By: Revd Prof J. Kwabena Asamoah-Gyadu
Date 22nd Dec 2010
Readings: 1Sam Chaps 1-4, Mt 1:18-25
Let’s begin the Christmas story from a very unlikely place in 1Samuel chapters 1-4; Is2 12-17.
Eli and his two sons, Hophni and Phinehas were priests in Israel.
Eli’s sons were wicked and had no regard for the Lord. They took the best parts of the offering even before it was presented to the Lord. In fact they treated the Lord’s offering with contempt. They also slept with the women and abused them.
Eli was very old at this time. One day he called his sons and asked them a question:
1Sa 2:25 If a man sins against a man, God will mediate for him; but if a man sins against the LORD, who can intercede for him?" But they would not listen to the voice of their father; for it was the will of the LORD to slay them.
So one day Israel went to war with the Philistines and the Ark of the Lord was captured. Eli’s two sons were killed. As soon as Eli was told this, he fell over his chair, broke his neck and died.
The wife of Phinehas was pregnant and about to deliver and when she heard that her father-in-law and her husband were dead she went into labour and not even the knowledge that she had given birth to a son was good enough news to make her live. She lost her life in child-birth. But before she died she named her child Ichabod meaning ‘The glory has departed from Israel’ because the Ark had been captured.
In those days the Ark symbolised the presence of God among His people and its capture meant the people of Israel were left without a covering.
In the New Testament, in the birth of Jesus, that Glory has been restored.
1. The name Jesus means he will save his people from sin
Mt 1:21 she will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.
2. Immanuel means God with us; His presence - His Glory- which was taken away has been restored to those who confess him as their Lord and saviour
Isa 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel
Joh 1:12 But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God;
Lu 2:9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear.
Lu 2:14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased!"
As we celebrate Christmas let’s remember the change of name from Ichabod to Immanuel, meaning God’s favour and presence have been restored and we now have His covering over us.
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