1 Samuel 4-6 - Outline

[Jim Watt]

“*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE” MINISTRIES*

*Jim & Marie Watt*

*Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com*

*Web: www.2rbetter.org*

September 23, 2012


 *MAY 23 - 1 SAMUEL 4-6 - THE ARK: SYMBOL OF GOD’S PRESENCE*


 *1. 4:5 (4:1-6) THE ARK: BROUGHT INTO BATTLE. “As soon as the ark of the
covenant of the LORD came into the camp, all Israel gave a mighty shout, so
that the earth resounded” (ESV). *This was a shout of *presumption*, not of
faith. Shout louder here; argument weak: this note was found in the margin
of a preacher’s sermon! But *faith*, not noise, is the keynote of Your
Kingdom, Father! *Hallowed be your :name!*


 *2. 4:7 (4:7-11) THE ARK: TAKEN IN BATTLE. “The Philistines were afraid,
for they said, ‘A god has come into the camp.’ And they said, ‘Woe to us!
For nothing like this has happened before.’” *The symbol of Your presence
Father, is Your Ark: but it is *not* to be presumed upon. Sin in Israel
permitted victory for the Philistines, *in spite of the Ark*! *Your
:kingdom come!*


 *3. 4:22 (4:12-22) THE ARK: RESULT WHEN ITS TAKING REPORTED. And she said,
“The glory has departed from Israel, for the ark of God has been captured.”
*The symbol of Glory has now been substituted for *actual* Glory for
Israel. Don’t we do the same thing? O Father, keep us close to You, our *true
reality*! *Your :will be done, As in heaven, so on earth.*


 *4. 5:4 (5:1-12) THE ARK: JUDGMENT ON DAGON AND PHILISTINES. “But when
they rose early on the next morning, behold, Dagon had fallen face downward
on the ground before the ark of the LORD, and the head of Dagon and both
his hands were lying cut off on the threshold. Only the trunk of Dagon was
left to him.” *Though Your Ark meant not actual Glory for Israel at this
time, yet it *did* mean Judgment for the Philistines! O forgive us Father,
that we sell You short in so many of our perceptions and traditions! *Our
:daily :bread Give us this day.*


 *5. 6:3 (6:1-9) THE ARK: PHILISTINE PROPOSAL. They said, “If you send away
the ark of the God of Israel, do not send it empty, but by all means return
him a guilt offering. Then you will be healed, and it will be known to you
why his hand does not turn away from you.” *The Philistines were hopeful
that the Ark was not the cause of Your Judgment, Father. But they set us a
test that would settle the question. We would give You the benefit of the
doubt! *And forgive us our :debts, As we also have forgiven our :debtors!*


 *6. 6:12 (6:10-18) THE ARK: ITS MIRACULOUS RETURN! “And the cows went
straight in the direction of Beth-shemesh along one highway, lowing as they
went. They turned neither to the right nor to the left, and the lords of
the Philistines went after them as far as the border of Beth-shemesh.” *This
is absolutely contrary to nature; therefore *You* must have orchestrated
it, Father! Yes, You delivered Israel from the 5 lords of the Philistines
in a most embarrassing way. *And bring us not into temptation.*


 *7. 6:19 (6:19-21) THE ARK: JUDGMENT ON ISRAEL THROUGH CARELESSNESS. “And
he struck some of the men of Beth-shemesh, because they looked upon the ark
of the LORD. He struck 70 men of them, and the people mourned because the
LORD had struck the people with a great blow.” *Presumptuous sin again on
the part of Israel! Father, teach us that You are a *holy* God, and that *Your
fear* and *respect* must be in us! *But deliver us from the evil one!*


 *NOTE**: 5:9 (5:1-12) THE ARK: ITS JUDGMENT ON THE PHILISTINES. **“But
after they had brought it around, the hand of the LORD was against the
city, causing a very great panic, and he afflicted the men of the city,
both young and old, so that tumors broke out on them.” *Your Judgments
Father, are fearful and concrete indeed!


 It is so important for all of us to realize that “religion” does
*not*give us an “in” with God!


 In the lesson above, Israel under the two corrupt priests, sons of the
High Priest - with Israel as a nation - had no right to believe that “the
Ark of God” brought into battle would save them. Eli sensed this, and was
in fear for its safety.


 Then later in the history of Israel, this nation believed that because
they had “the Temple of the LORD” - that their holy City of Jerusalem and
their land would be safe from the enemy, in spite of their ungodly lives.


 The prophecies of Hosea and Amos especially make this truth and principle
clear. *“But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an
ever-flowing stream” Amos 5:24 (5:18-24). **This* is the clarion call of
the Spirit not only for Israel and Judah, but for *all* who claim God. If
their lives do not correspond with God’s clear message of *justice* and *
righteousness* in our lives - then all our religion and traditions will
avail *nothing*!


 Israel is a type and shadow for “The One New Man” - the Church composed of
both Jew and Gentile. What applied to them in the natural, *now* applies to
us in the Spirit. When we as a self-proclaiming people of God fall short of
*His* standards for us - then it is a time for prayer, repentance,
confession of sin, *turning* from our wicked ways, and holding out for a
true heaven-sent revival and Visitation from God. *“If my people, who are
called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn
from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their
sin and heal their land” 2 Chronicles 7:14 (7:11-19).*


 True *revivalists* are true prophets - who proclaim such truths, and bring
enlightenment and correction to false views of mere religionists! Charles
G. Finney, Jonathan Goforth and J. Edwin Orr were such men!


 Spirit-anointed preaching - voices lifted up like a trumpet - boldness and
fearlessness before men - *these* are the marks of God’s true heralds of
truth. How America and the world needs to hear such preaching today!


 *Our Psalm for the day: 143:8-9 MY SOUL THIRSTS FOR YOU. “Let me hear in
the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the
way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. 9 Deliver me from my
enemies, O LORD! I have fled to you for refuge! *Protection from both
*self*and his enemies:
*this* was the prayer of David! And *You* are our double protection,
Father! *Hallowed be Your :name!*



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