Our recent national elections signaled a nation ready for significant change and an overwhelming commitment to rid ourselves of the forces that are negatively affecting us economically, socially and politically. In 1 Samuel 7:3–11, 15–17 a unified Israel recognized the need for change and God’s blessings. Under Samuel’s leadership, they repented and recommitted themselves to God. He restored their relationship with Him and blessed them to defeat their enemies. Let us recommit our lives to God so that He may restore and bless those areas where we are being attacked by the enemy. Amen
So Samuel said to all the Israelites, “If you are returning to the LORD with all your hearts, then rid yourselves of the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths and commit yourselves to the LORD and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.” So the Israelites put away their Baals and Ashtoreths, and served the LORD only.
Then Samuel said, “Assemble all Israel at Mizpah, and I will intercede with the LORD for you.” When they had assembled at Mizpah, they drew water and poured it out before the LORD. On that day they fasted and there they confessed, “We have sinned against the LORD.” Now Samuel was serving as leader of Israel at Mizpah. (1 Samuel 7:3–6)
The prophet Samuel became the leader over all 12 tribes of Israel. He commanded a unified Israel to put away their foreign gods in order to present themselves before the Lord in heartfelt repentance and confession. The people complied with Samuel’s command and assembled in Mizpah as he led them in confessing their sins, fasting and pouring libations out to the Lord. .
When the Philistines heard that Israel had assembled at Mizpah, the rulers of the Philistines came up to attack them. When the Israelites heard of it, they were afraid because of the Philistines. They said to Samuel, “Do not stop crying out to the LORD our God for us, that he may rescue us from the hand of the Philistines.” Then Samuel took a suckling lamb and sacrificed it as a whole burnt offering to the LORD. He cried out to the LORD on Israel’s behalf, and the LORD answered him. (1 Samuel 7:7–9)
The Philistines, having heard that Israel’s tribes were united and had assembled at Mizpah, decided to attack them. The Israelites assembled at Mizpah became fearful when they heard that the Philistines were preparing to attack. Israel cried out to Samuel to continue his intercession with the Lord on their behalf, so that they might be saved from slaughter. Samuel prepared a sacrifice of a small lamb, and offered it as a burnt sacrifice of atonement to the Lord. And the Lord heard his cry and answered him.
While Samuel was sacrificing the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to engage Israel in battle. But that day the LORD thundered with loud thunder against the Philistines and threw them into such a panic that they were routed before the Israelites. The men of Israel rushed out of Mizpah and pursued the Philistines, slaughtering them along the way to a point below Beth Kar. (1 Samuel 7:10–11)
While Samuel was still sacrificing the burnt offering, the Lord threw the approaching Philistines into a panic with loud thunder. Then the men of Israel routed them, pursuing and slaughtering the Philistines from Mizpah all the way to Beth Kar.
Samuel continued as Israel’s leader all the days of his life. From year to year he went on a circuit from Bethel to Gilgal to Mizpah, judging Israel in all those places. But he always went back to Ramah, where his home was, and there he also held court for Israel. And he built an altar there to the LORD. (1 Samuel 7:15-17)
Samuel established himself as Israel’s leader from that time on. He traveled across Israel repeatedly, serving as her judge. And he also held court in his own city of Ramah.
Conclusion
Samuel served a critical role in the life and history of Israel. He served as prophet and judge, and led a unified Israel back into proper relationship with the Lord. He served as an important transition from the time of fragmented leadership by Israel’s tribal judges to the institution of kings which would lead the nation of Israel. Samuel‘s dedication to God led to Israel’s repentance and their restoration of relationship with God. Through him, they recognized that God, not the Ark of the Covenant, was the source of their deliverance from the oppression of their enemies. Israel remained faithful to God during his time as the leader of Israel.
Is there something you need to recommit to God? Is it your life? Your worship? Your leadership of your family? When we draw near to God with a humble and repentant heart, He hears our cry and He acts to restore us into relationship with Him and His blessings.
Blessings, Rev. Glenn
