II THE RESUMPTION OF HOSTILITIES WITH GOD’S ENEMIES.
- Perception. The people who get right with God are perceived by the heathen to be on a war footing. Note how the Philistines react to their repentance and restoration to fellowship with God. It was in their eyes an act of aggression! You cannot be right with God and not face the hostility of the devil’s crowd. Even as God’s people begin to get right with Him, the enemy strikes.
- The old foe. The enemy that had defeated them 20 years previously needs to be addressed. Getting right with God means addressing the same enemy/battle/defeat that marked our departure from Him! It is interesting to remark the meaning of the name Mizpeh = ‘watchtower’. They had a new view of the enemy! They now shared the alert view of the watchman who had seen the hostile invader. A restored people have a new sensitivity to all that is strange and hostile to the cause of God.
- Fear. They did not approach this situation without apprehension and trembling. For some no doubt this arrival of the enemy was unexpected. There is a daunting side to fellowship with God. To be on His side means reproach and the intimidating opposition of His enemies. We can have no confidence in the flesh in these matters.
- A time for prayer, v8. Specially, they looked to Samuel to pray. They wanted to hear him pray! ‘Be not silent from us to pray…’ It is likely they were simply asking him to lead them in prayer so they might be guided how to pray, and so pray with him. God’s people are arming themselves for the conflict in this way. Fear gives way to faith and resting on the Lord.
III GOD GIVES A GREAT VICTORY.
- The sacrifice, v9. The basis of what happened here was the burnt offering composed of the sucking lamb. Samuel, acting as a priest, makes atonement for the nation, and praying on the basis of shed blood, obtains the favour and intervention of God. God hears such prayer and responds in power. The significance of the burnt offering is underscored here—a complete offering—wholly… In a time of surrender to God it is important to remember that acceptance with Him is based on the perfect surrender of Christ to make a full atonement for sin.
- God leads the warfare, v10. God acts here as the champion of His revived and pardoned people. He strikes the enemy as they draw near. He ‘speaks’ and the enemy is in consternation and is broken.
- The men of Israel follow! They are called to deal with a smitten enemy and to pursue a fleeing foe, v10-11.
- Memorialized in stone, v12. The name is significant.
It recalls a previous defeat, 4:1.
It reminds of God’s delivering power obtained by getting right with Him. God helps such a people. Cp Heb 13:5-6. He is the rock of help for those who trust obediently to Him.