(Sandra and I at our 50th wedding anniversary January 2012)
“And she named the child Ichabod, saying, the glory is departed from
Israel: because the ark of God was taken, and because of her father in law and
her husband. And she said, The glory is departed from Israel: for the ark of
God is taken (1 Samuel 4:21, 22).
Most
people of my generation have heard the name Ichabod from Washington
Irving’s famous short story, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. The story was
set in upstate New York in the 1790’s. In the story a schoolmaster named
Ichabod Crane was pursued by a phantom called the Headless Horseman. Washington
Irving was one of the first American writers to gain acclaim in Europe. He also
wrote the short story Rip Van Winkle. These were two of my favorite
childhood stories.
Ichabod is a Bible name found in our text above. According to Strong’s
Concordance it is Hebrew for “there is no glory”. In reading the
entire account, we see the corruption of the Aaronic priesthood, especially of
the high priest Eli's evil sons, Phinehas and Hophni. Also we read about the
death of Eli. Eli himself was a faithful priest, except in his weakness of
ruling his corrupt sons. Eli was the high priest, so he not only had authority
as their father, but as their priest. Yet Eli failed to reign them in. He
attempted to correct them when they were committing evil acts, which included
having sex with women that came to the tabernacle (See 1 Samuel 2:22). Eli’s
corrections were only ignored words, since he did not use his authority to remove
his sons from the priesthood as he should have done.
God sent a prophet to rebuke Eli and warn him of coming judgment
(1 Samuel 2:27-36). This man of God told Eli that there would be a sign to him
-- that both of his sons, Phinehas and Hophni, would die on the same
day. This is exactly what happened! The Philistines overran the
Israelites, and the ark was taken by the Philistines, and truly the glory of
the Lord was departed from Israel, which meant that God’s presence was removed
from them for a time of judgment. As all this was happening, Phinehas’ wife was
giving birth to the son who was to be named Ichabod, and she died giving
birth to him. This was an ominous warning to Israel of much worse things to
come. Earlier Jehovah had spoken to the very young prophet, Samuel that this
judgment was coming “And
the LORD said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the
ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle. In that day I will perform
against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin,
I will also make an end. For I have told him that I will judge his house for
ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile,
and he restrained them not. And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli,
that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor
offering for ever” (1 Samuel 3:11-14).
This Old Testament example has application to us in the New
Testament church. Throughout the NT, especially in the epistles, we are warned
of forsaking the “Faith once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 3). The
little book of Jude warns of apostasy (falling away from the faith), and its
consequences. Just as departing from the true way brought judgment on
Eli, his sons and the nation of Israel, it brings judgment on the NT church as
well. In our day there are many “ministers” of a false gospel leading
people away from the true faith. They are not following the admonitions of the
Lord given by Christ and the apostles to “walk in the Spirit”. Revivalists used
to speak of Ichabod being written “over the doorposts” of many churches.
In our day here in North America, Ichabod would have to be written on
the doorposts of most churches, for
the glory has departed along with the true gospel. God is not going to bless
deviation from His explicit instructions and commands, rather He curses it! God
says through Paul‘s inspired words “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that
called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another;
but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But
though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that
which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say
I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have
received, let him be accursed”(Galatians 1:6-9). It is not modern methods of preaching such as the
internet, television, satellite radio, mail outs, etc. that God opposes. What
God opposes is changing the gospel message! Perhaps never before in
American history have we had so many who claim to be preaching the
gospel, but are not really preaching the true, uncompromised, message.
The pressure to accept any religion as true as long as it
has faithful followers is evident as never before. It is not ecumenism that is
the major thrust now, but acceptance and working in harmony with all
religions. But Christians cannot be in harmony with idolatry! The Bible, God’s
inspired word, tells us clearly that there is only one savior and one
true religion! This makes some people angry, but it is the truth! Jesus did
not say He was one of several ways, but He said “I
am the way, the truth and the life: No man cometh unto the father but by me”
(John 14:6).
With this in view, why does Southern Baptist pastor Rick Warren,
who is perhaps the most influential pastor in the world, advocate that all
the various religions of the world (whom he calls “people of faith”), work
together with governments of the world to support health care, and other needs?
Warren said this at Bill Clinton’s Global Initiative meeting in New York
on September 26, 2008. These “people of faith” Rick Warren speaks of are
Buddhists, Muslims, Hindus, Shinto’s, etc. He regards all religious
people as people of faith. But faith in what? Warren deviates
dangerously from God’s word. I am not making this up! Of course, there are many
other false teachers who are spreading things that are not biblical. The truth
is, either we stay true to God’s word, or we have no real gospel. Think about
it!
I have no doubt that those pastors and churches who follow Rick
Warren’s philosophy have become Ichabod, for truly the glory of the true
God, our Jehovah-Jesus, has departed from them. I do not know, nor does
anyone, how much time we have left. We are certainly closer to Christ’s return
than we have ever been. I think it is time to repent and declare the true
gospel. Can we not see that Satan is working feverishly now? Every day we see
more signs that the end is near. My friends be about the Father’s business.
Endeavor to do His will daily. We that are saved are His witnesses, His
ambassadors. Can your neighbors see Christ in you? Are you revealing Him, or
are you just like the world? I am asking you now, but you do not have to answer
to me. God is the one you must answer. Are you ready for His return? I hope so.
May God bless you!
