Departed Glory

“So the Philistines fought, and Israel was defeated, and they fled, every man to his home. And there was a very great slaughter, for thirty thousand foot soldiers of Israel fell. ¹¹ And the ark of God was captured, and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, died.” 1 Samuel 4:10-11 (ESV)

Israel experienced a devastating blow as they were defeated in battle. When Eli heard about the ark of God being captured and his two sons being killed in war, he fell over backward from his seat by the side of the gate and died. Eli served as judge of Israel for forty years. The daughter-in-law of Eli and the wife of Phinehas gave birth to a son and then died.

• “And she named the child Ichabod, saying, ‘The glory has departed from Israel!’ because the ark of God had been captured and because of her father-in-law and her husband. ²² And she said, ‘The glory has departed from Israel, for the ark of God has been captured.'” 1 Samuel 4:21-22 (ESV)

The ark of God represented God’s abiding Presence among the people of Israel. His favor rested upon them until they turned from Him in rebellion. God removed His glory from Israel.

When you became a follower of Jesus Christ, you became the walking tabernacle of God’s Presence. Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. God’s glory is revealed in your life through salvation and through your life as you continue the ministry of Jesus on the earth. Other people get a glimpse of God’s glory as they examine your life fully yielded to the Lordship of Christ.

Is there anything in your life that inhibits the glory of God being revealed through your life? Live a life that brings honor to God and that benefits others.

Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 99:  1 Samuel 4-8 )

Pursuing God,

Stephen Trammell
Executive Pastor
Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell