A Suckling Lamb
I Samuel 7
3Then Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel, saying, "If you return to the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths from among you, and prepare your hearts for the LORD, and serve Him only; and He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines." 4So the children of Israel put away the Baals and the Ashtoreths, and served the LORD only.
7Now when the Philistines heard that the children of Israel had gathered together at Mizpah [to fast, pray, and confess their sin], the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the children of Israel heard of it, they were afraid of the Philistines.
9And Samuel took a suckling lamb and offered it as a whole burnt offering to the LORD. Then Samuel cried out to the LORD for Israel, and the LORD answered him. 10Now as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel. But the LORD thundered with a loud thunder upon the Philistines that day, and so confused them that they were overcome before Israel.
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In the days of Samuel the prophet, the nation of Israel had fallen into idolatry. Because of their disobedience God’s protection was lifted off and them, and they were faced with a fierce and powerful enemy: the Philistines. Samuel called them to repent and serve God only, so that He would deliver them from the Philistines.
That should’ve worked, right? But the moment they obeyed, the Philistines gathered to attack. So Samuel took things a step further: He offered a suckling (baby) lamb—a perfect sacrifice without blemish, as a whole burnt offering to the Lord. As he was IN THE ACT of offering the lamb, the Philistines closed in, and it seemed like things were worse than ever. But the Lord so confused the Philistines with loud thunder that they were overcome before Israel and did not come into their territory any more. The cities the Philistines had taken were restored to Israel, and there was peace between Israel and another enemy, the Amorites.
So, what does this have to do with us today? If we dip this story in the Holy Spirit, it gives us picture of how the kingdom of God operates in our lives.
Even as Christians, we allow things to creep into our lives that are not pleasing to God. In some cases, they become more important to us than God, and that is when they reach “idol” status. You might think there aren’t any idols in your life, but is there someone or something you spend more time with than God? That you compromise your beliefs for? That you don’t mind “sacrificing” prayer time, Bible study, or church for? When this happens, it opens a door for spiritual attack. I’ve seen it time and time again, even in my own life. The attack can be against a relationship, your health, your finances, your children or someone you care about. It can also be an attack against your character or reputation.
If you are under attack today, how do you stop it? The only answer is first, to repent and remove that idol from your “temple.” Replace the space it occupied with more of the things of God. It’s a tough remedy, but it’s the only way to stop an attack. The alternative is to watch your life spiral out of control.
Second, you have to “offer up” yourself as a living sacrifice--a “suckling lamb,” a “whole burnt offering” to the Lord.” Make a decision today that you will obey Him no matter where He leads you or what He asks you to do.
The moment you do this, it will seem like the enemy is closing in on you. Satan wants you to quit, but THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO GIVE UP. As one Bible teacher put it, “If you are determined to stand forever, it won’t take very long.” If you stand firm in your decision to serve and obey God no matter what happens, He will send confusion on your enemies and miraculously deliver you from their power. Not only will God turn your circumstances around, He will restore ground taken by the enemy and bring peace between you and those who oppose you.
TODAY IS YOUR DAY. Dump the idols, be a “suckling lamb” on the altar, stand firm in your commitment, and watch what God does for you.
Cathleen
3Then Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel, saying, "If you return to the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths from among you, and prepare your hearts for the LORD, and serve Him only; and He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines." 4So the children of Israel put away the Baals and the Ashtoreths, and served the LORD only.
7Now when the Philistines heard that the children of Israel had gathered together at Mizpah [to fast, pray, and confess their sin], the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the children of Israel heard of it, they were afraid of the Philistines.
9And Samuel took a suckling lamb and offered it as a whole burnt offering to the LORD. Then Samuel cried out to the LORD for Israel, and the LORD answered him. 10Now as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel. But the LORD thundered with a loud thunder upon the Philistines that day, and so confused them that they were overcome before Israel.
---------------------------------------------------
In the days of Samuel the prophet, the nation of Israel had fallen into idolatry. Because of their disobedience God’s protection was lifted off and them, and they were faced with a fierce and powerful enemy: the Philistines. Samuel called them to repent and serve God only, so that He would deliver them from the Philistines.
That should’ve worked, right? But the moment they obeyed, the Philistines gathered to attack. So Samuel took things a step further: He offered a suckling (baby) lamb—a perfect sacrifice without blemish, as a whole burnt offering to the Lord. As he was IN THE ACT of offering the lamb, the Philistines closed in, and it seemed like things were worse than ever. But the Lord so confused the Philistines with loud thunder that they were overcome before Israel and did not come into their territory any more. The cities the Philistines had taken were restored to Israel, and there was peace between Israel and another enemy, the Amorites.
So, what does this have to do with us today? If we dip this story in the Holy Spirit, it gives us picture of how the kingdom of God operates in our lives.
Even as Christians, we allow things to creep into our lives that are not pleasing to God. In some cases, they become more important to us than God, and that is when they reach “idol” status. You might think there aren’t any idols in your life, but is there someone or something you spend more time with than God? That you compromise your beliefs for? That you don’t mind “sacrificing” prayer time, Bible study, or church for? When this happens, it opens a door for spiritual attack. I’ve seen it time and time again, even in my own life. The attack can be against a relationship, your health, your finances, your children or someone you care about. It can also be an attack against your character or reputation.
If you are under attack today, how do you stop it? The only answer is first, to repent and remove that idol from your “temple.” Replace the space it occupied with more of the things of God. It’s a tough remedy, but it’s the only way to stop an attack. The alternative is to watch your life spiral out of control.
Second, you have to “offer up” yourself as a living sacrifice--a “suckling lamb,” a “whole burnt offering” to the Lord.” Make a decision today that you will obey Him no matter where He leads you or what He asks you to do.
The moment you do this, it will seem like the enemy is closing in on you. Satan wants you to quit, but THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO GIVE UP. As one Bible teacher put it, “If you are determined to stand forever, it won’t take very long.” If you stand firm in your decision to serve and obey God no matter what happens, He will send confusion on your enemies and miraculously deliver you from their power. Not only will God turn your circumstances around, He will restore ground taken by the enemy and bring peace between you and those who oppose you.
TODAY IS YOUR DAY. Dump the idols, be a “suckling lamb” on the altar, stand firm in your commitment, and watch what God does for you.
Cathleen
posted by BreadBakers at 1:03 PM
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