Monday, November 22, 2010

Funerals and a Baby


1 Samuel 4

Defiance and Defeat (vv.1-11)
On their first encounter, four thousand Israelites died on the battlefield. The elders gathered and asked why God brought them defeat against the Philistines. At least here, they have the right perspective that it was God who makes things happen. But instead of appeasing Him, as what even pagans would wisely do, they disregarded their own inquiry, never sat down to see the root of the issue, and took the matter in their hands. Let me write this again in our version: something happened really bad, say we failed an important exam or the company went bankrupt or a young family member was rushed to the hospital. We cried to God for answers. We know He’s the One who controls all life’s events. But now our mind has shifted to taking down notes of what to do next, people to approach, where to get the money, and the like. We claim to have prayed, but have we really taken time to wait for His answer? The Israelites thought of a ‘Christian’ idea: bring the sacred ark to war. Because they felt God abandoned them the first time, they now dragged Him to the scenario, as if giving Him a second chance to do His job. Our version? How many times have we asked godly people to pray for our concerns without coming to terms with God ourselves? We put Him in a box and foolishly thought that if we do this, He will do that. Religion without relationship is futile. If only they repented of their sins instead of using the ark as a good luck charm, the lives of thirty thousand foot soldiers could have been spared. But they were too busy and noisy to hear God. Their shouts shook the ground, reached the enemies’ camp, and terrorized the Philistines. But did it stop their enemies from attacking? No. Just like the Israelites, both knew the great God of Jacob who did wonders in Egypt, but neither obeyed Him. We can amaze people with our theological terminologies, or sing His praise at the top of our lungs, but if we had cherished sins in our hearts, the Lord will not listen. “Away with the noise of your songs!” was God’s word in Amos 5:23. So why were the Israelites defeated that day? God’s justice will say, ‘Why not?’.


 Application:
 ‘Things never happen in the same way twice’ were the words of Aslan to Lucy in the Chronicles of Narnia. God is in the business of always making things new. That’s why although we have His word to guide us with the principles, He gives us the liberty to exercise wisdom in its application to life. That’s where we need His daily guidance. He could have asked us to memorize the Scriptures period. But where is character building there? What would be the role of prayer then? It is not enough to know God with our minds. Avalon sang it perfectly, “By heart, by soul, that’s how I want to know You. Keep You as close as breath is to life. Wanna watch Your love unfold. By heart, by soul.” Worship is being awesomized with the wonders of God. It is the life of a watchman - - always on the lookout for God’s movement and knows that nothing is more important than seeing God Himself. But in His grace, He allows us to take a step further. He wouldn’t want us just staring at Him. His delight is for us to walk with Him and experience Him. It is His original story for Eden and His offer for eternity.  But He invites us to start walking now and experience His great faithfulness. It is afresh each morning!


Disgrace and Death   (vv.12-18)
Eli lived ninety eight years and served Israel for four decades, and yet his life ended with a fall, literally and otherwise. The death of his two sons on the same day is the sign that God’s judgment to his family line has began. But what really brought about his death is the mention that the ark of the covenant has been captured. It’s hard enough to be under the punishment of God, what is unbearable is when He finally decides to turn His back from you. When you angered your parents or boss and you’re still within their jurisdiction, at least there’s still hope for reconciliation and restoration, but how can you ask for forgiveness from someone who has already left you? Moses said, “If your presence doesn’t go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?” In His pleasure, He showed His glory to Moses, but now in displeasure, His glory has departed from Israel.

 Application:
Once saved, always saved. Discussing that would take me hours. Let me focus meantime on those who bring great displeasure to God too: those saved but not submissive! They are the ones who receive God’s gift of salvation but are unfaithful to His service and unyielding to the Spirit. When fire tests the quality of their work, it will burn up, although they themselves will escape the flames. Doing God’s work without His presence will never bear fruit. But faith even as small as a mustard seed can move mountains. The eyes of the Lord moves to and fro the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him. He fires up those whose hearts are already burning for Him and rewards the faithful stewards who doubled the gifts entrusted to them (whether given ten, five or two talents). But to the unfruitful fig tree, there was curse, and the foolish servant was left empty handed. For how can we expect God to empower us when we don’t take time for Him to fuel us up? How dare we seek His blessings when we bless Him not? How long will we bear His name but bring Him shame? His love is unconditional, but He is a fair judge.


Delivered in Despair (vv.19-22)
“I will make the ears of everyone who hears of it tingle” were the word of God through Samuel. Thirty four thousand soldiers were killed, the high priest and his sons died, Eli’s daughter in law died in labor and the ark of the covenant was captured. Blow by blow, one bad news after another. I can imagine the terror and thoughts of the land. It’s like how we all felt during the 9-11 attack.
“It’s just a matter of time and the Philistines will kill us all!”
“If Eli’s family was not spared, how can we escape God’s wrath?”
 “Eli’s successor also died. Who will lead us now?”
“Without the ark, will God’s presence still return to us?”
And there’s the baby which seemingly confirms their fears. His dying mother gave him the name Ichabod which means ‘God’s glory has departed from Israel’. I guess he’s the orphan of all orphans. No parents, no (presence of) God. And with the judgment now at the door of their family, he has no good future to look forward to. How unfair to reap the sins of his father! I asked my husband, ‘Was God unfair?’, he answered me, ‘Phinehas was unfair to his son’. God’s covenant with Israel was laid down since Moses’ time. As priests, they were the ones entrusted to teach the Law. They knew better, but decided otherwise. Now a helpless baby will bear the curse of their disobedience, plus two more generations down. Not only did my ears tingle with their story, my heart breaks for these babies :<

 Application:
Why do pregnant women smoke? Why are some fathers drunkards and lazy? Why do some couples resort to separation? Why do families continue to live beyond their means? Should babies suffer from heart complications just days after their birth? Should young boys live in streets and not go to school? Should a teenage girl experience abuse from her stepfather? Should we leave our children with debt instead of inheritance? Our children will suffer for every bad choice we make. It’s so unfair! They deserve a name, a life, a future. God wants to give it to them. But as parents, it will always be through us. I may not be as brutal as my examples above, but if I don’t guard my tongue, my kids will pick up my temper; if I will ignore their every interruption, I’m building a wall to our relationship; if they don’t see me sharing kindness, they too will be selfish and uncaring; and if I will not teach them about God, they will not see Him as important. When we became parents, we don’t live for ourselves anymore. Now we don’t just watch our conducts to protect our names, but our children’s too. Let them be proud not because they have wealthy, or famous, or successful parents. May they be called blessed because we obeyed God and have found favor in Him.  It’s the best legacy we can leave behind.
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

Funerals and a Baby


1 Samuel 4

Defiance and Defeat (vv.1-11)
On their first encounter, four thousand Israelites died on the battlefield. The elders gathered and asked why God brought them defeat against the Philistines. At least here, they have the right perspective that it was God who makes things happen. But instead of appeasing Him, as what even pagans would wisely do, they disregarded their own inquiry, never sat down to see the root of the issue, and took the matter in their hands. Let me write this again in our version: something happened really bad, say we failed an important exam or the company went bankrupt or a young family member was rushed to the hospital. We cried to God for answers. We know He’s the One who controls all life’s events. But now our mind has shifted to taking down notes of what to do next, people to approach, where to get the money, and the like. We claim to have prayed, but have we really taken time to wait for His answer? The Israelites thought of a ‘Christian’ idea: bring the sacred ark to war. Because they felt God abandoned them the first time, they now dragged Him to the scenario, as if giving Him a second chance to do His job. Our version? How many times have we asked godly people to pray for our concerns without coming to terms with God ourselves? We put Him in a box and foolishly thought that if we do this, He will do that. Religion without relationship is futile. If only they repented of their sins instead of using the ark as a good luck charm, the lives of thirty thousand foot soldiers could have been spared. But they were too busy and noisy to hear God. Their shouts shook the ground, reached the enemies’ camp, and terrorized the Philistines. But did it stop their enemies from attacking? No. Just like the Israelites, both knew the great God of Jacob who did wonders in Egypt, but neither obeyed Him. We can amaze people with our theological terminologies, or sing His praise at the top of our lungs, but if we had cherished sins in our hearts, the Lord will not listen. “Away with the noise of your songs!” was God’s word in Amos 5:23. So why were the Israelites defeated that day? God’s justice will say, ‘Why not?’.


 Application:
 ‘Things never happen in the same way twice’ were the words of Aslan to Lucy in the Chronicles of Narnia. God is in the business of always making things new. That’s why although we have His word to guide us with the principles, He gives us the liberty to exercise wisdom in its application to life. That’s where we need His daily guidance. He could have asked us to memorize the Scriptures period. But where is character building there? What would be the role of prayer then? It is not enough to know God with our minds. Avalon sang it perfectly, “By heart, by soul, that’s how I want to know You. Keep You as close as breath is to life. Wanna watch Your love unfold. By heart, by soul.” Worship is being awesomized with the wonders of God. It is the life of a watchman - - always on the lookout for God’s movement and knows that nothing is more important than seeing God Himself. But in His grace, He allows us to take a step further. He wouldn’t want us just staring at Him. His delight is for us to walk with Him and experience Him. It is His original story for Eden and His offer for eternity.  But He invites us to start walking now and experience His great faithfulness. It is afresh each morning!


Disgrace and Death   (vv.12-18)
Eli lived ninety eight years and served Israel for four decades, and yet his life ended with a fall, literally and otherwise. The death of his two sons on the same day is the sign that God’s judgment to his family line has began. But what really brought about his death is the mention that the ark of the covenant has been captured. It’s hard enough to be under the punishment of God, what is unbearable is when He finally decides to turn His back from you. When you angered your parents or boss and you’re still within their jurisdiction, at least there’s still hope for reconciliation and restoration, but how can you ask for forgiveness from someone who has already left you? Moses said, “If your presence doesn’t go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?” In His pleasure, He showed His glory to Moses, but now in displeasure, His glory has departed from Israel.

 Application:
Once saved, always saved. Discussing that would take me hours. Let me focus meantime on those who bring great displeasure to God too: those saved but not submissive! They are the ones who receive God’s gift of salvation but are unfaithful to His service and unyielding to the Spirit. When fire tests the quality of their work, it will burn up, although they themselves will escape the flames. Doing God’s work without His presence will never bear fruit. But faith even as small as a mustard seed can move mountains. The eyes of the Lord moves to and fro the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him. He fires up those whose hearts are already burning for Him and rewards the faithful stewards who doubled the gifts entrusted to them (whether given ten, five or two talents). But to the unfruitful fig tree, there was curse, and the foolish servant was left empty handed. For how can we expect God to empower us when we don’t take time for Him to fuel us up? How dare we seek His blessings when we bless Him not? How long will we bear His name but bring Him shame? His love is unconditional, but He is a fair judge.


Delivered in Despair (vv.19-22)
“I will make the ears of everyone who hears of it tingle” were the word of God through Samuel. Thirty four thousand soldiers were killed, the high priest and his sons died, Eli’s daughter in law died in labor and the ark of the covenant was captured. Blow by blow, one bad news after another. I can imagine the terror and thoughts of the land. It’s like how we all felt during the 9-11 attack.
“It’s just a matter of time and the Philistines will kill us all!”
“If Eli’s family was not spared, how can we escape God’s wrath?”
 “Eli’s successor also died. Who will lead us now?”
“Without the ark, will God’s presence still return to us?”
And there’s the baby which seemingly confirms their fears. His dying mother gave him the name Ichabod which means ‘God’s glory has departed from Israel’. I guess he’s the orphan of all orphans. No parents, no (presence of) God. And with the judgment now at the door of their family, he has no good future to look forward to. How unfair to reap the sins of his father! I asked my husband, ‘Was God unfair?’, he answered me, ‘Phinehas was unfair to his son’. God’s covenant with Israel was laid down since Moses’ time. As priests, they were the ones entrusted to teach the Law. They knew better, but decided otherwise. Now a helpless baby will bear the curse of their disobedience, plus two more generations down. Not only did my ears tingle with their story, my heart breaks for these babies :<

 Application:
Why do pregnant women smoke? Why are some fathers drunkards and lazy? Why do some couples resort to separation? Why do families continue to live beyond their means? Should babies suffer from heart complications just days after their birth? Should young boys live in streets and not go to school? Should a teenage girl experience abuse from her stepfather? Should we leave our children with debt instead of inheritance? Our children will suffer for every bad choice we make. It’s so unfair! They deserve a name, a life, a future. God wants to give it to them. But as parents, it will always be through us. I may not be as brutal as my examples above, but if I don’t guard my tongue, my kids will pick up my temper; if I will ignore their every interruption, I’m building a wall to our relationship; if they don’t see me sharing kindness, they too will be selfish and uncaring; and if I will not teach them about God, they will not see Him as important. When we became parents, we don’t live for ourselves anymore. Now we don’t just watch our conducts to protect our names, but our children’s too. Let them be proud not because they have wealthy, or famous, or successful parents. May they be called blessed because we obeyed God and have found favor in Him.  It’s the best legacy we can leave behind.