840. 1SA 7:12. EBENEZER

1Sa_7:12. Ebenezer

"Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the Lord helped us."’971Sa_7:12.

The chapter in which the text is found, contains an affecting history of the ark of the Lord. It had been brought from the Philistines by the men of Kirjath-jearim (1Sa_7:1) to the house of Abinadab. It had been there twenty years (1Sa_7:2). The people mourned over it. Samuel called for the humiliation and sanctification of the people (1Sa_7:8). They obeyed, and put away their gods (1Sa_7:4). Then Samuel gathered the people to Mizpeh (1Sa_7:5 and 1Sa_7:6). They were afraid of the Philistines (1Sa_7:7). Samuel directed them to pray (1Sa_7:8). Sacrifice was offered (1Sa_7:9). God was gracious (1Sa_7:9). The artillery of heaven was employed (1Sa_7:10). The Philistines fled; Israel pursued until they came to Bethcar (1Sa_7:11). Then Samuel took the monumental pillar, and inscribed on it Ebenezer’97"The stone of help," &c. Observe from this subject,

I. God’s people have often been in circumstances of conflict and peril.

It has been so from the time of the fall to this hour. We see it in the envy and hate of Cain against Abel. We see it in the spirit of Ishmael towards Isaac. We see it in the history of the Israelites oppressed by the Egyptians; then by the Canaanitish nations. So it has been in reference to the New Testament church. Christ distinctly taught it. "In the world," he said, "ye shall have tribulation." "If the world hated me, it will hate you." Often God’s people are hated and persecuted on account of their religion: often on account of that, but under other feigned causes. Hence Christ was said to be a wine-bibber, and friend of publicans and sinners; also a stirrer up of sedition; also a blasphemer. So the apostles were persecuted as factionists, political agitators, infidels, profaners of temples. So now, persecution is often presented under false colors, and thus all manner of evil is spoken against those who fear God, But in this way the reputation, peace, civil rights, and often the lives of Christ’s disciples, are placed in jeopardy.

Now, observe, neither wisdom, nor piety, nor peaceableness, can always exempt from this kind of peril.

But we notice,

II. In times of peril, help should be sought of the Lord,

Now, so did Samuel pray unto the Lord. And there are four things to be observed and imitated in the course he adopted:

(1.) The reformation by which the prayers were preceded. Prayer, however earnest, must be preceded by a turning from evil, and a putting away of our transgressions. If iniquity is retained, God will not hear; and if sin is cherished, all devotional exercises will be rejected of him. It was thus that God heard the Ninevites. "And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said he would do unto them; and he did it not."’97Jon_3:10. It was thus that God reasoned with Israel of old’97"And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood."’97Isa_1:15. And then God demands the needful reformation’97"Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; learn to do well; seek judgment; relieve the oppressed; judge the fatherless; plead for the widow."’97Isa_1:16, Isa_1:17. Observe, the prayer for help was preceded,

(2.) By the offering of sacrifice. "And Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered it for a burnt-offering wholly unto the Lord; and Samuel cried unto the Lord for Israel; and the Lord heard him."’971Sa_3:9. Now, Christ is our sacrificial offering, by whom we are to come to God with our prayers and supplications. "But Christ being come an high-priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh."’97Heb_9:11-12, Heb_9:13. "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."’97Heb_4:16.

But look,

(3.) At the prayer itself. It was fervent. There was intense feeling, and ardent pleading with God. It was thoroughly earnest, and therefore it is said, "The Lord heard Samuel." In vain we offer mere formal service, or cold lifeless supplication. In peril we must cry unto the Lord, that God may hear and save us, "And Samuel cried unto the Lord for Israel; and the Lord heard him:" Heb_4:9.

And then all this was accompanied,

(4.) By the use of prudent means. They were prepared for the combat, and it is added that, "The men of Israel went out of Mizpeh, and pursued the Philistines, and smote them, until they came unto Bethcar:" Heb_4:11.

Now, in difficulties and troubles, we are not so to rely on God as to neglect means; but in the use of means, and for the rendering of means effectual, we are to call upon the Lord, and to confide in his all-sufficient and gracious aid. But observe,

III. God will hear and deliver his people in time of need.

1. He is pledged to do so.

The sacred Scriptures are full of these precious promises and blessed engagements. The Bible is liberally stored with them. Let us just look at a few. "And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me." "Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name."’97Psa_50:15; Psa_91:5-7, and Psa_91:14. "No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord."’97Isa_54:17. "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way of escape, that ye may be able to bear it."’971Co_10:13.

2. He loves to do so.

God delights in his people; and, therefore, he takes infinite pleasure in delivering them. To this, all the experience of God’s people will bear testimony. "I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from my fears." "As for me, I will call upon God: and the Lord shall save me. Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud; and he shall hear my voice. He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me; for there were many with me." "Ye that love the Lord, hate evil; he preserveth the souls of his saints: he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked."’97Psa_34:4; Psa_55:16-17, Psa_55:18; Psa_97:10.

3. He ever has done so.

God has never forsaken his people in their difficulties and straits, but he has ever been their shield and their help. Abraham found it so; and the mount of trial was the mount of deliverance. So Jacob experienced it during a long life; so Joseph, in the midst of severe adversities and sorrows; so Moses, so Samuel, so David, so Daniel and the three worthies, so all his people, in every age and country; so many of you have oftentimes experienced it.

IV. God’s delivering interpositions should be commemorated.

They should be recognized at the time, and gratefully acknowledged in songs, celebrating our deliverance.

They should be piously recognized. We should devoutly observe God’s hand, and in a humble frame of mind glorify him. Hence, of old, the pious marked God’s favors by days and festivals of holy remembrance. Thus Jacob did at Bethel. How often Israel did this in the desert. So how beautifully it was done in the text. So all nations have agreed to erect their monuments of victory and deliverances’97though these are often done to exalt man. Many of these, too, perpetuate the remembrance only of scenes of blood and misery. But piety gives glory to God’97honors his name, and power, and grace. Hence it was so in the text, in reference to rearing the Stone of Help.

Application

Let the subject have a personal bearing on all.

Will it not apply to your conviction on account of sin, when God brought you to see your peril? To your conversion, when he turned your feet into the way of life? To spiritual deliverances from temptation, in your religious experience? To remarkable interpositions, in your providential course? And should not all these blessed recollections inspire you with a grateful love to God?’97with believing confidence in his holy word? And should these not lead you, in every trial, to devout prayer and entire dependence on his seasonable help?

Both a thanksgiving and devotional spirit, should be promoted by a remembrance of God’s providential and gracious interpositions. How richly "and appropriately this has been expressed by the poet:

"Come, thou fount of every blessing!

Tune my heart to sing thy grace!

Streams of mercy never ceasing,

Call for songs of loudest praise.

Teach me some melodie as sonnet,

Sung by flaming tongues above;

Praise the mount’97O fix me on it,

Mount of God’s unchanging love!

Here I raise my Ebenezer,

Hither by thy help I’m come;

And I hope, by thy good pleasure,

Safely to arrive at home.

Jesus sought me when a stranger,

Wandering from the fold of God;

He, to rescue me from danger,

Interposed his precious blood."

See to it that such shall be the sentiments of your hearts; then will your deliverances and timely help be double blessings; for not only will they be so in themselves, but in their grateful celebration you will enjoy them over again; and often the second experience of them will be the sweetest and the best.

Our greatest mercies, like the hoarded manna in the desert, will become totally perverted; and finally, most loudly condemn us, if they have not been acknowledged in praise, and if they have not led us to cherish a more humble, trusting, and prayerful spirit towards our heavenly Father.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS