Now his daughter-in-law, the wife of Phinehas, was pregnant, about to give birth. And when she heard the news that the ark of God was captured, and that her father-in-law and her husband were dead, she bowed and gave birth, for her pains came upon her. And about the time of her death the women attending her said to her, “Do not be afraid, for you have borne a son.” But she did not answer or pay attention. And she named the child Ichabod, saying, “The glory has departed from Israel!” because the ark of God had been captured and because of her father-in-law and her husband. And she said, “The glory has departed from Israel, for the ark of God has been captured.”
(1 Samuel 4:19-22 ESV)
What a name to have: "Where is the Glory?" But it represents well the atmosphere of that time. When the people of Israel were defeated and the ark taken captive, they had almost lost all hope. The ark was their last shot at defeating those trying to take over their country. They put too much hope in the box, but their thoughts had elements of truth. The ark did represent the Glory of God: His presence on the throne, His commandments, His provision of Manna, and His direction through the rod of Aaron - all of these contents of the ark represented the glory of God's plan, power and presence, which for all intents and purposes had been removed. Not because the Philistines had stolen them, but because they themselves had turned their backs on them. God is still in His glory; HE still has it. Have we turned away from it, from Him?
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