Where is the Glory?

The man who brought the news reported, “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.” (1 Samuel 4:17).  Eli fell backwardswhen he heard the ark of covenant had been taken (v.18)

When , Eli's " daughter-in-law, the wife of Phinehas,[ who] was pregnant and near the time of delivery

[w]hen 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. as she was dying 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. She said, “The glory has departed from Israel, for the ark of God has been captured.” (Samuel 4:21-22).

Did you notice the chronology? Israel's defeat is first, then  the high priest, Eli's sons death, and finally, the ark, the symbol of God's favor and protection is taken. When Eli hears this fact, not the fact that his sons were dead, he fells ackwards and breaks hias neck.  Eli fell backwards when he heard the ark of covenant had been taken.

Many  of us start off right, but  like Eli, do not  stay close to God. He allowed the idolatry of protecting his sons's sin to cause him to lose his relationship with God. People let their husbands, wives, jobs, and winning approval of others separate them from God's best. We make idols of others. That is exactly what happened in Eli's household.

Do I care friend that the glory has departed from me, from my family, my church, and nation? Is your heart grieved at all?

God's Glory-Seeker,
MJ

1. .