Come Follow Me
It was a calm, cool and clear morning. The sun was still hovering near the horizon, it’s yellow ball showing a hint of the heat that would soon envelope the land. There were a few birds in the air, going about their early morning business of finding a meal and paying little attention to what was transpiring on the hills below.
The quietude of nature provided little warning of the tumult to come.
If one was to look down upon the scene from a balloon or plane you would see two hillsides separated by a long narrow valley. To the east lay Eben-ezer and to the west was Aphek.
Aligned on the hillside near Eben-ezer the Israeli army was encamped. The white tents haphazardly lined up. Campfires blazing as the morning meal was prepared. Men slowly crawling out of the tents tugging on their sandals and shirts. On top of the hill near the center of camp was a much larger tent with the flag of the Hebrews displayed alongside the commanders pendent. And towards the rear of the camp the horses were tied up, slowly swinging their tails while contentedly chewing their morning grain.
On the opposing hill stood the Philistine army. Their white tents were lined up tidily in straight lines. Paths clearly laid out allowing for troops to march unimpeded from one end of camp to the other. The command tent also sat atop the hill with its commanders pendent proudly swaying in the slight breeze. Towards the rear of the camp large campfires blazed with cooks busily preparing the morning meal for the troops; a line already starting to form and the men having their platters in hand. On the fringes of the camp one could see the sentries attending to their duty to provide warning if anything unexpected occurred.
About all laid a tense atmosphere of expectation. Men in both camps were a little nervous, quickly jumping to obey orders. As the morning wore on even the horses tails began to twitch nervously. Nerves were stretched taut, men appearing to talk to themselves, mouths moving, but no sound heard.
Suddenly, trumpets blared a call to arms. The birds who had been up to now quietly in search of seed or worm took sudden flight at the noise squawking their displeasure at being interrupted so rudely from their morning meal. Drums began to beat setting the pace as on both hillsides men began lining up below the tents with sword, shield or spear in hand. Busily hovering around the troops were the commanders ensuring the men were properly equipped and aligned.
In due course the trumpets blared again and the opposing armies began to race towards one another swinging their swords and shouting in an attempt to strike fear against the opposing soldiers. The combatants met in the valley with a noise similar to what a Tsunami wave crashing ashore might sound like. The battle waged with first one army gaining ground then the other. The sun slowly clawed its way up to its zenith then wearily started down the other side as if exhausted from watching the puny humans beating each other. Finally, late in the day the trumpets blared once again and the combatants wearily made their way towards their encampments.
As you spied upon the individual troops one could sense who the victors were and who were the losers. The Israeli’s clearly walked with much more of a slump to their shoulders, their shields, spears, and swords dragging along the ground.
Meanwhile, the Philistines had much more of a bounce to their step. Their shoulders were back, their shields held high and their swords proudly sheathed while their spears rested across their shoulders.
With much consternation the Israeli leaders met in the command tent. “Why? Why, did the Lord abandon us?
Surely, we fought against the heathens for the glory of the Lord.
Did he not see us?
Did he not hear us?
Why, did He defeat us?” They asked plaintively.
The leaders pondered the significance of the defeat and the loss of four thousand men. They debated different tactics trying to select the one that would turn defeat into victory. They poured over the maps looking for any hint of terrain that might give them an advantage. They sent their scouts out to see what damage they might have inflicted upon the Philistines.
When all was said and done the leaders came to the conclusion that only one thing would allow them to snatch victory out this most recent and humbling defeat. They needed the Ark of the Covenant. For surely, “with the Ark in the midst of the army no enemy could defeat them! Did not Moses pray “Rise up Lord and let the enemies be scattered” as the Ark was carried before the army? Surely, the Lord would do the same for us now” they exclaimed. All the leaders and elders were in agreement at this decision. So, the commander sent men back to Shiloh to bring the Ark to Eben-ezer.
Once they entered Shiloh, the men searched for Eli, the Head Priest, and explained why they were there and what they needed. Eli did not have the stomach to argue against the assembly of general’s and allowed the Ark to be conveyed back to the battle zone. Eli’s sons, Hophni and Phinehas were detailed to carry the Ark.
Upon the Ark’s arrival in Eben-ezer the entire army turned out and gave a large shout of jubilation. Their joy and exuberance was so loud that the very ground trembled! Surely, this venerable symbol of God’s power will be sufficient to defeat the Philistines they thought. The huzzahs of joy rang throughout the hills and valley.
Across the way, the Philistines became very concerned. Didn’t they just recently whip the Jews? Why are they celebrating? They should be slinking away back to Shiloh, not celebrating! Frowns and worry etched the faces of soldier and general alike.
The Philistines quietly sent their scouts to the Israeli camp to determine exactly what all the shouting and celebrating was about. Soon the scouts returned ashen faced and reported with trembling voices that the Israeli’s had brought the Ark to the battle-field!
Word quickly spread throughout the encampment. The enemy has brought the ark! We are doomed! Who will deliver us from the Hebrew gods? These were the same gods that defeated the Egyptians! Woe is us! No Philistine soldier slept well that night.
In the morning, the Philistine officers circulated amongst the troops encouraging each and every soldier. “Buck up,” they said, “You are the flower of the Philistine army. Your families and friends are proud of you. You have defeated many enemies already and today will be no different!”
Once again the trumpets blared. Once again the drums sounded their inexorable tattoo to battle. Except, on this day, the Israeli’s first sent a delegation to the Philistines prior to meeting for battle. The delegation announced that they had the Ark with them and as in times of old, it will lead their men to battle. They offered the Philistines a chance to surrender before being wiped out by their God.
The Philistine general was not impressed by the effrontery of this declaration. He stated, “we choose to fight for honor and glory. We intend to win this battle.” and sent the delegation back to their leaders.
The general then turned to his troops and said, “Now act like men and fight!”
And led his troops in a charge against the Israelis.
Once again, shouting rang through the valley. Once again the clash of men and metal rang through the hills. Once again the sun rose to its zenith then slowly made its way back down towards the horizon. Eventually, solemnly, the trumpets blared retreat and the armies vacated the field of battle. Left on the floor of the valley were hopes, dreams, and thirty thousand dead Hebrews including Hophni and Phineas. The same sons of Eli who earlier had proudly led the troops by carrying the Ark at the forefront. And the Ark? That symbol of God’s mighty power? It had been captured by the Philistines and taken away.
What happened here in 1 Samuel 4?
The Israeli’s had the enemy sitting at their door. They chose to confront the enemy head on. They went to battle and lost. As they regrouped the Israeli’s asked themselves, “Why did God let us be defeated?” Here were the self-proclaimed followers of God and did they stop to ask God why they were defeated? Nope. They decided to seek the answer to their problem without consulting God. Neither did they consult the Head Priest. Nor, did they consult the prophet Samuel.
They are not alone in their presumption they had the solution to their dilemma. We often do the same. When confronted with a problem we often tackle it head-on. We think we know the answer. We apply the first solution that comes to mind without considering the consequences if we are wrong. We certainly don’t stop what we are doing and ask God his opinion. We don’t want to bother him with such a trifle. Sometimes, we might even carry an ark to the problem. Ark you ask? Yes. How many times have you crossed your fingers that the solution you are using is the correct one for the problem? Or, how many times have you rubbed a rabbit’s foot?
How do we put ourselves in this dilemma?
1. The power of presumption: How many times have you expected God to
save your bacon and instead you come away disappointed? Did you think that God had let you down? That he told you one thing and inexplicably did another? Or, that you waited an interminable time for an answer to prayer and gave up when no answer was apparently forthcoming?
I believe you may find yourself in the same camp as the Israeli generals of old. They thought they knew what the answer was when faced with a horrible defeat. They presumed that God had seen the wisdom of their decision to attack the Philistines and would act according to the desires of the generals. What did it get them? A disastrous defeat and the loss of their prized possession. How easy is it for us to fall in the same trap? Are we so egotistical to think that we know better than God? Are we so confident of our abilities that we act on our own initiative without first seeking God in prayer? For that is what the Israeli’s did in this battle with the Philistines.
2. The falsehood of assumption: When was the last time that you assumed you were doing something right only to have it come crashing down upon your shoulders? What did you do wrong? You had thought everything through. You had investigated all the angles. You were certain of your answer. Yet, you were wrong! Why? Did you also investigate what God might have to say? Did you take your conclusions to God in prayer?
The commanders and elders at Eben-ezer looked at all the angles.
They poured over their maps.
They sent their spies and scouts out to snoop upon the enemy.
They sent men to Shiloh to bring the Ark to the field of battle.
They were so sure of themselves, yet they were ultimately confronted with the wrongness of their conclusions when thirty thousand men died. What did they do wrong? As followers of God they forgot to include God in their decision making. They forgot to pray! It appears they thought their judgement was better than Gods!
Sometimes, your presumption and assumptions can blow up in your face. When I was growing up in California I was a member of a Pathfinder club. When I was 14 we were having a Camporee in the Sierra Nevada mountains. The theme that year was related to Native-American heritage.
The Director of our club thought it would be neat if we had our own vehicle which we could dress up at the Camporee like a Conestoga wagon. We were a small club and consequently not very wealthy. Our Director eventually found a step-van, (similar to the UPS trucks running around today), for about $300. We cleaned it up, painted it forest green and also painted a large Pathfinder emblem on both sides of the van. The one thing we didn’t do, because we didn’t know how, was to check the engine and transmission.
The day came for us to travel to the Camporee. We threw all our gear into the van and in high-spirits all thirteen of us piled in. Chugga-chugga-chugga we went down the road. Chugga-chugga-chugga we got on the freeway. We certainly didn’t break any speed records. And we could follow our progress by the dense cloud of black smoke trailing behind our van!
We finally made it to the mountain road and started up. Chugga . . . chugga . . . chugga our speed slowly dropped.
40 miles per hour
30 miles per hour
20 miles per hour. The line of cars behind us grew steadily. Many were angrily beating on their horns. Finally, a turn-out came up and we pulled over. The vans motor was slowly ticking over and sounded like it had emphysema it was wheezing so badly. After all the vehicles passed us by, our Director put the van in gear and started up the road, or at least he tried. The van barely made any headroom. In fact, several of us kids had to get out and push! Have you ever tried to push a car UP a hill? Imagine several kids from 10 to 14 trying to push a truck up a hill. We finally got the van moving and without breaking a sweat easily caught up with the van, without running mind you, and piled in!
We eventually made it to the Camporee. And fortunately we made it back home. The van? That was its last trip on the road under its own power!
What did we do wrong? We assumed that it would work okay, even though we bought it for only $300. We never had mechanic look at it. We never test drove it with a load of kids. We assumed that a little soap and water and some paint would take care of whatever was wrong. Our assumption backfired on us.
How do we prevent our own arrogance and fight presumption? Christ’s answer to this question is to follow him. It is not an invitation taken lightly. Turn with me to Matthew 10:37
He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.
And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.
This doesn’t mean you are to give up your family. Family is important. What Jesus is saying though, is that nothing is more important than him. He is saying that there may come a time when you will have to choose between him and your family.
Give up your relationship to Mother, Father, Brother or Sister.
Give up your job
Give up your house
Give up your possessions
Maybe, even your life.
When we choose to follow Jesus we are enlisted in His army. Our allegiance is to Him. We take our orders from Him. We do not act without seeking His input in everything we do.
Our spiritual allegiance to Christ may cause conflict with our earthly self. That is why we must always seek the Lord in prayer. That way, we take no action that may cause harm to our spiritual connection with God. Indeed, when we follow Christ we will not be caught making wrong assumptions.
Do you think it too costly to follow God? Consider then, what it will cost you if you don’t.
I doubt there are many here today who can say it has cost them a fortune to follow God. I doubt that any here had to choose between life or death in their decision to follow God. I sincerely hope that we will never be faced with a decision to choose between a loved one and God. But, soon that time may arrive.
Let me ask you something. Why ARE you here today? Is it because you think it is the right thing to do? Or, is it because you think you will get something out of it? Some tangible reward.
Or, is it because you are truly a follower of Christ?
The Philistines fought for their god, Dagon, because he would reward them with wealth and prosperity.
The Canaanites fought for their god, Asherah, because it brought fertility to their farms and families.
What about us? Do we follow God because we expect the reward of eternal life in heaven? Or, because we expect him to make us wealthy and prosperous? Or, do we follow Him because we know He is the one and true God and our Creator. To be a true follower of God we follow Him out of love and not because we expect a reward.
On that battlefield at Eben-ezer long ago, the Israeli commanders forgot to follow God. They presumed they knew what needed to be done. They did not seek counsel from the person they supposedly were following, God. They did not even ask His priest or prophet. They acted on their own initiative and everything went horribly wrong.
When we claim to be followers of God, then that is what we must do. We listen to Him. We seek counsel from Him. We do not twist what He says. Nor, do we accept some things He says and ignore others.
In conclusion let me say this:
It is not a burden to be a follower of God.
It wasn’t a burden for Peter and John
It wasn’t a burden for Paul or Timothy
It wasn’t a burden for Ellen G White
If the enemy confronts you, take refuge in Christ. You are His follower and He is your Shield and Protector.
Psalms 34:8 says:
Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!
Let us place our complete trust in God and follow Him
