1 SAMUEL 4 - THE WORTHLESSNESS OF IDOLS
1 Samuel 4
In Chapter 4 we are given a full picture of the depths to which Israel has fallen. Not because of the tragic events which are about to occur, but because Israel had lost the true focus of what was meant to be the center of their of existence as well as the only true path to hope and peace. It is worth noting that while the Israelites are currently in the land of God’s promise, they find themselves without peace, surrounded by their enemies and without much hope.
And in seeking to find hope and peace, instead of turning to the living God, they are turning to useless idols.
Chapter 4 is a stern warning against turning from the worship of the living God to putting our trust in anything else— all of which are false gods and can become to us a false religion (some sacred, some secular); all which retain the symbols of God, but deny the centrality of the person of God, which is found in Christ Jesus.
1 Samuel 4:1 begins ominously with word’s that display Israel’s misguided view of who is in charge, “And the word of Samuel came to all Israel…”. In verses 5 through 11 we see Israel turn for redemption, not to the living God, but to the ark of the covenant (a relic commissioned by God, but a relic nonetheless). Instead of redemption Israel will find defeat. And then chapter 4 end’s with words that show Israel’s misguided view of where we find the presence of the Lord: “And she said, ‘The glory has departed from Israel, for the ark of God has been captured.’”
As A.W. Tozer explains in his book “The Pursuit of God”, the true tragedy of Adam and Eve’s sin is that God was removed from the throne of man’s heart and replaced with the things that God had created for man’s enjoyment. Or as Paul puts in Romans 1:25 man “worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator.” In all of this we hear Paul’s warning in Colossians 2:8 “See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.”
It is easy for us, like Israel, to find temporary comfort
In a cross pendant, or in being inside a church, or even a Bible; or by saying repetitious static prayers, instead of finding comfort in Him which these other things are meant to point us toward— Jesus Christ, risen and alive, seated on the throne of power. As Peter preached to the Jewish Council in Jerusalem in Acts 4:12, “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Wherever you are today and whatever is going on in your life, know that this is the singular truth that will bring you the hope and peace we all seek.