Knowing His Verdict First

Hello People

It's surprise Saturday post, right?

This just goes on to show you that with God, all things are truly possible.

For EVERYTHING you are trusting God to accomplish before the end of this year, it is my prayer for you this season that our Father will come speedily for you in Jesus name, Amen!!!

For some time now, I have been pondering about one of the names of God in Yoruba. The name is Ekun Oko Pharaoh. Do you know the meaning? I guessed as much, you didn't. But have you ever heard that name or wondered what it meant?

Today, I decided to Google it so I understood the meaning. The meaning is The Powerful One who destroys every Pharaoh (stumbling blocks) in our lives. Now that you know, it's also my prayer that the all Powerful One will work in your favour in Jesus name, Amen!!!

Well, let's have Bible Study Saturday. Isn't that cool? The Bible Reading is 1 Samuel 4: 1-11. I will be sharing using the New King James Version. Can we read together please:

Now Israel went out to battle against the Philistines, and encamped beside Ebenezer; and the Philistines encamped in Aphek. Then the Philistines put themselves in battle array against Israel. And when they joined battle, Israel was defeated by the Philistines, who killed about four thousand men of the army in the field. And when the people had come into the camp, the elders of Israel said, “Why has the Lord defeated us today before the Philistines? Let us bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord from Shiloh to us, that when it comes among us it may save us from the hand of our enemies.” So the people sent to Shiloh, that they might bring from there the ark of the covenant of the Lord of hosts, who dwells between the cherubim. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.

And when the ark of the covenant of the Lord came into the camp, all Israel shouted so loudly that the earth shook. Now when the Philistines heard the noise of the shout, they said, “What does the sound of this great shout in the camp of the Hebrews mean?” Then they understood that the ark of the Lord had come into the camp. So the Philistines were afraid, for they said, “God has come into the camp!” And they said, “Woe to us! For such a thing has never happened before. Woe to us! Who will deliver us from the hand of these mighty gods? These are the gods who struck the Egyptians with all the plagues in the wilderness. Be strong and conduct yourselves like men, you Philistines, that you do not become servants of the Hebrews, as they have been to you. Conduct yourselves like men, and fight!”

So the Philistines fought, and Israel was defeated, and every man fled to his tent. There was a very great slaughter, and there fell of Israel thirty thousand foot soldiers. Also the ark of God was captured; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, died.

Can I explain it in simple English now?

Well, I will. 

You see, the children of Israel were quite used to winning battles. I mean, they were children of God, they knew they were precious to Him and seeing that God had promised them possession of the land, they felt very entitled. Imagine after winning a number of battles in the book of Judges, they had set themselves to fight the Philistines and they lost. As in 4,000 men were killed (Verse 2). How was that possible sef?

Their elders then thought of bringing the symbol of God (The Ark of Covenant) into battle. I mean, this would mean winning for them, right? Well, very wrong. Because even with bringing the ark, the shouts of the Israelites and the fears of the Philistines, about 30,000 of the children of Israel died and the sons Eli, the priest too. Even the ones that were alive had to run for their lives.

What representations of God do you really rely on? I mean symbols (mental or physical) and not God Himself. 

How do you think you can force the hand of God in your situation?

The children of God were slaughtered greatly (Verse 10) because although they carried their representation of God to battle, God was not fighting in their favour. To crown it all, the ark was even captured too.

Please, know God for yourself and not representations. Because knowing God will help you to know His stand on every situation and like David, you will always be willing to ask;

 So David inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?” And the Lord said to David, “Go up, for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into your hand.”

2 Samuel 5: 19 (New King James Version)

Have a wonderful weekend people

Loads of hugs and kisses from this loving heart,

Miss Onakz...