Bible
Study: 1 Samuel 4, 1 to 11. And Mark 1,
40 to 45.
Today’s
readings juxtapose two very opposite examples of God’s intervention in human
life. One in which God allowed the enemy to prevail over his children even to
the extent that his very ark was captured and the other in which God showed his
power and might over nature by bringing healing to a leper.
Today’s
readings also present two examples of prayer. One by force and the other by
appealing in humility. I am sure by now you know which is which.
The
Israelite nation was in battle against the Philistines who were obviously
gaining the upper arm. At this point, the Israelite nation had no king like
other nations. God himself was their king. So they considered it a shame that
the Philistines would be defeating the army of God. In one day alone, four
thousand men were slain by the Philistines.
Without
first trying to examine themselves and look inwards as to why God would allow
the Philistines gain ground against them, without even trying to prostrate as a
nation and appeal to God, without any form of begging, they simply ORDERED for
the Ark of God to be brought into battle ground. They commanded God into battle
ground.
“So the
people sent to Shiloh, and brought from there the ark of the covenant of the
LORD of hosts, who is enthroned on the cherubim. The two sons of Eli, Hophni
and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.” 1 Samuel 4, 4.
Mind you, before this time, these two sons of Eli, who were directly
responsible for the care of the ark did not show any respect at all for God.
As we read
in 1 Samuel 2, from verse 12 onwards: “The sons of Eli were scoundrels; they
had no regard for the LORD or for the duties of the priests to the people….This
is what they did at Shiloh to all the Israelites who came there. Before the fat
was burned, the priest's servant would come and say to the one who was
sacrificing, "Give meat for the priest to roast; for he will not accept
boiled meat from you, but only raw." And if the man said to him, "Let
them burn the fat first, and then take whatever you wish," he would say,
"No, you must give it now; if not, I will take it by force." Thus the
sin of the young men was very great in the sight of the LORD; for they treated
the offerings of the LORD with contempt….” In verse 22, we read: “Now Eli was
very old. He heard all that his sons were doing to all Israel, and how they lay
with the women who served at the entrance to the tent of meeting. He said to
them, "Why do you do such things? For I hear of your evil dealings from
all these people…. But they would not listen to the voice of their father…”
It is not
surprising that despite the presence of the Ark in battle, the Israelites saw
the greatest defeat of their lives. As we read in 1 Samuel 4, 10 to 11: “So the
Philistines fought; Israel was defeated, and they fled, everyone to his home.
There was a very great slaughter, for there fell of Israel thirty thousand foot
soldiers. The ark of God was captured; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and
Phinehas, died.”
Prayer is
not a matter of Command! We do not command God into action, we humble ourselves
and beg. Prayer demands a great deal of humility both in terms of physical
prostration and humility of heart; being able to acknowledge one’s emptiness
before God and beg.
Unlike the
Israelites, we see in today’s Gospel passage, a leper who approached Jesus
beseeching him and KNEELING said, “If you will, you can make me clean.” Jesus
himself was touched by his humility. Mind you, Jesus couldn’t be deceived, he
could read people’s hearts so Jesus knew this man was sincerely bringing
himself down. We are told, Jesus was MOVED WITH PITY. He stretched out his hand
and touched him, and said to him, “I will; be clean.” And immediately the
leprosy left him.
It is not
every time we pray that God grants our requests. At times, his own plans for us
may be different. Sometimes, like a Gardener, he prunes us as his flowers to
shape. At times, he disciplines us as the book of Hebrews says: “My child, do
not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, or lose heart when you are
punished by him; for the Lord disciplines those whom he loves, and chastises
every child whom he accepts…God is treating you as children; for what child is
there whom a parent does not discipline?” Hebrews 12, 5 to 7.
Our
primary disposition to God in primary should never be to obtain by force that
which we ask. Our disposition should always be one of deep internal humility.
We approach God as servants with faith and beg as children. We do not go
issuing God commands, shouting at him or warning him as though we have suddenly
become greater than God. At times, I see posters inviting people for crusades or
events involving prayer and the word “FORCE” boldly written. I only begin to
wonder if it God such prayers would be addressed to or fellow human beings.
Even when
you force your own child who is nothing to you to do something, you know you
may not get the results you desire. Imagine what happens when you try to force
God.
Let us
Pray:
Lord
Jesus, teach me that there is something called humility. May I be poor in
spirit and so always approach your throne of Grace in a manner that is pleasing
to you. Amen.
God bless you. Good morning. Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is
well with you.
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