February 17th, 2014
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

The Helper Surprises

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Opening Prayer

Father, You are the God of ages past, and will be my God until the end of time. I rest in You.

Read 1 Samuel 7:2-17

[2] The ark remained at Kiriath Jearim a long time-twenty years in all. Then all the people of Israel turned back to the LORD. [3] So Samuel said to all the Israelites, “If you are returning to the LORD with all your hearts, then rid yourselves of the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths and commit yourselves to the LORD and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.” [4] So the Israelites put away their Baals and Ashtoreths, and served the LORD only. [5] Then Samuel said, “Assemble all Israel at Mizpah, and I will intercede with the LORD for you.” [6] When they had assembled at Mizpah, they drew water and poured it out before the LORD. On that day they fasted and there they confessed, “We have sinned against the LORD.” Now Samuel was serving as leader of Israel at Mizpah. [7] When the Philistines heard that Israel had assembled at Mizpah, the rulers of the Philistines came up to attack them. When the Israelites heard of it, they were afraid because of the Philistines. [8] They said to Samuel, “Do not stop crying out to the LORD our God for us, that he may rescue us from the hand of the Philistines.” [9] Then Samuel took a suckling lamb and sacrificed it as a whole burnt offering to the LORD. He cried out to the LORD on Israel’s behalf, and the LORD answered him. [10] While Samuel was sacrificing the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to engage Israel in battle. But that day the LORD thundered with loud thunder against the Philistines and threw them into such a panic that they were routed before the Israelites. [11] The men of Israel rushed out of Mizpah and pursued the Philistines, slaughtering them along the way to a point below Beth Kar. [12] Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the LORD has helped us.” [13] So the Philistines were subdued and they stopped invading Israel’s territory. Throughout Samuel’s lifetime, the hand of the LORD was against the Philistines. [14] The towns from Ekron to Gath that the Philistines had captured from Israel were restored to Israel, and Israel delivered the neighboring territory from the hands of the Philistines. And there was peace between Israel and the Amorites. [15] Samuel continued as Israel’s leader all the days of his life. [16] From year to year he went on a circuit from Bethel to Gilgal to Mizpah, judging Israel in all those places. [17] But he always went back to Ramah, where his home was, and there he also held court for Israel. And he built an altar there to the LORD.

Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright &copy 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.&reg Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Meditate

Nothing in all of creation can separate us from God’s love for us in Jesus Christ (Rom. 8:38,39). An amazing promise!

Think Further

Eli’s leadership has ended, the Ark will remain for decades separated from a sanctuary (2 Sam. 6) and the Philistine threat continues. (Shiloh has probably been destroyed; Jer. 7:12-15) Samuel has to grow and have his leadership recognized (3; 3:19-21). More importantly, the people need to abandon their mixed loyalties (Deut. 5:7; 6:13,14; Matt. 6:24). 

The Philistines attack while the people are gathered with Samuel at Mizpah, unprepared for battle. Surprisingly, Samuel continues to pray, offering a sacrifice. The narrative (7-13) has echoes of the previous battle (ch. 4). Ebenezer is mentioned in 4:1, 5:1, and 7:12 and several phrases are repeated, but there is “a yawning contrast…. Under Samuel, they go into battle not with confident shouting but with prayer and reverence–and a decisive victory is the consequence; the thunder of the Lord discomfits the enemy” (M. Garsiel, The First Book of Samuel). Samuel is in the succession of judges/leaders (6,15-17), but unlike them he nowhere leads into battle: he is a prophet, priest and circuit judge. Previously, the people had their plans which they then asked God to bless, but Samuel will not act without first knowing what God wants. God’s answer is dramatic. The stone deserves its name (12).

Soon the narrative will turn to kingship, but first God demonstrates that the most important thing is not political structures or religious objects, but giving him sole allegiance, trusting him alone. His victory may be through other means than our planning and personnel, although these may have a part to play (10b,11). In our society today we need the rebuking reminder that the spiritual leadership given by Samuel in prophetic charge, together with prayer and sacrifices, is more significant than political structures and strong military leadership. We respond to his will, not he to ours.

Apply

Where have you seen God as your helper (12), giving victory beyond your abilities, resources and actions? Use these as your “stone of help” in looking to the future.

Closing prayer

Merciful God, if You had not been with me through the years, I would not have made it through. I face the future, confident in Your sustaining grace and power.

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