Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Ebenezer
(I Samuel 7:12-17)
The familiar hymn Come Thou Fount contains the words, “Here I raise mine Ebenezer; hither by Thy help I come.” Even some seasoned saints raise their eyebrows at these words, dutifully singing them without having a clue what they mean. Well, today’s passage comprises the source of the hymn writer’s inspiration.
Having won a stunning victory over the Philistines, the prophet Samuel erected a stone monument—similar to a war memorial (12). It was intended to be a permanent reminder to Israel that the Lord had helped them. The word Ebenezer literally means “stone of help.” On seeing the monument, the nation was to recall their inability and the Lord’s gracious assistance.
Samuel’s godly influence was, however, far more powerful than his monument. We’re told that “the Lord was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel.” In other words, God blessed a man, not a monument. Too many church folks view fancy buildings as an indication of God’s blessing. In reality, God blesses people, and the monuments are merely byproducts. The focus, then, must never become the physical.
God used Samuel to call His people back into vital relationship with Him. Based on their repentance and Samuel’s ongoing prayers, God granted victory to His people. Ground that had long ago been lost to the Philistines was regained, (14) and the nation entered a period of peace.
Was the blessing due to Samuel’s monument? No! The blessing continued because Samuel remained faithful (15-17). In fact, the aging judge and prophet continued his preaching circuit and faithfully maintained “an altar unto the Lord” (17). God blesses faithful men!
