Pray For the Peace of Jerusalem(8/6/17)[Prayer]

The Holy Scriptures | 8/6/17 | left that other site

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Pray For the Peace of Jerusalem

The Ark of the Covenant, The Tabernacle, and The Temple

1 Samuel 4

4 And Samuel’s word came to all Israel.

The Philistines Capture the Ark

Now the Israelites went out to fight against the Philistines. The Israelites camped at Ebenezer, and the Philistines at Aphek. 2 The Philistines deployed their forces to meet Israel, and as the battle spread, Israel was defeated by the Philistines, who killed about four thousand of them on the battlefield. 3 When the soldiers returned to camp, the elders of Israel asked, “Why did the Lord bring defeat on us today before the Philistines? Let us bring the ark of the Lord’s covenant from Shiloh, so that he may go with us and save us from the hand of our enemies.”

4 So the people sent men to Shiloh, and they brought back the ark of the covenant of the Lord Almighty, who is enthroned between the cherubim. And Eli’s two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.

5 When the ark of the Lord’s covenant came into the camp, all Israel raised such a great shout that the ground shook. 6 Hearing the uproar, the Philistines asked, “What’s all this shouting in the Hebrew camp?”

When they learned that the ark of the Lord had come into the camp, 7 the Philistines were afraid. “A god has[a] come into the camp,” they said. “Oh no! Nothing like this has happened before. 8 We’re doomed! Who will deliver us from the hand of these mighty gods? They are the gods who struck the Egyptians with all kinds of plagues in the wilderness. 9 Be strong, Philistines! Be men, or you will be subject to the Hebrews, as they have been to you. Be men, and fight!”

10 So the Philistines fought, and the Israelites were defeated and every man fled to his tent. The slaughter was very great; Israel lost thirty thousand foot soldiers. 11 The ark of God was captured, and Eli’s two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, died.

Death of Eli

12 That same day a Benjamite ran from the battle line and went to Shiloh with his clothes torn and dust on his head. 13 When he arrived, there was Eli sitting on his chair by the side of the road, watching, because his heart feared for the ark of God. When the man entered the town and told what had happened, the whole town sent up a cry.

14 Eli heard the outcry and asked, “What is the meaning of this uproar?”

The man hurried over to Eli, 15 who was ninety-eight years old and whose eyes had failed so that he could not see. 16 He told Eli, “I have just come from the battle line; I fled from it this very day.”

Eli asked, “What happened, my son?”

17 The man who brought the news replied, “Israel fled before the Philistines, and the army has suffered heavy losses. Also your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God has been captured.”

18 When he mentioned the ark of God, Eli fell backward off his chair by the side of the gate. His neck was broken and he died, for he was an old man, and he was heavy. He had led[b] Israel forty years.

19 His daughter-in-law, the wife of Phinehas, was pregnant and near the time of delivery. When she heard the news that the ark of God had been captured and that her father-in-law and her husband were dead, she went into labor and gave birth, but was overcome by her labor pains. 20 As she was dying, the women attending her said, “Don’t despair; you have given birth to a son.” But she did not respond or pay any attention.

21 She named the boy Ichabod,[c] saying, “The Glory has departed from Israel”—because of the capture of the ark of God and the deaths of her father-in-law and her husband. 22 She said, “The Glory has departed from Israel, for the ark of God has been captured.”

Footnotes:

1. 1 Samuel 4:7 Or “Gods have (see Septuagint)
2. 1 Samuel 4:18 Traditionally judged
3. 1 Samuel 4:21 Ichabod means no glory.

New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Pray For the Peace of Jerusalem

Oh LORD, Our God,
How Excellent is Your Name over All The Earth!
For You Alone Are Worthy;
You Alone Are LORD;
You Alone Are The King of the Universe!
Ancient of Days;
You Are The One True God of Abraham,
and We Praise and Worship You with Our Whole Heart,
Soul, Mind, and Spirit!

We Pray For the Leaders of Our Own Beloved USA
May They Receive Wisdom from You
to do the Right Thing.

We Pray For The Swift and Sure Coming of Messiah,
Blessed Be He,
To Establish His Kingdom,
and Make All Things Right.

Blessings To All Who Visit This Garden of Prayer.



Hallelujah and Amen

ML/LTOS

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Pray For the Peace of Jerusalem

This sad Chapter shows us a number of pitfalls to avoid, and draws the line between Faith and Folklore. While we treasure our Culture, Social Rituals, and National Ethos, we are never to put them ahead of Faith in the One True God. Here are some things to consider:

1. Formula is not a substitute for Faith:
"Hey...it worked before, let's do it again!" is a mantra that causes many to stumble. Instead of placing Faith in God and His Sovereignty, people have a tendency to repeat a Formula from a previous experience in order to coerce God into doing a Miracle. The Israelites had great success at Jericho, and the Ark of the Covenant was at the forefront of that Victory, so let's try it again! Today, on August 6th, we remember The Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima. Well, from now on, we can solve EVERY Conflict by dropping two fission bombs on two cities and win! Uh...no. That is not how it works. Israel's heart wasn't right before the LORD, but they thought that the Ark itself was the means to Victory. That is Formula, not Faith.

2. Family is not Faith
Way back in Exodus, as we studied the Ark of the Covenant, The tabernacle, and later, as we will study the Temple, we saw God select a Tribe of Israel to SERVE in the Tabernacle as Priests. The Family descending from Aaron (Moses' older brother) would be in line for the High priest, and other members of the Tribe of Levi would be Priests, Musicians, Bearers, and do all the tasks associated with the Service of the Temple. The Torah has so many pages of details regarding these duties that it is very daunting to read! The Levites did not get a portion of The Promised Land, but God assured them that HE was to be their Portion, and the tithes and offerings would support them and their families. In spite of this tremendous Honor, it becomes apparent from our story that being a Levite, or even a descendant of Aaron was not enough. During the Exodus, God appointed Aaron and the Sons of Levi to be His Priests. Yet, the current holders of this office were abusing it terribly.

Jacob's own prophecy over his children indicated that the Messiah (The Great High Priest) would come from the tribe of Judah.

Little Samuel would end up being a Great Prophet, but wasn't a member of Eli's family either. Sometimes great leaders and anointed prophets come from the most unlikely places, and it is God Who decides, not family ties.

3. Folklore is not Faith.
Across from the Kaballah Center in Boca Raton, FL, is a strange roadside shrine. Four Large Crosses, about five feet high, stand in a half-circle. In the Center, a pole of the same height is surmounted by a Star of David. For years I drove by, seeing the Kaballah Center on one side of the street, and the odd 4 to 1 Cross/Star Assemblage on the other side. What did it mean? Was a Judeo-Christian Group protesting the Kaballah Center? Was the Kaballah Center saying that all faiths were welcome? Was it hostile? Was it friendly? What?

Anyway, I looked it up on the internet and found out. Over 20 Years ago, there was a terrible car accident on that spot that killed five teenagers. Four were Christian, and one was Jewish. The High School Kids independently erected the assemblage to commemorate their friends. The Roadside memorial pre-dated the Kaballah Center by several years and they were not related in any way. Well...they WERE related in one way. Both the Kaballah Center and the Roadside Shrine are sincere examples of Folklore. They are cultural, religious things, reaching to God, and attempting to get His Attention. True Faith is not striving to get God's Attention. Faith is something that takes place in the heart of the individual, allowing God to reach inside. As the Psalmist so beautifully said in Psalm 46:

10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”

Come and Pray For the Peace of Jerusalem, For Our FRiends in Need, For Persecuted Believers, and For Our Beloved Nation.

God Bless America!

Blessings To All Who Visit This Garden of Prayer.



This Symbol Represents Christians in The Middle East, who desperately need our Prayers.

Hallelujah and Amen

ML/LTOS

[etabeta]

Daily prayers always lifted. God bless.

[2sheds]

Such a sad story, yet we learn from it.

[Trump_vs_Evil_Witch]

Great points concerning real faith

[NEWwoman]

Amen, left that other site

Symbols and things, not matter what powerful idea they represent, are not idols.

Joining in prayer for our beloved America.

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Pray For the Peace of Jerusalem

Thank You, Etabeta, For Your Prayers For the Peace of Jerusalem, For Our FRiends in Need, For Persecuted Believers, and For Our Beloved Nation.

God Bless America!

Blessings To All Who Visit This Garden of Prayer.



This Symbol Represents Christians in The Middle East, who desperately need our Prayers.

Hallelujah and Amen

ML/LTOS

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Pray For the Peace of Jerusalem

Thank You, 2sheds, For Your Prayers For the Peace of Jerusalem, For Our FRiends in Need, For Persecuted Believers, and For Our Beloved Nation.

God Bless America!

Blessings To All Who Visit This Garden of Prayer.



This Symbol Represents Christians in The Middle East, who desperately need our Prayers.

Hallelujah and Amen

ML/LTOS

[left that other site]

Pray For the Peace of Jerusalem

Thank You, Trump_vs_Evil_Witch, For Your Prayers, and Words of Affirmation, For the Peace of Jerusalem, For Our FRiends in Need, For Persecuted Believers, and For Our Beloved Nation.

God Bless America!

Blessings To All Who Visit This Garden of Prayer.



This Symbol Represents Christians in The Middle East, who desperately need our Prayers.

Hallelujah and Amen

ML/LTOS

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Pray For the Peace of Jerusalem

1 Samuel 5 by Nicholas Poussin

Thank You, NEWwoman, For Your Prayers For the Peace of Jerusalem, For Our FRiends in Need, For Persecuted Believers, and For Our Beloved Nation.

God Bless America!

Blessings To All Who Visit This Garden of Prayer.



This Symbol Represents Christians in The Middle East, who desperately need our Prayers.

Hallelujah and Amen

ML/LTOS

[SisterK]

Faith is something that takes place in the heart of the individual, allowing God to reach inside

Amen
We have to move out of our own way to give God room to work inside ourselves.

Praise God! Prayers lifted!

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Pray For the Peace of Jerusalem

Thank You, SisterK, For Your Prayers For the Peace of Jerusalem, For Our FRiends in Need, For Persecuted Believers, and For Our Beloved Nation.

God Bless America!

Blessings To All Who Visit This Garden of Prayer.



This Symbol Represents Christians in The Middle East, who desperately need our Prayers.

Hallelujah and Amen

ML/LTOS

[Ezekiel]

Today, on August 6th, we remember The Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima. Well, from now on, we can solve EVERY Conflict by dropping two fission bombs on two cities and win! Uh...no. That is not how it works. Israel's heart wasn't right before the LORD, but they thought that the Ark itself was the means to Victory. That is Formula, not Faith.

They had the wrong formula.

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.

A common number estimate given for the instant death toll at Hiroshima is 80,000, the same as the ratio between the volume of Noah's Ark to the Ark of the Covenant.

Interesting in that they all involve instant death. Adam bombs.

Little Samuel would end up being a Great Prophet, but wasn't a member of Eli's family either. Sometimes great leaders and anointed prophets come from the most unlikely places, and it is God Who decides, not family ties.

The Little Boy [who changed the world] was delivered by the pilot's "mother", Enola Gay. This detail has always been part of retelling of the event, not some obscure data point.

There is a curious story involving her name:

Enola; or, Her fatal mistake is an 1886 book written by Mary Young Ridenbaugh. It is notable for being the inspiration, indirectly, for the naming of the Enola Gay, the B-29 bomber airplane which dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima. Its commanding pilot, Colonel Paul Tibbets, named the aircraft after his mother, Enola Gay Tibbets (1893–1983), who was named after the title character of Ridenbaugh's book.

The book is introduced with the poem:
Oh, fatal day - oh, day of sorrow,
It was no trouble she could borrow;
But in the future she could see
The clouds of infelicity.

It goes on. ('Enola' is 'alone' spelled backwards.)

[Hiskid]

Praying for the spiritual and physical prosperity of Israel.

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I met and chatted with General Paul Tibbets in Miami, shortly before his death.

What an interesting and erudite man he was!

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Pray For the Peace of Jerusalem

Thank You, Ezekiel, For Your Prayers For the Peace of Jerusalem, For Our FRiends in Need, For Persecuted Believers, and For Our Beloved Nation.

God Bless America!

Blessings To All Who Visit This Garden of Prayer.



This Symbol Represents Christians in The Middle East, who desperately need our Prayers.

Hallelujah and Amen

ML/LTOS

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Remember how, several lessons ago, I compared the building of the Tabernacle in the Wilderness to the Manhattan Project? I had no idea that we would be here, at 1 Samuel 5, with the Ark of the Covenant being stolen by the enemy, on August 6th. Kind of reminds me of the panic and horror that America went through when Stalin announced that he now had “The Bomb” and the beginning of the Cold War.

[left that other site]

Pray For the Peace of Jerusalem

Thank You, Hiskid, For Your Prayers For the Peace of Jerusalem, For Our FRiends in Need, For Persecuted Believers, and For Our Beloved Nation.

God Bless America!

Blessings To All Who Visit This Garden of Prayer.



This Symbol Represents Christians in The Middle East, who desperately need our Prayers.

Hallelujah and Amen

ML/LTOS

[Ezekiel]

There certainly was a long time in which Americans lived in fear of Soviet nukes. As if the Ark of the Covenant had fallen into the wrong hands.

The atomic-level knowledge and power is like a mirror reflection of the massive knowledge release that is the subject of much commentary regarding the Messianic Light, the first light of Creation that needed to be pulled back, retracted, stored up for another day.

You had a great point earlier about Little Samuel sleeping next to the Ark, and it was no problem. It’s all about the heart, its innocence.

If a person is innocent, he can stand in the presence of a righteous king and make his case without fear, even if the king thinks he’s guilty. There’s the proof of innocence, as a guilty person couldn’t withstand the scrutiny for very long.

The innocent could keep up easily, because he’s not trying to fake anything.

That’s pretty much what we see in the political realm today. The Establishment is seeing the end of their unjust and evil rule, while little Samuel walks around innocently Tweeting. :)

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Yes! :-)

Now, tomorrow we shall see how the Power of the Ark of the Covenant affects evil people who get too near it.

(((And I am sure SOMEONE will post a gif from Indian Jones!)))