This Sunday, we are continuing our series in the book of 1^st Samuel looking at chapter 4 verses 1-11.  In this passage we see God’s discipline, the chastening of the Lord on Israel.  The focus here is taken off of Samuel and put on the nation and the sea peoples – the Philistines.  The lesson here is sin against God will not be tolerated, and that God does punish sin.  Israel goes to war against the Philistines and because of their sin, begins to lose badly (we are not told the specifics of the sin).  Rather than repent and get right with God; Israel attempts to try invoking the Lord by bringing the ark out of Shiloh to the battlefield.  It’s interesting to see that not only does this not work, but we are also shown some lessons as to how we should submit to God’s chastening.  God’s discipline in our lives as believers is spelt out in Hebrews 12:4-11 (which is our scripture reading for this week).  God’s judgment on Israel is because of the sin of Eli’s house, the priesthood, (his sons die in the conflict); and because of the sin of the people, being possibly their lackadaisical approach to God.  What can we learn in how God deals with His people, and the attempt to manipulate Him in the conflict?  More on all this Sunday morning.    

See you Sunday,

Pastor Weaver