The focus of chapters 4-7 is on the conflict Israel had with the 'sea people' - the Philistines. The first battle ends in defeat for Israel so they prepare for the next confrontation by bringing along the Ark of the Covenant. Even the pagan Philistines have heard of the God of Israel and His rescue of the nation from Egypt so now the battle becomes a 'battle of the gods'. Israel is defeated and the Philistines cart off the Ark which in effect means they have defeated the God of Israel. However, the record of Scripture reveals that having the Ark in their possession was not an indication that the God of Israel was powerless and defeated.
Also the prophecy concerning the judgment upon Eli the priest and his family will come to pass as his two godless sons are both are killed on the same day, he falls over dead upon hearing the news and his daughter-in-law will die giving birth to his grandson.
Lessons from this study include: 1. The discipline of the Lord is severe. 2. God's view of sin is fixed and settled - He doesn't change - so the seriousness of offense doesn't change. 3. People in sin become insensitive to their sin. 4. Sinning people easily become superstitious. 5. God's Word will always come true. 6. Sin always ends in pain, injury, and death. 7. God, and God alone, reigns supreme. 8. Man cannot fight against God.
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In the fall of 1969, Gil began a full-time teaching ministry as Senior Pastor of Indian Hills Community Church. He also earned his Ph.D. from the California Graduate School of Theology. The focus of Pastor Rugh’s ministry is systematic, verse-by-verse teaching of the Bible. As a...
