Fourth Banner

The fourth BAD, is the Banner Accompanying Defusing.

Understand up front that to defuse is to extinguish, to put out, or to make less potent and powerful. It is as when experts come to a place where a most deadly and powerful bomb has been placed, a bomb that is known to do great and widespread destruction. It is a power source, if you like, which is full of ready, engaging and explosive power. There is never any doubt about the power source, so that the only way to contain the source’s power, is to defuse it.

The Israelite elders cannot believe their ears and eyes when they see the Lord’s army totally stripped by the enemy. These leaders know God and they know that God’s Word is His bond. They know that it has to be that God is displeased or something, because they know that no enemy can have victory over them, just like that. For the children of God, it is not that the enemy won victory over them, but rather that God brought defeat upon them.

The elders quickly come up with a cure, an answer, to this grave problem. Bring the power source back to camp. Let us bring the ark of the LORD’s covenant from Shiloh, so that it may go with us and save us from the hand of our enemy. 1 Samuel 4: 3b. Men are sent to Shiloh and the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD Almighty is brought back to Ebenezer. Accompanying the Ark are the priests, Hophni and Phinehas, two sons of Eli. The presence of the Ark in the Israelite camp is like the very physical Presence of God Himself with His people. They are so happy that they raise a shout which shakes the ground and alerts the enemy to something going on in their camp. However, when the enemy is told the reason for the Hebrew army's celebrating, they become afraid. But this only strengthens their resolve, determination and desire to be victors over the Hebrews.

I ask you this. Are not the enemy, the Philistines, in a right old pickle? Are they not totally outnumbered, if God and one make a majority? Should they not hold up the white flag and surrender, since, according to them, Woe to us! Who will deliver us from the hand of these mighty gods? They are the gods who struck the Egyptians with all kinds of plagues in the desert. 1 Samuel 4: 8.

Note! The Ark of the Covenant of the Lord is in the Hebrew camp, not in the Philistine camp.

The Hebrew Camp is celebrating and shouting because their guaranteed power source is present with them. The Philistine Camp is pensive and afraid because they know that they do not have those gods with them.

The Hebrew Camp is positive that they will be delivered from the Philistines, so they are celebrating. The Philistine Camp is asking who will deliver them from the power source in the Israelite Camp. Their leaders spend the time strengthening themselves and their men. Be strong, Philistines! Be men, or you will be subject to the Hebrews, as they have been to you. Be men, and fight! 1 Samuel 4: 9

The battle resumes. The Philistines are there with renewed energy, greater determination and a recalculated mind-set, which forbids them from even thinking defeat. All they have is strong determination, while the Israelite army rest on their power source, the Ark. They are sure that the Presence of the Lord with them will change things and make them the victors.

But God is not mocked, nor is He manipulated. The battle rages and the Hebrew children are not just defeated, but their power source is defused. It is no help to them. How has this been done? What has been done?

As you can see, we need to continue with this banner, tomorrow.