We now come to the first three chapters of 1 Samuel.
The Revival of Shiloh
It is striking that that which introduces this is a beautiful glimpse of the bride of Christ, in the type of Ruth. This brings us to the present century of Christendom in figure. At the beginning of the previous century the Holy Ghost brought again before us the bride of the heavenly Boaz, and the glorious truth of eternal redemption, to be completed in resurrection. And now after Shiloh had been almost forgotten, all at once we have more in these three chapters as to Shiloh, than in the whole word or history of Israel before.
1 Samuel 1, 2, 3
It would be well now to read carefully these three chapters, so full of our subject, and compare them with Revelation 3:7-22. In the one case we have the closing scenes of Shiloh, in the other the closing scenes of Christendom. In both we are close on judgment. May the Holy Ghost open our eyes to see the solemn application to the very circumstances of this day.
Here then in 1 Samuel we have two families, both at Shiloh, the place where the Lord set His name at first. In one family there is nothing that God condemns; in the other, there is nothing that He approves. In the closing days of Christendom there is not one thing the Lord condemns in Philadelphia (Rev. 3:7-13). In Laodicea there is not one thing that He approves (Rev. 3:14-19).
The very names of the two families at Shiloh are most significant; and in their meaning, and all else recorded respectively of them, we learn that it is not enough to be, as is said, on true ground, that is, professedly gathered to Christ, whose right it is, the true Shiloh, the true and only place He approves; but also, what is the real state of soul of those who outwardly are so gathered.
There is then the family of Elkanah, and the family of Eli. Both are at Shiloh. Everything said in these chapters is about them at Shiloh. No one can deny or fail to admit there has been a most remarkable revival of this very truth, as to the only true place of worship and service of Christians, gathered to Christ, the true Shiloh, in these last ninety years.
As Elkanah is named first, we will first take his name. Elkanah is, “God has redeemed,” “possession of God,” “whom God created.” In this name all is of God. Redemption is an accomplished thing, God has redeemed us to Himself; we are His, and none shall pluck us out of His hand. We are His possession, we are not our own. “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creation;” and that new creation is wholly of God. This very name Elkanah indicates the blessed truths God has restored in these last days.
And the name “Hannah” is equally characteristic. “Grace and mercy.” Oh, the freeness of His favor, and the depths of His mercy!
In contrast with all this, Eli means “a foster son,” “adopted of the Lord;” and it is very remarkable that in Greek the word Diotrophes means a similar thing! All this points out officialism, in place of the enjoyed relationship of a child born of God. Is there not a difference between God adopting the flesh, and imparting the divine nature as born of God?
The names of the sons of Eli are equally characteristic of that which is not approved of God.
Hophni means “Boxer, pugilist.” In Arabic, “To fill both hands full.”
Phinehas, “Mouth of brass.” This boldness may be for good, as in the case of another Phinehas; but what one sees and deplores in some who have taken a place at Shiloh, that is, professedly gathered to Christ, is just what answers to these names. Instead of seeking to help and feed the whole church of God, wherever found, with the blessed truths of a full and eternal redemption—God’s unceasing love and care for His saints as His own possession—and that every believer is God’s new creation; instead of unfolding the riches of His grace and the depths of His mercy; instead of these things, nothing suits their nature more than to go into a village, or a town, and fight everybody and every sect like a boxing pugilist, with a mouth of brass that knows no shame. Such then are the names of the two families, both at Shiloh. And even in the family of Elkanah, Peninnah the prosperous and faithful, was not so approved as Hannah, the feeble, yet daughter of grace and mercy. What warnings and divine teaching for us.
(Continued and to be continued)