15:34.000 --> 00:15:37.720 Even to unrepentant, proud manipulators. 00:15:37.720 --> 00:15:41.279 Let's see how the Lord reveals his glory to this group. 00:15:42.340 --> 00:15:51.200 Well, after the slaughter of these 4,000, rather than repenting, confessing that God has not been our king all along, we're living, doing whatever we want to. 00:15:51.680 --> 00:15:53.420 Whatever seems right in our own eyes. 00:15:53.419 --> 00:15:57.839 The strategy they come up with is instead to try to manipulate God. 00:15:59.179 --> 00:16:00.779 You can almost hear their logic. 00:16:01.719 --> 00:16:06.159 Since Yahweh did not defend our honor, let us be put to shame. 00:16:07.019 --> 00:16:09.699 Let's drag his honor into the war. 00:16:10.559 --> 00:16:11.579 Look at verse 3. 00:16:11.679 --> 00:16:13.139 Here's their great plan. 00:16:13.319 --> 00:16:16.819 Let's bring the ark of the covenant of Yahweh from Shiloh to us. 00:16:16.820 --> 00:16:22.660 When it comes to us, it will save us from the hand of our enemies. 00:16:23.360 --> 00:16:24.920 Look closely at verse 3. 00:16:25.040 --> 00:16:27.520 To what are they attributing salvation? 00:16:29.420 --> 00:16:35.480 When the ark comes to us and is among us, the ark may save us. 00:16:36.000 --> 00:16:36.760 Not the Lord. 00:16:37.180 --> 00:16:37.940 Not Yahweh. 00:16:38.600 --> 00:16:40.200 Not the host. 00:16:41.160 --> 00:16:43.540 The king of the host of the armies of heaven. 00:16:43.539 --> 00:16:48.620 Then, they're attributing it to the symbol, this ark of his covenant. 00:16:49.959 --> 00:16:51.639 In other words, they're thinking like this. 00:16:51.679 --> 00:16:53.439 We can manipulate the holy God. 00:16:54.120 --> 00:16:54.799 Bring the ark. 00:16:55.519 --> 00:16:59.819 Because everyone knows, including the Philistines, the ark is associated with our God. 00:17:00.699 --> 00:17:04.379 Then we can force God's hand to defend his honor. 00:17:04.899 --> 00:17:06.159 And we can win this war. 00:17:06.160 --> 00:17:20.320 They think that this sacrament or this symbol that God has given is a good luck charm or something with which we can manipulate God. 00:17:21.940 --> 00:17:24.120 Are we any better than this ancient people? 00:17:25.120 --> 00:17:26.880 In our flesh, we are not any better. 00:17:26.980 --> 00:17:28.000 We can be much worse. 00:17:29.500 --> 00:17:31.580 You'll notice this now that I point it out. 00:17:31.579 --> 00:17:38.339 If you're driving on the main road through our little town here, there's a sign in front of one of the biggest, most beautiful buildings. 00:17:38.500 --> 00:17:40.399 And it says, drive through ashes. 00:17:41.759 --> 00:17:42.740 Think about that. 00:17:43.399 --> 00:17:44.639 Drive through your car. 00:17:45.699 --> 00:17:49.179 Pastor Barbara or whatever her name is will put ashes on your forehead. 00:17:50.119 --> 00:17:55.220 You don't need to really be under the word or understand like what is the Bible ministering here. 00:17:55.299 --> 00:17:58.480 Just come get your ashes and we'll do a drive through for your convenience. 00:17:58.480 --> 00:18:01.599 Can manipulate God. 00:18:01.960 --> 00:18:02.960 It's not any better. 00:18:04.500 --> 00:18:05.599 Or here's another one. 00:18:05.680 --> 00:18:09.000 Many have the TV on at home and they have the Bible open. 00:18:09.079 --> 00:18:10.519 It seems like a Christian message. 00:18:11.460 --> 00:18:16.579 They're telling you, just repeat these words or claim that this thing happened and you'll be blessed. 00:18:18.680 --> 00:18:22.819 And they're seeking the blessing rather than the fount of every blessing. 00:18:23.099 --> 00:18:23.660 God himself. 00:18:23.660 --> 00:18:31.180 Our flesh wants to put our hope in a metal crucifix rather than on the one who was crucified. 00:18:32.540 --> 00:18:40.060 Some believe there is power in an atmosphere that man can manipulate through music or lights or fog machines. 00:18:40.960 --> 00:18:43.860 But our only true hope is in the holy God. 00:18:44.740 --> 00:18:45.840 And he is no creature. 00:18:46.279 --> 00:18:47.140 He's the creator. 00:18:48.180 --> 00:18:50.080 He will not be manipulated. 00:18:50.680 --> 00:18:50.940 Amen. 00:18:50.940 --> 00:18:53.900 Well, look at verse four. 00:18:54.000 --> 00:18:55.140 The narrator's voice. 00:18:56.759 --> 00:18:57.799 Adds a detail. 00:18:58.860 --> 00:19:06.400 While the elders are flippant about the Ark of the Covenant, it's it's a tool to be used to manipulate God. 00:19:07.100 --> 00:19:07.840 Look at verse four. 00:19:09.059 --> 00:19:11.380 The Ark of the Covenant of the Lord of hosts. 00:19:11.380 --> 00:19:19.060 There's that glorious name of God, the king of the armies of heaven who dwells between the cherubim. 00:19:19.700 --> 00:19:21.060 See, he does have a kingdom. 00:19:21.440 --> 00:19:26.360 He does have a throne and his holiness is guarded and protected by the cherubim. 00:19:26.840 --> 00:19:30.060 These fear striking celestial warriors. 00:19:30.760 --> 00:19:32.600 This is who we're really talking about. 00:19:32.599 --> 00:19:49.459 Now, Exodus chapter 25, verses 21 and 22 describe the Ark of the Covenant and the purpose of this Ark for God's people as they gather to worship him. 00:19:49.460 --> 00:20:10.220 See, this is the design and the intended purpose of the Ark of the Covenant. 00:20:10.220 --> 00:20:17.940 There's a throne on top of the Ark of the Covenant called the mercy seat that gets sprinkled with blood. 00:20:19.819 --> 00:20:26.299 And there's angels whose wings shoot away anything unholy from the mercy seat. 00:20:27.600 --> 00:20:32.460 Does that remind you of the Garden of Eden where the angels are brought in to keep anything impure out of the garden? 00:20:32.460 --> 00:20:40.039 And inside the Ark of the Covenant, the moral law is kept and sealed. 00:20:40.220 --> 00:20:43.980 The Ten Commandments, which are a covenant between God and his people. 00:20:46.220 --> 00:20:54.039 I hope that you see even in these shadowy form, the Ark of the Covenant represents the redemption of God by grace. 00:20:54.779 --> 00:21:00.400 God himself keeping his moral law and his covenant to graciously save a people. 00:21:00.400 --> 00:21:02.480 But he doesn't compromise his holiness. 00:21:02.700 --> 00:21:07.660 The wings of the cherubim, the host of angels' armies are protecting God. 00:21:08.040 --> 00:21:12.259 Well, he doesn't need their protection, but they're separating sinful man from holy God. 00:21:13.580 --> 00:21:16.280 That's the purpose of the Ark of the Covenant. 00:21:16.640 --> 00:21:23.860 It's to mediate and minister and remind sinners you get to be in fellowship and communion with God on God's terms. 00:21:24.780 --> 00:21:27.880 Because God is the one who keeps his covenant to you. 00:21:27.880 --> 00:21:31.600 And he says, this is my symbol to you of my presence. 00:21:32.080 --> 00:21:36.540 And God, in a created display of glory, fills the tabernacle. 00:21:37.040 --> 00:21:42.520 And he fills this area, bringing his presence into communion with his people. 00:21:43.460 --> 00:21:46.220 And this is why it's called the Ark of God's presence. 00:21:49.020 --> 00:21:53.020 The Ark is a visible word to God's people. 00:21:53.019 --> 00:21:54.220 And it's sacred. 00:21:54.740 --> 00:21:56.980 It's the word of the Lord of hosts. 00:21:57.480 --> 00:22:01.779 And it represents his heavenly throne come down to earth among his people. 00:22:03.740 --> 00:22:11.180 But then verse 4 also drops in two names that are taking us back in our mind to what we've already heard prophesied. 00:22:11.500 --> 00:22:12.299 Look at verse 4. 00:22:12.859 --> 00:22:17.299 The two sons of Eli hear the two names, Hophni and Phinehas. 00:22:17.299 --> 00:22:22.259 They're listed and associated with the Ark of the Covenant in verse 4. 00:22:23.419 --> 00:22:25.019 So the stage is set. 00:22:28.359 --> 00:22:32.079 God's people, their hearts are prone to wonder. 00:22:32.539 --> 00:22:34.619 And it's really the world that has their hearts. 00:22:34.619 --> 00:22:40.319 They want the Lord to come and stir up the battle and make it be their victory for their own honor. 00:22:42.659 --> 00:22:45.299 But instead, God's reminding them he is on the throne. 00:22:46.079 --> 00:22:48.779 And what was the last word given about Hophni and Phinehas? 00:22:49.239 --> 00:22:50.419 They will be judged. 00:22:51.179 --> 00:22:52.179 God is on his throne. 00:22:52.339 --> 00:22:53.619 He will carry out his judgment. 00:22:53.799 --> 00:22:55.039 He will keep his word. 00:22:56.819 --> 00:22:58.959 You see how God is truly holy. 00:22:59.459 --> 00:23:01.279 There is no God holy like our God. 00:23:01.279 --> 00:23:06.019 There is none besides him, nor is there any rock like our God. 00:23:07.180 --> 00:23:15.720 But it's to these very unrepentant manipulators who proudly think they can twist God's arm to protect their own honor. 00:23:16.220 --> 00:23:22.079 It's to these people that God is coming to reveal his holiness because he is a gracious God. 00:23:23.960 --> 00:23:26.299 Well, that's to whom he reveals his glory. 00:23:26.379 --> 00:23:27.460 But how does he do it? 00:23:28.460 --> 00:23:29.859 This is just amazing. 00:23:29.859 --> 00:23:32.539 I'm still in awe of how God does this. 00:23:33.839 --> 00:23:35.819 In a completely holy way. 00:23:36.939 --> 00:23:40.519 Unlike how any other man or false gods would do it. 00:23:41.179 --> 00:23:43.379 That's how the Lord reveals his holiness. 00:23:44.039 --> 00:23:45.479 In a completely holy way. 00:23:45.939 --> 00:23:46.719 Look at verse five. 00:23:47.500 --> 00:23:53.240 When the Ark of the Covenant came into the camp, all Israel shouted so loudly that the earth shook. 00:23:54.179 --> 00:23:58.339 The Philistines say in verse eight, who will deliver us from the hand of these mighty gods? 00:23:58.339 --> 00:24:04.439 Remember, these are the gods that destroyed the mighty Egyptian empire that we couldn't even take over. 00:24:05.179 --> 00:24:06.919 And these gods did it for them. 00:24:07.240 --> 00:24:10.899 Now they think it's gods because that's their only concept of God. 00:24:11.159 --> 00:24:13.439 It's a bunch of pagan gods made in their own image. 00:24:13.440 --> 00:24:19.460 So the Philistines are more consistent with their theology. 00:24:19.460 --> 00:24:23.660 And they came up with a man centered, worldly way of winning the battle. 00:24:23.759 --> 00:24:24.519 Look at verse nine. 00:24:25.360 --> 00:24:28.559 Be strong and conduct yourself like men, you Philistines. 00:24:29.160 --> 00:24:31.440 In other words, their gods are really a symbol to them. 00:24:31.900 --> 00:24:36.160 What their true might comes from is being a Philistine and fighting like a man. 00:24:36.160 --> 00:24:37.660 It's a worldly solution. 00:24:39.840 --> 00:24:43.460 He says, if we don't win this battle, we'll become slaves to these Israelites. 00:24:43.720 --> 00:24:46.800 Remember, this is the mighty God who delivered them from the Egyptians. 00:24:46.800 --> 00:24:47.560 We'll be next. 00:24:47.840 --> 00:24:49.660 So let's go out and fight with all we got. 00:24:50.960 --> 00:24:54.320 Now, the big question is, will God deliver them or not? 00:24:55.540 --> 00:24:59.840 Was their manipulation something God would overlook or not? 00:24:59.839 --> 00:25:04.179 Would God keep his word about Hophni and Phinehas or not? 00:25:05.759 --> 00:25:11.459 And the result we read in verse 10 is that the Philistines fought and Israel was defeated. 00:25:12.039 --> 00:25:13.240 The survivors fled. 00:25:14.059 --> 00:25:15.619 It was a very great slaughter. 00:25:16.899 --> 00:25:21.059 30,000 Israelite foot soldiers dead on the ground. 00:25:23.480 --> 00:25:25.740 Remember, Ebenezer means rock of help. 00:25:25.740 --> 00:25:34.140 But in 1 Samuel 4, these proud, sinful people of God, they found no help from God. 00:25:37.759 --> 00:25:44.220 For the few to whom God's word was precious, there was a gracious reminder, even in this massive defeat, 00:25:45.220 --> 00:25:48.319 that Yahweh will be faithful to his word. 00:25:48.319 --> 00:25:53.679 Because we're told that the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, died. 00:25:54.339 --> 00:25:57.659 Just as the man of God prophet had said would happen. 00:25:58.200 --> 00:26:02.579 Just as Samuel, even as a boy, had to stand and preach to Eli. 00:26:03.879 --> 00:26:05.899 Deuteronomy 19, verse 15 says, 00:26:06.039 --> 00:26:10.439 By the mouth of two or three witnesses, every word of the Lord shall be established. 00:26:10.720 --> 00:26:15.899 So what God was doing that day is proving to all of Israel, his word has returned to Israel. 00:26:15.900 --> 00:26:19.540 What God said would happen has happened. 00:26:20.660 --> 00:26:25.080 And God cares more about that, showing his covenant faithfulness and holiness, 00:26:25.980 --> 00:26:28.259 than in sparing his people their honor. 00:26:30.259 --> 00:26:31.820 The prophecy came true. 00:26:33.080 --> 00:26:37.100 Because no one is holy like the Lord, there is none besides him, 00:26:37.600 --> 00:26:40.280 nor is there any rock like our God. 00:26:40.279 --> 00:26:47.279 Well, in 1 Samuel 4, Ebenezer became the hill of greatest loss. 00:26:48.440 --> 00:26:51.899 He became a hill covered in the blood of judgment. 00:26:55.399 --> 00:26:58.639 We read in verse 11 that the ark of God was captured. 00:27:00.319 --> 00:27:04.539 You see, the Lord allowed his name to be shamed. 00:27:04.539 --> 00:27:11.599 The Lord allowed his reputation to suffer this dishonor in the eyes of man. 00:27:13.159 --> 00:27:14.299 Why did he do that? 00:27:15.339 --> 00:27:17.700 With all that the ark of the covenant represents, 00:27:18.119 --> 00:27:21.220 he did it to reveal that he is holy. 00:27:24.220 --> 00:27:26.079 Here's what I see in the rest of this chapter. 00:27:26.079 --> 00:27:28.859 When the Lord reveals his holiness, 00:27:29.460 --> 00:27:34.699 the weight of his glory moves everything to its proper place. 00:27:34.899 --> 00:27:36.599 When the Lord reveals his holiness, 00:27:37.199 --> 00:27:40.579 the weight of his glory moves everything else into its proper place. 00:27:42.199 --> 00:27:43.199 Watch this happen. 00:27:43.279 --> 00:27:46.099 In verse 12, a man from Saul's tribe, Benjamin, 00:27:47.059 --> 00:27:48.699 that's what's coming up next. 00:27:48.700 --> 00:27:55.120 He came running with his clothes torn and dirt on his head. 00:27:56.100 --> 00:27:58.620 He ran about 20 miles all the way to Shiloh. 00:27:59.460 --> 00:28:03.140 In verse 13, Eli was sitting on the seat by the way, watching. 00:28:05.299 --> 00:28:07.299 Even though he's blind, he's eager. 00:28:07.440 --> 00:28:10.640 He's watching, waiting to hear news of this great battle. 00:28:11.120 --> 00:28:14.420 The ark got carried off with his two sons leading the procession. 00:28:15.240 --> 00:28:17.880 The elders of Israel thought this was our big turning point. 00:28:17.880 --> 00:28:20.260 Now we're going to finally see God defeat the Philistines. 00:28:21.020 --> 00:28:23.800 And all the village, all the daughters of Shiloh, 00:28:23.900 --> 00:28:25.780 the daughters of Israel are all waiting around, 00:28:25.880 --> 00:28:27.460 all who didn't go off to war. 00:28:27.980 --> 00:28:29.000 What will the news be? 00:28:30.420 --> 00:28:34.000 But notice this wonderful description in verse 13. 00:28:34.560 --> 00:28:36.740 Why was it that Eli was on the edge of his seat, 00:28:37.000 --> 00:28:37.760 even though he's blind, 00:28:37.840 --> 00:28:40.760 he's trying to look in the direction from where the news will come. 00:28:42.020 --> 00:28:43.120 Verse 13 says, 00:28:43.119 --> 00:28:48.259 It's because Eli's heart trembled for the ark of God. 00:28:50.739 --> 00:28:52.919 Remember, just right before this, 00:28:53.000 --> 00:28:56.099 Eli had made that wonderful profession to Samuel. 00:28:56.239 --> 00:28:56.799 He had said, 00:28:57.500 --> 00:28:58.139 It's Yahweh. 00:28:58.599 --> 00:29:00.359 May he do what seems best to him. 00:29:01.819 --> 00:29:03.059 Well, in verse 13, 00:29:03.059 --> 00:29:06.879 the news arrives from the runner and the whole city cries out. 00:29:08.379 --> 00:29:13.539 Remember how all the soldiers shouted so loudly when the ark arrived at the battle scene. 00:29:14.359 --> 00:29:18.980 And now the news of the ark being captured arrives and they all shout out once again, 00:29:19.119 --> 00:29:21.720 two shouts for two very different reasons. 00:29:23.279 --> 00:29:23.980 In verse 14, 00:29:24.059 --> 00:29:26.279 we're reminded that Eli by this point is blind, 00:29:26.879 --> 00:29:27.980 98 years old, 00:29:27.980 --> 00:29:31.620 and he hears this fourfold bad news. 00:29:31.720 --> 00:29:32.620 It keeps getting worse. 00:29:32.900 --> 00:29:33.440 Number one, 00:29:34.880 --> 00:29:36.960 Israel fled before the Philistines. 00:29:37.380 --> 00:29:38.420 So we didn't win? 00:29:38.579 --> 00:29:41.079 No, we are running to save our lives. 00:29:42.220 --> 00:29:42.759 Number two, 00:29:43.120 --> 00:29:44.779 it was a great slaughter. 00:29:44.900 --> 00:29:45.299 How bad? 00:29:46.079 --> 00:29:47.420 Last one was 4,000. 00:29:47.480 --> 00:29:48.200 Was it any worse? 00:29:48.620 --> 00:29:49.640 30,000. 00:29:50.579 --> 00:29:51.480 Number three, 00:29:52.240 --> 00:29:52.980 your two sons, 00:29:53.079 --> 00:29:54.360 Hophni and Phinehas, 00:29:54.819 --> 00:29:56.339 both died on the same day. 00:29:57.980 --> 00:30:00.860 That wording would have reminded Eli of God's word to him. 00:30:01.120 --> 00:30:03.220 The Lord establishes his word. 00:30:04.460 --> 00:30:04.839 Remember, 00:30:04.980 --> 00:30:07.740 his heart was trembling for the ark of the Lord. 00:30:07.839 --> 00:30:08.420 And we're told, 00:30:09.240 --> 00:30:11.599 the ark of God has been captured. 00:30:13.519 --> 00:30:14.039 Well, 00:30:14.059 --> 00:30:18.839 the whole crowd that stayed back at home shouts and weep. 00:30:19.940 --> 00:30:20.500 And Eli, 00:30:20.620 --> 00:30:21.779 when he heard this news, 00:30:22.620 --> 00:30:25.839 we're told that he fell backward off of his seat. 00:30:25.839 --> 00:30:31.000 He broke his neck and died for the man was old and heavy. 00:30:31.399 --> 00:30:33.919 And he had judged Israel 40 years. 00:30:33.920 --> 00:30:37.039 And then Phinehas, 00:30:37.100 --> 00:30:37.600 his wife, 00:30:37.759 --> 00:30:38.640 who was with child, 00:30:38.759 --> 00:30:44.820 do any moment when she heard the news that the ark of God was captured and that her father-in-law now and her husband, 00:30:45.300 --> 00:30:46.080 they had all died. 00:30:46.500 --> 00:30:50.360 She bowed herself and gave birth for her labor pains came upon her. 00:30:50.460 --> 00:30:51.240 And in verse 20, 00:30:51.940 --> 00:30:53.500 about the time of her death, 00:30:54.240 --> 00:30:56.080 the women who stood by her said, 00:30:56.180 --> 00:30:57.660 do not fear for you have a son. 00:30:57.660 --> 00:30:58.660 But Phinehas, 00:30:58.660 --> 00:30:59.259 Phinehas, 00:30:59.259 --> 00:31:00.900 his wife didn't even answer, 00:31:01.180 --> 00:31:03.900 nor did she regard the son that she just gave birth to. 00:31:04.380 --> 00:31:05.180 She muttered, 00:31:05.500 --> 00:31:05.980 Ichabod. 00:31:08.160 --> 00:31:08.800 Ichabod, 00:31:09.040 --> 00:31:14.080 the glory of God has departed for the ark of God has been captured. 00:31:16.200 --> 00:31:17.660 My richest gain, 00:31:17.720 --> 00:31:18.100 I count, 00:31:18.180 --> 00:31:21.840 but loss and poor contempt on all my pride. 00:31:21.839 --> 00:31:29.339 The holiness of God revealed settles everything into its proper place. 00:31:30.399 --> 00:31:35.000 We only repent when God opens our eyes to see how holy he is. 00:31:37.699 --> 00:31:41.299 She declares the glory of God has departed. 00:31:42.199 --> 00:31:42.679 Ichabod. 00:31:43.759 --> 00:31:46.519 One person pointed out that Phinehas, 00:31:46.599 --> 00:31:51.819 his wife spoke more truth in her death than her husband probably did in his whole life. 00:31:51.839 --> 00:31:52.839 Now, 00:31:55.539 --> 00:31:55.799 Eli, 00:31:56.699 --> 00:32:01.079 while the Bible doesn't give us an answer on the state of his soul, 00:32:01.139 --> 00:32:02.899 and it's not our job to uncover that, 00:32:03.679 --> 00:32:09.459 I think the reason it's left hanging and worded a certain way is for us to ponder deeply. 00:32:10.059 --> 00:32:11.220 What about this priest? 00:32:14.619 --> 00:32:16.639 What goes on Eli's gravestones, 00:32:16.759 --> 00:32:17.299 so to speak? 00:32:17.299 --> 00:32:17.799 Well, 00:32:19.680 --> 00:32:22.879 if we were to get what we deserve on our gravestone, 00:32:22.940 --> 00:32:25.779 it would be very embarrassing and very humbling. 00:32:27.000 --> 00:32:27.919 And without grace, 00:32:28.019 --> 00:32:29.480 if Eli had been left to himself, 00:32:30.299 --> 00:32:31.200 it would have been fair, 00:32:31.700 --> 00:32:33.240 but he could have had this message, 00:32:33.319 --> 00:32:36.399 which probably would have been one of the worst to put on a gravestone. 00:32:36.480 --> 00:32:37.319 In verse 18, 00:32:37.319 --> 00:32:39.980 the man was old and heavy. 00:32:41.359 --> 00:32:42.899 That's what we can say about that one. 00:32:44.019 --> 00:32:45.099 But the Lord is holy. 00:32:46.000 --> 00:32:47.740 There is no God like our God. 00:32:48.759 --> 00:32:51.279 He is a rock like any other. 00:32:51.279 --> 00:32:56.700 And there's a linguistic link here between verse 18 and verse 22. 00:32:57.240 --> 00:32:57.980 Verse 18, 00:32:58.059 --> 00:32:59.379 the man was old and heavy. 00:32:59.960 --> 00:33:00.759 And the word heavy, 00:33:00.940 --> 00:33:04.639 it can also be translated as glory and vice versa. 00:33:05.240 --> 00:33:08.399 That's why the New Testament describes the weight of God's glory. 00:33:09.700 --> 00:33:10.440 In verse 22, 00:33:10.599 --> 00:33:13.220 the glory has departed from Israel. 00:33:13.339 --> 00:33:14.160 It's the heaviness. 00:33:14.899 --> 00:33:17.299 The heavy glory of God is what has departed. 00:33:17.299 --> 00:33:18.220 It's the same word. 00:33:18.220 --> 00:33:20.579 For the ark of God has been captured. 00:33:22.140 --> 00:33:23.220 So here's what, 00:33:23.380 --> 00:33:24.579 as I've pondered that link, 00:33:24.680 --> 00:33:25.240 here's what I've, 00:33:25.380 --> 00:33:26.960 I've come to appreciate. 00:33:27.759 --> 00:33:29.559 Eli's heavy fatness. 00:33:29.680 --> 00:33:34.200 It represented his fat loving indulgent sin of his sons and his household. 00:33:35.019 --> 00:33:36.980 But in God's redeeming irony, 00:33:37.380 --> 00:33:40.539 this point of greatest shame and embarrassment for Eli. 00:33:42.079 --> 00:33:46.100 God has turned around to bring glory to himself. 00:33:46.100 --> 00:33:47.799 Isn't that how God loves to work? 00:33:48.220 --> 00:33:51.200 When we read in the Bible of Peter and Paul, 00:33:51.779 --> 00:33:52.380 you and me, 00:33:53.000 --> 00:33:54.279 it's those very flaws, 00:33:54.420 --> 00:33:56.380 those very ways in which we were most misguided, 00:33:56.500 --> 00:33:57.519 that God turns around. 00:33:58.120 --> 00:34:01.640 And then we tell that as our testimony because it gives glory to God. 00:34:03.519 --> 00:34:07.339 So it's possible because God did not leave Eli to himself. 00:34:07.460 --> 00:34:08.840 And Eli declared it's Yahweh. 00:34:09.380 --> 00:34:11.980 Let Yahweh do what seems best in his eyes. 00:34:11.980 --> 00:34:14.820 That Eli would get a different gravestone, 00:34:14.900 --> 00:34:16.039 which is verse 13. 00:34:16.760 --> 00:34:20.280 And this is the best gravestone I can imagine from this chapter. 00:34:21.280 --> 00:34:22.679 That his heart tremble, 00:34:22.820 --> 00:34:25.420 trembled for the presence of God. 00:34:25.420 --> 00:34:27.840 This is who he was, 00:34:27.920 --> 00:34:29.960 but this is now by God's grace, 00:34:30.019 --> 00:34:34.240 who he is a man whose heart trembled for the presence of God. 00:34:34.579 --> 00:34:35.619 He wanted nothing more. 00:34:36.820 --> 00:34:38.639 When the Lord reveals his holiness, 00:34:38.860 --> 00:34:43.420 the weight of his glory moves everything else into its proper place. 00:34:43.420 --> 00:34:44.420 Well, 00:34:47.380 --> 00:34:49.659 we've looked at this deep, 00:34:49.880 --> 00:34:50.639 heavy, 00:34:51.300 --> 00:34:51.940 weighty chapter, 00:34:52.519 --> 00:34:54.480 but we're not quite done. 00:34:55.800 --> 00:35:00.880 Because the reason we're given this chapter is to point us to God's full arc of redemption. 00:35:01.200 --> 00:35:06.180 We need to next see the wondrous way in which the Lord has revealed his holiness. 00:35:08.119 --> 00:35:11.099 Eli's heart trembled for the arc of God. 00:35:11.099 --> 00:35:16.900 I wonder what would be some of those memories as Eli sat there waiting to hear the news of the battle, 00:35:17.179 --> 00:35:19.360 the memories of the arc of the covenant. 00:35:19.759 --> 00:35:20.000 Remember, 00:35:20.079 --> 00:35:22.239 he ministered for 40 years as high priest. 00:35:23.960 --> 00:35:27.339 He would have been the one to carry out on behalf of all of God's people, 00:35:27.420 --> 00:35:29.139 the commandment in Exodus 24, 00:35:29.719 --> 00:35:33.480 that once a year on the day of atonement, 00:35:33.639 --> 00:35:34.279 Yom Kippur, 00:35:34.960 --> 00:35:36.880 after reading the law to the people, 00:35:37.259 --> 00:35:41.079 the high priest would be the one to sprinkle the blood of sublimation. 00:35:41.099 --> 00:35:46.900 He would have been the one to do with the blood of the covenant. 00:35:46.900 --> 00:35:50.659 You know the significance of this work, 00:35:50.759 --> 00:35:51.059 don't you? 00:35:52.819 --> 00:35:58.900 The ark is God's guarantee that he will pardon sin by the blood of a perfect substitute, 00:35:58.900 --> 00:36:04.860 a sacrifice in the place of sinners who deserve God's judgment and wrath. 00:36:06.200 --> 00:36:08.880 Hebrews 9.22 says that according to the law, 00:36:09.220 --> 00:36:12.119 things are purified with blood and without the shedding of blood, 00:36:12.340 --> 00:36:15.260 there is no remission of sins. 00:36:15.260 --> 00:36:19.120 And while it would have remained cloudy, 00:36:19.240 --> 00:36:23.180 what is God doing right now in redemptive history to these people of God? 00:36:24.640 --> 00:36:27.840 We can look back on the light of the finished work of Jesus Christ, 00:36:27.920 --> 00:36:29.680 and we can see the glory of the gospel, 00:36:30.060 --> 00:36:32.000 even in God allowing his name, 00:36:32.180 --> 00:36:32.860 his honor, 00:36:32.960 --> 00:36:35.620 his reputation to be dragged down, 00:36:35.619 --> 00:36:38.119 allowing his ark to be captured. 00:36:41.579 --> 00:36:43.759 Eli had preached to his sons, 00:36:43.859 --> 00:36:45.380 you're sinning against the Lord, 00:36:45.880 --> 00:36:48.079 who will intercede for you? 00:36:49.259 --> 00:36:52.480 And God himself became the only mediator, 00:36:52.659 --> 00:36:57.480 the only one who can mediate and intercede between the holy God and sinful men. 00:36:57.480 --> 00:37:01.179 Jesus Christ took on flesh. 00:37:02.139 --> 00:37:05.880 He became the embodiment of the ark of the covenant. 00:37:06.480 --> 00:37:07.559 It was his blood, 00:37:07.639 --> 00:37:08.059 he says, 00:37:08.199 --> 00:37:10.320 that he shed for the new covenant, 00:37:10.679 --> 00:37:11.740 a covenant of grace. 00:37:13.099 --> 00:37:15.860 He's the lamb of God who sits on the throne, 00:37:16.280 --> 00:37:18.880 the mercy seat of King Jesus, 00:37:19.039 --> 00:37:20.099 the lion lamb. 00:37:21.880 --> 00:37:25.740 He sits in throne surrounded by the host of angels armies. 00:37:25.739 --> 00:37:29.239 As they pictured the ark of the covenant, 00:37:29.359 --> 00:37:32.179 we picture Jesus Christ enthroned in heaven. 00:37:33.659 --> 00:37:37.599 And we see the parallels between this passage and the account of Jesus, 00:37:37.859 --> 00:37:42.279 accomplishing this wonderful work to reveal the holiness of God to his people. 00:37:43.099 --> 00:37:43.979 In this passage, 00:37:44.099 --> 00:37:47.159 first the people shout when the ark shows up, 00:37:47.239 --> 00:37:49.859 thinking that they can manipulate God and they're going to win the war. 00:37:50.379 --> 00:37:51.059 Then later, 00:37:51.139 --> 00:37:52.079 when the news comes back, 00:37:52.139 --> 00:37:55.459 the whole city of Shiloh cries out and they shout again. 00:37:55.739 --> 00:37:56.559 And despair. 00:37:58.279 --> 00:38:01.079 We have two shouts in the gospels. 00:38:01.239 --> 00:38:02.859 First in Matthew 21, 00:38:02.979 --> 00:38:03.359 19, 00:38:03.479 --> 00:38:06.299 the multitudes who went before and those who followed, 00:38:06.439 --> 00:38:07.379 they cried out saying, 00:38:07.719 --> 00:38:09.939 Hosanna to the son of David. 00:38:11.819 --> 00:38:15.839 But all of their expectations about how God would save them were wrong. 00:38:15.840 --> 00:38:17.720 In John 18, 00:38:17.720 --> 00:38:20.600 the Lord revealed how holy he is. 00:38:21.240 --> 00:38:23.460 The detachment of troops arrested Jesus. 00:38:24.460 --> 00:38:26.940 Peter wants to take out the sword and Jesus says, 00:38:27.079 --> 00:38:28.920 that's not how I reveal my holiness. 00:38:30.000 --> 00:38:31.500 They bound Jesus. 00:38:32.079 --> 00:38:38.260 They led him away because one man would need to die for all the people. 00:38:38.260 --> 00:38:43.260 And then that same multitude cried out a different shout. 00:38:43.380 --> 00:38:45.140 We read of that in Luke 24, 00:38:45.280 --> 00:38:45.800 13. 00:38:46.800 --> 00:38:48.320 The ones who once said, 00:38:48.820 --> 00:38:50.240 Hosanna to the son of David, 00:38:50.360 --> 00:38:50.500 our, 00:38:50.500 --> 00:38:51.220 our King, 00:38:51.980 --> 00:38:53.660 they now shall crucify him, 00:38:54.340 --> 00:38:55.080 crucify him. 00:38:55.079 --> 00:39:00.239 God allowed his honor to be shamed. 00:39:02.340 --> 00:39:03.699 Why did he do this? 00:39:04.059 --> 00:39:04.559 God, 00:39:04.639 --> 00:39:05.920 the son arrested, 00:39:06.159 --> 00:39:06.659 carried away, 00:39:06.840 --> 00:39:07.519 humiliated, 00:39:08.179 --> 00:39:08.920 spat upon, 00:39:10.159 --> 00:39:14.000 flogged to die a cursed death of a slave. 00:39:15.880 --> 00:39:19.519 It's to reveal the holiness of God to sinners. 00:39:19.519 --> 00:39:25.800 That's what I think we see foreshadowed in this glorious little chapter. 00:39:26.699 --> 00:39:33.119 It's preparing God's people to survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of Glory died. 00:39:34.800 --> 00:39:35.940 In 1 Samuel 4, 00:39:36.139 --> 00:39:38.599 Ebenezer was the hill of greatest loss, 00:39:39.800 --> 00:39:42.059 covered with the blood of judgment. 00:39:44.019 --> 00:39:47.099 Calvary became the hill of greatest loss, 00:39:47.099 --> 00:39:49.940 covered in the blood of judgment, 00:39:50.739 --> 00:39:51.839 the blood of Jesus, 00:39:52.400 --> 00:39:53.860 to cover your sins and mine. 00:39:55.860 --> 00:39:57.339 Ebenezer means rock of help. 00:39:57.539 --> 00:39:58.940 And 1 Samuel 4, 00:39:59.500 --> 00:40:00.779 proud, sinful man felt, 00:40:01.039 --> 00:40:02.480 they found no help from God. 00:40:03.440 --> 00:40:06.079 And so Jesus took the place of those proud, 00:40:06.500 --> 00:40:07.179 sinful men, 00:40:08.099 --> 00:40:08.920 and of you and me. 00:40:10.500 --> 00:40:16.039 He could have had the help of the host of angels from heaven coming down to take him off of the tree, 00:40:16.039 --> 00:40:20.059 but instead he refused the help he could have brought. 00:40:21.500 --> 00:40:30.259 And he did that to redeem a people so that he could become the rock of help for all those who will put their faith in him. 00:40:30.260 --> 00:40:36.500 You see how we're no better than the Philistines or the Israelites. 00:40:37.600 --> 00:40:40.440 But Jesus sought you and me when a stranger, 00:40:41.160 --> 00:40:42.580 wandering from the fold of God, 00:40:43.800 --> 00:40:44.320 and he, 00:40:44.640 --> 00:40:46.040 to rescue me from danger, 00:40:46.240 --> 00:40:48.740 interposed his precious blood. 00:40:50.080 --> 00:40:51.140 So we can sing, 00:40:51.220 --> 00:40:51.940 O to grace, 00:40:52.180 --> 00:40:53.320 how great a debtor, 00:40:53.440 --> 00:40:55.160 daily I'm constrained to be, 00:40:55.159 --> 00:40:56.819 and let thy grace now, 00:40:56.920 --> 00:40:57.599 like a fetter, 00:40:58.059 --> 00:40:59.799 bind my wandering heart to thee. 00:41:01.659 --> 00:41:03.559 The people of Israel cried out, 00:41:03.940 --> 00:41:05.199 the glory of God has departed. 00:41:08.119 --> 00:41:09.619 So there's the irony there, 00:41:09.799 --> 00:41:11.019 in the land God promised, 00:41:11.139 --> 00:41:12.139 the land God gave, 00:41:12.420 --> 00:41:13.539 but if God's not with them, 00:41:13.619 --> 00:41:14.179 who wants it? 00:41:15.259 --> 00:41:17.000 What hope is there without the Lord? 00:41:17.000 --> 00:41:22.440 Jesus Christ secured the kingdom that has no end, 00:41:22.699 --> 00:41:24.139 that will not be shaken, 00:41:24.519 --> 00:41:27.340 and his glory is on full display in heaven right now. 00:41:28.300 --> 00:41:31.480 When you and I take our last breath and our souls leave our bodies, 00:41:31.639 --> 00:41:35.519 we're joined to the host of angel army around the throne, 00:41:35.619 --> 00:41:37.340 the mercy seat with Jesus, 00:41:37.539 --> 00:41:39.800 the lion lamb of the tribe of Judah. 00:41:40.800 --> 00:41:42.820 And he's advancing his kingdom now, 00:41:42.920 --> 00:41:43.320 but it's, 00:41:43.380 --> 00:41:45.039 it's an age of captivity. 00:41:45.039 --> 00:41:46.739 It's the overlap of the ages. 00:41:47.000 --> 00:41:48.119 It's by faith. 00:41:48.760 --> 00:41:49.599 We're humble, 00:41:49.760 --> 00:41:50.139 we're weak, 00:41:50.219 --> 00:41:50.659 we're poor, 00:41:50.920 --> 00:41:51.960 we're needy. 00:41:52.699 --> 00:41:53.639 But one day, 00:41:53.900 --> 00:41:55.139 he will come, 00:41:55.539 --> 00:41:58.199 and his glory will be set on full display. 00:41:59.400 --> 00:42:00.579 No Philistine army, 00:42:01.019 --> 00:42:03.760 no worldly ideas or manipulations 00:42:03.760 --> 00:42:06.199 could even compare to this battle array 00:42:06.199 --> 00:42:07.679 of the kingdom of heaven 00:42:07.679 --> 00:42:08.960 when it comes to earth. 00:42:09.599 --> 00:42:11.219 We get to be part of that. 00:42:11.940 --> 00:42:14.780 And it's a joyful work for Jesus to do this. 00:42:15.519 --> 00:42:15.920 This was, 00:42:16.160 --> 00:42:17.420 this is the same God, 00:42:17.500 --> 00:42:17.760 you know, 00:42:18.500 --> 00:42:21.080 the same God whose name got allowed, 00:42:21.360 --> 00:42:22.840 attached to the ark to be captured 00:42:22.840 --> 00:42:26.440 and drug away as a slave to the Philistines. 00:42:26.519 --> 00:42:27.380 It's the same God. 00:42:28.380 --> 00:42:29.080 It's his joy, 00:42:29.160 --> 00:42:31.800 his delight all along to reveal his holiness. 00:42:33.280 --> 00:42:34.640 That's why Jesus prayed. 00:42:35.260 --> 00:42:36.519 Ralph read it to us this morning. 00:42:36.519 --> 00:42:37.900 John 17, 00:42:38.059 --> 00:42:38.599 24. 00:42:39.480 --> 00:42:40.000 Father, 00:42:40.380 --> 00:42:42.880 I desire that they also whom you gave me 00:42:42.880 --> 00:42:44.000 may be with me 00:42:44.000 --> 00:42:45.559 where I am, 00:42:45.759 --> 00:42:47.860 that they may behold my glory, 00:42:48.199 --> 00:42:49.239 which you have given me. 00:42:49.659 --> 00:42:52.360 For you loved me before the foundation of the world, 00:42:52.360 --> 00:42:54.579 and I have declared your name to them, 00:42:54.880 --> 00:42:56.179 and I will declare it, 00:42:56.460 --> 00:42:59.699 that the love with which you have loved me 00:42:59.699 --> 00:43:00.840 may be in them, 00:43:01.159 --> 00:43:02.860 and I in them. 00:43:02.860 --> 00:43:05.700 That's the work that Jesus is doing. 00:43:05.980 --> 00:43:07.400 He's applying it with power 00:43:07.400 --> 00:43:09.440 by the work of his Holy Spirit. 00:43:11.079 --> 00:43:12.120 So we sing, 00:43:12.240 --> 00:43:13.340 and as we will in a moment, 00:43:13.539 --> 00:43:15.820 here I raise my Ebenezer, 00:43:16.260 --> 00:43:17.180 Jesus Christ, 00:43:17.599 --> 00:43:18.640 my rock of help, 00:43:19.079 --> 00:43:21.160 the holy God who redeemed me. 00:43:21.920 --> 00:43:22.860 Hither by thy help, 00:43:23.019 --> 00:43:23.780 I've come, 00:43:24.220 --> 00:43:26.440 and I hope by thy good pleasure, 00:43:27.120 --> 00:43:28.820 safely to arrive at home. 00:43:29.580 --> 00:43:29.820 Amen? 00:43:30.860 --> 00:43:31.780 Well, let's pray, 00:43:31.900 --> 00:43:33.420 and thank our holy God 00:43:33.420 --> 00:43:34.500 for his wondrous work. 00:43:34.500 --> 00:43:35.500 Amen.