WORD STUDY – A GOD TO ME
I Samuel 4:3: “And when the people were come into the camp, the elders of Israel said, Wherefore hath the Lord smitten us today before the Philistines? Let us fetch the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of Shiloh unto us, that when it cometh among us, it may save us out of the hand of our enemies.”
I am sure you heard this old story: “As the airliner was about to crash the flight attendant pleaded over the intercom for any clergy on board to do something religious. A Catholic priest said the rosary, a rabbi recited the Shamah and a Charismatic preacher collected an offering.”
Some translations will render I Samuel 4:3 as: “Why has the Lord let the Philistines defeat us.” However, according to Jewish Literature this is rendered not as why God let them be defeated, rather the nation of Israel is asking: “Why did God defeat us?” Israel was shocked that God had let them down. I am a little surprised at this rendering as well for it seems the only sin that is mentioned is with the house of Eli and his corrupt sons running the worship services. Is God punishing the whole nation because of the sins of the religious leadership? Perhaps the next move by Israel will give us a clue as to the heart of the nation which shows they were no better than their leadership.
The elders said: “Let us take the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of Shiloh unto us.” The word for take or fetch is lakach which is taking possession or control of something that is not rightfully yours. They then added the word: elinu which is rendered unto us. Using this form suggest a play on words for our god. In other words they were saying they would seize control of the ark of the covenant to be a god for them. Then they said “that it might save us.” Some translations will say that “he might save us.” Indeed there is no neuter pronoun in Hebrew, but the syntax does suggest that the elders are saying it the ark of the covenant and not He or God will save us.
Think about it. The most sacred object in the land, the object where the very presence of God rested became an idol, a god. They knew enough to know that the ark could only be carried by a priest and they either bribed or forced the sons of Eli to carry the ark into battle. However, they did not know enough to know that it really didn’t matter for apparently the presence of God was not going to manifest itself at this time on the ark. I recently read in in The Midrash that the nation of Israel was to consult the ark. Apparently, they did not need to carry the ark into battle, only consult with God through it as to what to do in battle. In other words, the elders had the right idea, but the wrong approach.
I find in many churches today, well why throw rocks at the church, I will use myself as an example. In my own life when I enter into battle and get defeated and crawl back licking my wounds, I begin to ask: “God, why did you let me down?” Then just like Israel I go and seize the Ark. I start to carry my Bible around, I study it more devotedly, I read prayers by people who have been successful and I try to imitate their prayers making sure I follow the right procedure in my prayers. I start to queue my I Pod up to more religious, worship and spiritual music. I begin praising and worshipping God more because I have heard that brings the power and presence of God. I am then ready to go back into battled. I now have the Ark with me and I am certain that it will save me, yet I end up suffering even a worst defeat.
So what went wrong? I did all the right things. I did everything the preachers told me to do. I prayed prayers like those who had their answers. I followed all the formulas and check lists to get my prayers answered, and nothing. What did I do wrong?
Like Israel, I had the right idea, but the wrong approach. All my Bible study, my prayers, and all the religious things I performed did about as much good to keep the plane from crashing as the prayers and offerings of the clergy on the plane. All my good religious practices were elinu for me, or a god to me. They were used to bribe God but not to consult God.
Sometimes the enemy can use even the most sacred thing in our lives to deflect us away from the heart of God. That little cross we carry in our pocket or around our necks become objects to ward off vampires and evils things rather than a serving as a simple reminder of the one we love. I wear a baseball cap every day, all day long. I am not Jewish so I do not wear a skull cap. However, I do it for a religious purpose yet that baseball cap does nothing to bring God’s presence, favor or answer to prayer. It does, however, constantly remind me that I am always in the presence of God and whatever I do I do as unto God. So you have your own Ark of the Covenant that you carry with you it battle thinking that having it in you possession is somehow going to win you favor with God? Better you equip yourself with the full armor of God.
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