I invite you to join me in making a theological reflection on the "Departure of Glory - Ichabod" as mentioned in the Bible from

1 Samuel 4 v 19-22

Eli’s daughter-in-law, the wife of Phinehas, was pregnant and was about to give birth. When she heard the news that the Ark of God had been taken and that Eli, her father-in-law, and Phinehas, her husband, were both dead, she began to give birth to her child. The child was born, but the mother had much trouble in giving birth. As she was dying, the women who helped her said, “Don’t worry! You’ve given birth to a son!” But she did not answer or pay attention. She named the baby Ichabod, saying, “Israel’s glory is gone.” She said this because the Ark of God had been taken and her father-in-law and husband were dead. She said, “Israel’s glory is gone, because the Ark of God has been taken away.”

Can the Glory depart from - a nation, individual( pastor,Bishop, WMS, Laity, RAYAC etc ),family home?

What are the positive indicators of the departure of God's glory in each of the above cases

-- Anonymous, January 21, 2003

Answers

Parson Mwandu -

Thanks for the instructive Bible lesson. The Book of Genesis records an interesting statement by Jehovah where He declares that "His Spirit shall not always dwell with men". Names, like Ichabod, in the Sacred Text are more than just metaphorical anomalies. The name relates to a specifc event, place or person. I would venture to say that evidence of the departure of God's Glory occurs when we as a people succumb to:

1. Complacency 2. Arrogance 3. Ignorance 4. Timidity 5. Indecision

QED

-- Anonymous, January 21, 2003

I would further refer the study to Hebrews 6:4, which specifically deals with a five-fold apostasy.

-- Anonymous, January 21, 2003

My first and immediate response to this question is NO it cannot be done. Often we have heard, "Don't leave Christ out of Christmas". However, when it comes to Christianity this is often what we have done.

The Bible from Genesis to Revelation tells us who Jesus Is. It tells us why He came and what He came to do. It also reminds us that He will surly come again. When we, who are called by His Name fail to see this we get sidetracked on customs and rituals long since past their usefulness and time--mainly because they have already been fulfilled and given new meaning in Christ. We also tend to lift texts out of context and lose the message they impart.

The Gospel of Jesus the Christ plainly states, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee" (Hebrews 13:5). "And, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world" (Matthew 28:20).

Thus in this context, we can boldly declare with the author of Psalm 139:

"Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee. For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well

-- Anonymous, January 21, 2003