Faded Reputation

Posted bySon, Father, BrotherPosted inUncategorized

Still stuck in the OT but it’s definitely not a bad thing at all. I want to apologize right now if tonight seems a little scattered or doesn\’t make sense at the end. I am working with a guy that is really pissing my off. He has terrible music on and is snoring at ear plug volume. It’s a bit hard to concentrate and part of me just wants to rant and rave about how much of a dumb-ass this guy is but that wouldn\’t be right. So anyways back to the Old Testament. I have been more of a puddle hopper these last few days. I have been just dipping my feet in each of Judges and Joshua. I went to start reading Ruth and remember some sermons on Ruth and decided that I wasn\’t going to try and tackle that book. I skipped it and moved to 1 Samuel. I realize that there is a lot in this book but something popped out to me that really haven’t hit me like it has hit me now. I feel like in today’s society even the Christians fall in to this category. The perception of God has faded and our perception of his power has left our minds. It has without a doubt faded from our minds, not fast but slowly over time it has diminished little by little over thousands of years.

I was listening to chapter 5 in 1 Samuel, just like over the last couple of days I have been talking about the power of God and how we have no reason to fear and that we should have all the confidence in the world, we don’t. Too many Christians and unbelievers just aren’t as fearful of the power of God. It’s really a twofold process and I will explain in more depth in a few. First let me put the text for which that I am referring to. It is long but I feel as though it needs to be there for understanding the true magnitude of the problem in today’s society. 

1 Samuel 5 –
1 After the Philistines had captured the ark of God, they took it from Ebenezer to Ashdod. 2 Then they carried the ark into Dagon’s temple and set it beside Dagon. 3 When the people of Ashdod rose early the next day, there was Dagon, fallen on his face on the ground before the ark of the LORD! They took Dagon and put him back in his place. 4 But the following morning when they rose, there was Dagon, fallen on his face on the ground before the ark of the LORD! His head and hands had been broken off and were lying on the threshold; only his body remained. 5 That is why to this day neither the priests of Dagon nor any others who enter Dagon’s temple at Ashdod step on the threshold.6 The LORD’s hand was heavy on the people of Ashdod and its vicinity; he brought devastation on them and afflicted them with tumors.[a] 7 When the people of Ashdod saw what was happening, they said, “The ark of the god of Israel must not stay here with us, because his hand is heavy on us and on Dagon our god.” 8 So they called together all the rulers of the Philistines and asked them, “What shall we do with the ark of the god of Israel?”They answered, “Have the ark of the god of Israel moved to Gath.” So they moved the ark of the God of Israel. 9 But after they had moved it, the LORD’s hand was against that city, throwing it into a great panic. He afflicted the people of the city, both young and old, with an outbreak of tumors.[b] 10 So they sent the ark of God to Ekron. As the ark of God was entering Ekron, the people of Ekron cried out, “They have brought the ark of the god of Israel around to us to kill us and our people.” 11 So they called together all the rulers of the Philistines and said, “Send the ark of the god of Israel away; let it go back to its own place, or it[c] will kill us and our people.” For death had filled the city with panic; God’s hand was very heavy on it. 12 Those who did not die were afflicted with tumors, and the outcry of the city went up to heaven.

Okay so basically before this the Israel was defeated and the Ark was stolen from them by the Philistines and it’s just all bad news for them. Everything that could go wrong did. This was one thing that they just weren’t to mess with. One dude lost his head and arms and the other got tumors and devastation. After, they are like get this thing away from me, so they sent it too Ekron, in hopes that this would solve their problem. Now Ekron was no different. As soon as they got the Ark it was the same story. Tumors, affliction and death struck everyone. They said the same thing as Ashdod did and had it sent away. Now the cool part in my mind happens with the Philistines in chapter 6. It had traveled all throughout the Philistines territory for the last 7 months then they said –

2 the Philistines called for the priests and the diviners and said, “What shall we do with the ark of the LORD? Tell us how we should send it back to its place.” 3 They answered, “If you return the ark of the god of Israel, do not send it back to him without a gift; by all means send a guilt offering to him. Then you will be healed, and you will know why his hand has not been lifted from you.” 4 The Philistines asked, “What guilt offering should we send to him?” They replied, “Five gold tumors and five gold rats, according to the number of the Philistine rulers, because the same plague has struck both you and your rulers. 5 Make models of the tumors and of the rats that are destroying the country, and give glory to Israel’s god. Perhaps he will lift his hand from you and your gods and your land. 6 Why do you harden your hearts as the Egyptians and Pharaoh did? When Israel’s god dealt harshly with them, did they not send the Israelites out so they could go on their way?

I may be wrong but where is this in today’s society? Things have stopped getting blamed on God and I think that he is getting pissed. Do you really think that he is up there saying, “oh boy, I hope they don’t blame me for the bad things that are happening, only good thingsJ”. HELL NO! He is a just God, a jealous God, A God filled with wrath because his people are idiots! And I don’t think that it is any different in today’s world. Maybe I am wrong but let’s take for instance that we blame every unexpected “tragedy” on God like they did back then. What would that look like? Every earthquake, tsunami, tornado, flat tired, car break down, murder, heart attack, etc, I am not saying do it just what if? Do you think the realness of God would come back to you, me, and the rest of society? I may be off my rocker but I think he would. What if over that last thousand years that every terrible “tragedy” was God trying to get our attention? Like back then when Dagon’s hands and head fell off. Does he need to do that just to get God’s reputation back?
Okay so now I went off on the world now it’s time for my own kind. What the hell is wrong with us? If we truly believe in God and his power and all of his amazing attributes than why the heck do we not tell people? You don’t have to be able to preach, recite the entire bible or quote a verse. All you need to be able to do is tell your story and what God has done in your life. Boast in his magnificent power. It is incredible how the bible connect. God wants us to blame him. He wants that reputation and it is proven in Gideon’s story. 2 The LORD said to Gideon, “You have too many men. I cannot deliver Midian into their hands, or Israel would boast against me, ‘My own strength has saved me. That’s it right there. God doesn’t want us to take any credit. No just for deliverance but defeat as well. Give him his reputation back and start blaming him.

God help me not to have your word shut up in my bones, but let me tell my story! Let me blame you for everything and give you your rightful place back. Let’s go get your reputation back!

5 thoughts on “Faded Reputation”

  2. all you guys—can't wait til Joel's mid-Summer wedding—sounds like it will be a blast to get to know more brothas in Christ–btw, that Renegade Guide to God book is awwwesome! -E

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  3. Well said brotha! Interesting thoughts—where have you been dudebro!? Hope me having my little one didn't scare you off from calling me or reaching out…no more justification –let's get together soon! luvya -E

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