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THE POWER AND PRESENCE OF GOD

Passages from 1 Samuel, chapters 4 through 7

We all want power in our lives, especially God’s power. As God’s chosen people, the Israelites took the power of God for granted, as evidenced in their handling… or mishandling … of the Ark of the Covenant. Through their sin of presumption and the Philistine’s attempt to control God’s power for their own use, we discover the requirements for God’s power in our lives. Only through the presence of God are we able to apprehend the power of God.

THE ARK OF THE COVENANT

Represented power, even the very power of God.

oIn the Bible, power is always connected to some thing or event. The power would come and never return. Upon the Ark, we see God’s power coming, departing, and returning.

Made of Acacia wood, 4’ x 2.5’ x 2.5’, covered in gold with two Cherubim on its top of solid gold. Top of gold between the cherubim called the Mercy Seat.

Contained Aaron’s rod that budded, a container with manna, and the stone tablets with the Ten Commandments, representing God’s covenant with Israel

The Jews believed God was in the Ark, and later came to believe God was the Ark itself.

ISRAEL PRESUMED THE POWER OF GOD

As His chosen people, Israel took God’s provision of power for granted.

oIllustration of America after 911 attacks

Israel believed their first defeat in battle with the Philistines was by the Lord.

Hophni and Phineas, priests and sons of priest Eli, take the Ark into second battle, but Israel routed by Philistines and Ark captured.

Hophni and Phineas were ungodly, immoral, and corrupt. They die in battle.

Wife of Phineas has a son she names “Ichabod,” meaning “the glory of God has left Israel.”

PHILISTINES CO-OPT THE ARK

They treat the Ark as a trophy and place it in the house of their god, Dagon.

God vs Dagon – God is the only true God

Kabod, the word used as “heavy,” also means “glory” – God sent His judgment on the Philistines, so they sent the Ark back to Israel.

Philistines wanted power of God for their own use – to add to their collection of many gods.

We can never control God!

MOTIVATION FOR COMING TO GOD

We come to God to worship the one and only true God who makes Himself known in Jesus Christ and encompasses all truth.

POWER OF GOD IS A BY-PRODUCT OF HIS PRESENCE

Total Commitment – We must sell out totally to God – Complete surrender

Tear Down Idols – Highest priority must be to God.

Mercy Seat – The Ark shows us how to get right with God. Sacrificial blood sprinkled on the Mercy Seat to cover the Covenant we have broken – the 10 Commandments.

JESUS IS OUR MEDIATOR – JESUS IS OUR MERCY SEAT!

THINK IT OVER

In what areas and ways do people take God for granted or try to control Him for their use?

What are some of your life’s circumstances that tend to lead you to make presumptions or to have expectations about how God should act on your behalf?

Are you willing to take the challenge of James 4:8 and draw near to God? What needs to take place in your life to totally commit to Him? What idols will you need to tear down? When will you spend time this very day before the Mercy Seat, Jesus Christ?

Second Online Dr. Ed Young

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