Skip to main content

Ichabod

Digging deep down into the centuries of Jewish history, you will find the birth of Ichabod.  He was the grandchild of Eli the priest who is more well known for his mentoring of the boy Samuel, who would then become a great judge and prophet for the people of Israel.  But the sons of Eli were worthless fellows and didn't know God or even follow in His ways, although they did perform as priests.  Consequently, the day of reckoning arrived, and both sons, Hophni and Phinehas were killed by the enemy Philistines. The ark of the covenant of God was captured as well, and without it, the very symbol of God Himself, the people were sure to be doomed.  When this news is told to Eli, he falls over backwards and breaks his neck "for he was old and heavy." (I Samuel 4:18)  The tragedy continues for when Phinehas' wife hears the news of her husband's and father-in-law's death, she immediately goes into labor, giving birth to a son.  But instead of maternal joy in bearing a son, on her deathbed, she names her son Ichabod which means,  "the glory has departed from Israel, for the ark of God was taken." (I Samuel 4:22)  Ichabod, literally means "no glory."

These are days of Ichabod.  Glory vanishes in the midst of a society that elevates greed, self glorification, lust and pride. Just by his mere presence,  Ichabod reminded the people of Israel everyday that God's glory is gone.    I am sure that in some way that felt entirely unfair to put such a heavy burden on an infant and young boy, who had nothing to do with the circumstances that surrounded his birth.  Yet, it is what it is, what was done was done. . .

A week after a turbulent election brings us to Ichabod.  I lament the outcome, but greater than my sorrow with the results, lies my lament with Christian religion in America.  I have no respect for those Christian leaders who show up on news stations and try to speak for me.  I am disgusted and aghast how pastors, including mine, fail to speak up and denounce racial slurs, sexist derogatory comments, slanderous and hateful speech of their candidate they sought to put forward.  We are now told, it was all well engineered to get their congregations to "vote for the issues" and ignore the bigoted bull in the china cabinet.   Anything for power and control, even if it meant to vote "by holding their nose."  I cannot logically begin to understand their hypocritical rhetoric, but I understand better why there are more "None's" in the religious polls, after all, who wants to be associated with the Christian religion? 

Yes, I still am angry, it festers under my skin.  As a woman, I am especially so appalled with results. Living by faith in Jesus doesn't mimic religion.  Jesus didn't bring a new religion, He is the only way to life and to be reconciled to the one and only God.  The way of faith is transcendant of whatever governments or rulers you face.  He denounced the Religion Right of his day, the Pharisees and Sadducees for their oppression of the people with their overbearing rules and selfish ways.  Faith is not religion, faith doesn't need your vote, it doesn't need to manipulate others for its way; faith requires humility and servitude, sacrifice in putting others before yourself, seeing ultimately in all that you do, you are serving Christ.

But here I am in Ichabod.  I lament, and I am deeply hurt and sorrowful . . .   

"Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you; but I will instruct you in the good and right way.
  Only fear the Lord and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you. 
 But if you still do wickedly, both you and your king will be swept away."  
(I Samuel 12: 23-25).  

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Easter Production

Driving down the freeway, the large billboard caught my eye.  "Join us for our Easter Production,"  it beckoned with splashy brown and orange colors.  It made me think, yes, that's what the resurrection of Jesus Christ has been reduced to. . . a man made production.  Even this very day we celebrate, the headlines are all about the celebrities that attract the biggest Easter crowd.  E.G. "Tim Tebow draws thousands to Texas Easter service."  Once again, I had to think . . . who is Easter really about?  What happened to "Jesus draws a crowd?" I have grown tired of celebrity worship.  Yet, it seems in America that is what most Christians are interested in. We flock to mega churches, we drink in videos and studies all geared to keep us simple minded and complacent.  No longer is theology a priority to be taught.  No, it's better to read through the Bible in a year by reading only 5 minutes a day.  Never mind, contemplating or discuss...
Post a Comment
Read more

Close Encounters of the Spiritual Kind

   " Put yourself in the path that God will work." (Pastor Martin Smith, 1/2024)  On a crisp, clear Saturday morning, I started up the hill with Gypsy Rose eagerly leading the way.  I was more caught up in the fresh air feeling that was invigorating, than paying attention to the few cars that passed us by.  But there up ahead, a small red truck had slowed to the curb to flag me down.  "Could I help him find his son's house?" He was an older gentleman with his phone in hand.  He couldn't reach his son because the calls only went to voicemail, and he didn't have his address, only that it was somewhere here in Rancho.  I googled his son for him, but unfortunately, it only brought up an older address which was the current address now for this man.  There was no updated address for Rancho Cucamonga.  I told him the bad news, but he was so very gracious.  He did everything to show me that he was for real, pulling out  his driver lice...
Post a Comment
Read more

Awe

  The thunder resounded with a loud clap! Certainly, it came as an afternoon surprise.  The expected rain seemed less than what was forecasted, but with the thunder came a bucket of heavy raindrops splashing against my kitchen window.  I wanted to take it all in, the fresh aroma of falling rain and the beauty of water drops hitting the leaves of my nasturtium and petunia hanging baskets.  Unfortunately, the rain cloud quickly fled, running away into the eastern sky.  But then the sun made its way onto the scene, and I was drawn to a thick band of rainbow colors shining up at me.  The western sky was magnificently orange, completely bound up tight with that solo color scheme.  I went outside to catch it all before it would disappear.  Creation again was causing me to pause in awe and wonder. . . Awe is that reverential wonder, that even includes fear and respect.  It is only a 3 letter word, but it takes bigger and grander words to define it....
Post a Comment
Read more