A Samuel Return to the LORD

When the prophet Samuel ("Heard of God") was a boy in Israel, the priesthood under Eli and his sons was idolatrous, and corrupt (1 Sam. 2:12). They had contempt for the holy things of the LORD, and consumed His holy things upon themselves. The result of this behavior caused the people to disrespect the holy things also (v. 17). It was this attitude of disregard for the things of the LORD that caused Israel to bring the ark of the covenant from Shiloh (rest, quiet, tranquility, that which belongs to him) to the place of battle with the prevailing Philistines, hoping the presence of the ark of God would bring them victory (1 Sam. 4:3). The ark is not a talisman to be brought out and used by an idolatrous priesthood. The ark was not significant only because it was a piece of religious furniture. Its importance lies in Whose presence it represents. It is a holy vessel (Lk. 1:35) containing the Word of God  which is living,(Jn. 1:1-3) His covenant and His commands, the manna, the Bread of life come down from heaven (Jn. 6:33), and His spiritual authority of miraculous resurrection power (Aaron's staff that budded). It is a place of the blood covering, and the seat of His mercy. The ark was a type and picture of God's salvation, Jesus.

In this case, the Philistines continued to prevail, and not only took the victory that day, but they also took the ark! It was a shame and horror to have the ark of God fall into the enemy's hands. The corrupt and indifferent priests also died that day. When the news got back, Eli's daughter-in-law gave birth naming her child "Ichabod" saying, "The glory is departed from Israel: for the ark of God is taken."  (1 Sam. 4:21-22).

The glory of God, the ark of God, could not be handled by just anyone. One must be cleansed and set apart, or suffer grievous harm, even death. Also, the ark of His glory could not be kept just anywhere, or mixed with idols. The Philistines discovered this as they placed the ark in their idol's temple, next to the image of their false god. The statue of the false god was destroyed by the presence of the ark, and the people of the Philistine city and the nearby area were destroyed also (1 Sam. 5:1-6). Wherever the Philistines moved the ark, death followed. Finally, they sought to return the ark to Israel on a cart with offerings of gold to appease the anger of the God of Israel, which had come upon them (1 Sam. 6:3).

Even as the ark was returned, the men of the city where it arrived mishandled the ark, and many died (1 Sam. 6:19). Finally, the man Eleazar was sanctified and set apart to keep the ark in Kirjath-jearim. It remained there for twenty years (1 Sam. 7:1-2).

For twenty years, the ark was removed from Shiloh (to be at rest, He whose it is, that which belongs to Him, also a Messianic name). For twenty years, no one was found in Israel who was able to bring the ark back to where it belonged, and all the people lamented (to wail with mourning, to groan, see also Zech. 12:10,12) after the LORD (1 Sam. 7:2).

They lamented because the spiritual condition of the people of God was such that they were no longer separated with the ark, but they were separated from the ark.

The prophet Samuel, told the people that he would show them the way to restoration:

"And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, "If you do return unto the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the LORD, and serve Him only: and He will deliver you out of the hands of the Philistines."   ! Sam. 7:3

The children of Israel obeyed and put away their false gods, and idols. Samuel then instructed them:

"...gather all Israel to Mizpeh, and I will pray for you unto the LORD."   v. 5

Mizpeh means "watchtower", an elevated place or structure used as a look out for enemies. However, this watchtower is also a prophetic place according to its root meaning "to lean forward, to peer into the distance, to await, to observe." At this assigned place, the things Samuel would show them would not only bring them to a path of restoration, but would also have a prophetic significance, which we will see.

"And they gathered together to Mizpeh, 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 children of Israel in Mizpeh."    v. 6

 

The people gathered to that place, drew water and poured it out, fasted, and confessed their sin. Not only was this the way to their restoration, but it is the way to ours also.

מִצְפָּה

The letters that form the Hebrew word "Mizpeh" are shown above. Each letter has a meaning that reflects this path to restoration, not only for Samuel's era, but, prophetically, for the appearing of Messiah, as well. It is an eternal truth. Let us look at the letters:

Mem refers to water and blood. The people drew water, and poured it out at Mizpeh. Jesus is the water and the blood (Jn. 19:34, 1 Jn. 5-6). The second letter of Mizpeh is tsadde. This letter is a righteous desire, a trail, a journey, a hunt. The people journeyed to gather at Mizpeh, because they were seeking and desired righteousness. Jesus tells us to seek Him, and He will be found ((Lk. 11:10). The third letter, peh, refers to an open mouth, speaking, a beginning. The children of Israel  opened their mouths and confessed. The beginning of our path to salvation is with our confession (Rom. 10:9-10, Rom. 14:11, 1 John 1:9). The final letter, he, tells us to behold, watch, see, reveal. Samuel brought them, and prophetically, us, to the watchtower to see the restoration and salvation of God.

At this moment of restoration, the Philistines, again began an attack. Samuel offered a young lamb as a sacrifice that day in Mizpeh also, even as Jesus is our Lamb of sacrifice (Jn. 1:29). The LORD thundered a great thunder, and the Philistines were smitten. All the days of Samuel's life, the Philistines were subdued, and did not come again into Israel (1 Sam. 7:13).

Isn't it time for us also, His Church, to seek that journey of righteousness, and repentance, and bring back the presence of the LORD, and His glory? Haven't we also become "Ichabod", because the glory has departed from us? As Samuel instructed Israel, if we want to return to the LORD with all of our hearts, we must put away from us the idols, and false gods to which we have attached ourselves: the powers, desires, and cares of this world. The holy covenant of God will not share a place with our idols. If we confess our sins, as Israel did at Mizpeh, He will cleanse us of all unrighteousness. We are His royal priesthood, His holy priesthood, and we are to minister before the ark of His glory as such.

We desperately need a Samuel return to the LORD.

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