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God on His Throne: Returning the Ark, Restoring His People (1 Samuel 6-7) - 11/9/25

  • Tabernacle Baptist Church
  • 11 minutes ago
  • 2 min read

Intro

  • Priests are corrupt; Eli’s house is judged (2:12–36; 3:11–14).

  • Israel is defeated; the ark is captured (4:1–11).

  • The ark is taken—but God topples Dagon and strikes Philistia (5:1–12).

  • Yet GOD IS STILL ON HIS THRONE: He returns the ark (holiness), disciplines irreverence (judgment), and calls His people back (renewal) (chs. 6–7).

Holiness – 6:1–12

  • “What shall we do with the ark of the LORD?” God’s heavy hand presses Philistia (6:2–5).

  • Guilt offering = confession of offense and need for reparation (6:3–4).

  • God’s holiness is objective—acknowledged now in repentance or later in judgment (6:5–6).

  • New cart; unyoked cows—a test removing human explanation (6:7–9).

  • The cows go straight to Israel—God needs no help; He directs by providence (6:10–12).

Judgment – 6:13–7:2

  • Joyful reception at Beth-shemesh (6:13–18).

  • Irreverence judged; “Who can stand before the LORD, this holy God?” (6:19–20).

  • Twenty years of lament—sorrow without change (7:1–2).

  • Why judgment? Disobedience; failure to honor God as God (cf. Rom 1:21).

  • We cannot stand; we need the Gospel—a Mediator and atonement.

Renewal – 7:3–17

  • “If you are returning… with all your heart”: remove idols, prepare your heart, serve Him only (7:3–4).

  • Prayer, fasting, confession—lament becomes obedience (7:5–6).

  • Intercession and sacrifice; the LORD thunders and delivers (7:7–11).

  • Ebenezer set: “Till now the LORD has helped us” (7:12).

  • Stability: enemies subdued, towns restored, Samuel’s steady circuit and altar (7:13–17).

The What Now

  1. Revere God’s holiness — Approach His appointed means of grace (Word, prayer, baptism, the Lord’s Table) with awe; never treat the holy as common.

  2. Live Mizpah repentance — Remove every rival, Prepare your heart, Serve Him only.

  3. Walk in obedient faith — Go live for Him this week with concrete steps of holiness, love, and witness… trusting His help . Remember His Grace and Mercy. REMEMBER YOUR EBENEZER

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