Returning Back to God
Read 1 Samuel 7:1-17
“Then Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel, saying, “If you return to the Lord with all your heart, remove the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you and direct your hearts to the Lord and serve Him alone; and He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines.”1 Samuel 7:3
Introduction
The preceding chapters highlight the evil actions of the priests of Israel and their manipulative attempt to bring the Ark of the Covenant to the battlefield. This led to swift judgment from God—the Israelites were defeated, and the Ark was captured by the Philistines.
The Philistines placed the Ark in the temple of Dagon as a “displayed trophy,” signifying the supposed defeat of Israel’s God. However, God acted against their false god, Dagon, and afflicted the Philistines with plagues of tumours, demonstrating His sovereignty and power.
key lessons
Those who truly know God’s will not manipulate Him to achieve their desires but instead align themselves with His purposes.
God is not a “trophy” to be displayed or used for human agendas. He is sovereign and acts in His time and way.
The State of the Israelites
Like sheep without a shepherd, the Israelites had strayed far from God. Disillusioned by poor leadership, they turned to other gods, such as Baal and Ashtaroth (v. 4). Their spiritual condition reflected their desperate need for guidance and repentance.
The Need for Spiritual Leadership.
Amid this spiritual chaos, Samuel stood out as a steadfast leader. From a young age, he had walked faithfully with God, gaining credibility as a prophet of the Lord (1 Samuel 3:20).
When Samuel called the Israelites to repentance, they listened. His message inspired action—they removed the Baals and Ashtaroth, fasted, and prayed in genuine repentance (vv. 4–7). This marks the turning point in Israel’s spiritual restoration.
Our Relationship with God.
While worshiping at Mizpah, the Israelites were threatened by the Philistines. In their repentance, there was a noticeable shift in their spiritual posture. Instead of preparing for battle in their own strength, they turned to Samuel and asked him to pray to the Lord on their behalf (v. 8).
This act of surrender and faith brought about God’s intervention. The Lord defeated the Philistines, demonstrating that a heart fully surrendered to Him will see His hand at work in powerful ways.
Reflection
This passage underscores the importance of spiritual leadership in every area of life: in the church, the workplace, schools, and especially within families. Fathers, in particular, are called to step up as spiritual leaders, guiding their families in faith and godliness.
Paul’s charge to Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:12 is a timeless encouragement:
"Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe."
No one is born ready to lead, but leadership begins when we decide to step up and become credible through our actions and character.
Are you living in a way that inspires others to follow Christ?
Are you aligning your life with God’s will instead of trying to manipulate circumstances for your benefit?
Are you surrendering fully to Him in faith, trusting Him to act on your behalf?
Just as Samuel led Israel back to God, we are called to be examples of faith and courage in our spheres of influence. May we rise to this calling, leading others by our speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity.
Step up. Be credible. Trust in God’s sovereignty.
1 Samuel 7:1-17
7 And the men of Kiriath-jearim came and took up the ark of the Lord and brought it to the house of Abinadab on the hill. And they consecrated his son Eleazar to have charge of the ark of the Lord. 2 From the day that the ark was lodged at Kiriath-jearim, a long time passed, some twenty years, and all the house of Israel lamented after the Lord.
3 And Samuel said to all the house of Israel, “If you are returning to the Lord with all your heart, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you and direct your heart to the Lord and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.” 4 So the people of Israel put away the Baals and the Ashtaroth, and they served the Lord only.
5 Then Samuel said, “Gather all Israel at Mizpah, and I will pray to the Lord for you.” 6 So they gathered at Mizpah and drew water and poured it out before the Lord and fasted on that day and said there, “We have sinned against the Lord.” And Samuel judged the people of Israel at Mizpah. 7 Now when the Philistines heard that the people of Israel had gathered at Mizpah, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the people of Israel heard of it, they were afraid of the Philistines. 8 And the people of Israel said to Samuel, “Do not cease to cry out to the Lord our God for us, that he may save us from the hand of the Philistines.” 9 So Samuel took a nursing lamb and offered it as a whole burnt offering to the Lord. And Samuel cried out to the Lordfor Israel, and the Lord answered him. 10 As Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to attack Israel. But the Lord thundered with a mighty sound that day against the Philistines and threw them into confusion, and they were defeated before Israel. 11 And the men of Israel went out from Mizpah and pursued the Philistines and struck them, as far as below Beth-car.
12 Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen[a] and called its name Ebenezer;[b] for he said, “Till now the Lord has helped us.” 13 So the Philistines were subdued and did not again enter the territory of Israel. And the hand of the Lord was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel.14 The cities that the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron to Gath, and Israel delivered their territory from the hand of the Philistines. There was peace also between Israel and the Amorites.
15 Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life. 16 And he went on a circuit year by year to Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah. And he judged Israel in all these places. 17 Then he would return to Ramah, for his home was there, and there also he judged Israel. And he built there an altar to the Lord.
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