January-February - The Gospel Magazine

The Gospel Magazine
Ebenezet
C. C. J. BUTLIN (Sheffield)
27
"Then fumueltook o stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and colled the
name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us" ( I Somuel 7: I2)
OUR TEXT concerns a special occasion for the people of God. The story deals
*'ith the placing of a stone; a memorable stone, by Samuel, as a testimony to the
good hand of God being upon His people.
Many Hebrew names had a meaning, a fact that was true of people, places and
objects. The stone set up by Samuel was called "Ebenezer"; i.e., "Hitherto hath
the LORD helped us". This is seen to have been historically true in the previous
happenings which revealed God's overruling care of His people. Hannah's prayer
for a son was followed in due time by his birth, and the giving of him to the
service of God by his parents. Then God spoke to the lad by night, and the divine
message of judgment was fulfilled in the routing of Israel and the death of Eli's
two sons. The capture of the Ark of God was followed by the death of Eli.
--:-:' :'.i . "
SAMUEL'SAPPEAL :, .::-
The subsequent misfortunes of the Philistines were ended by their return of the
Ark. During the next twenty years Samuel grew to manhood. As recorded in
chapter 7 he then appealed to the people of Israel to turn back to God in heart
and mind . . . to put away all worship of false gods and to serve the Lord alone.
This the people agreed to do, whereupon Samuel called upon them to gather at
Mizpeh, and he would pray with them for a national deliverance from their
age-old enemies the Philistines.
Their foes, hearing of the great assembly at Mizpeh decided to attack. This
news brought consternation to the Israelites, who begged Samuel to pray for
them. He did so, and offered up a burnt offering. As the Philistines advanced a
great storm broke upon them, and they were discomfited. Whereupon the
Israelites were enabled to rout them. No more did the Philistines venture to
attack Israel all the davs of Samuel.
EBENEZER
It was at this time, following the rout of the Philistines, that Sarfiuel set up the
stone between Mizpeh and Shen, calling its name EBENEZER, "Hitherto hath
the LORD helped us". The significant word is "hitherto". He looked back
upon the'past, for "hitherto" included all their experiences, not the victories and
the good days only, but also the discipline and the difficult days.