Dora Pierce Professor of Bible and Professor of Old Testament
I Samuel 4:1-22
November 2, 2007
In this story ancient Israel devises a plan to avoid another defeat by the hand of the Philistines by bringing the Ark of the Covenant into battle. They are defeated anyway and the Ark, Israel’s glory, goes into captivity/exile. Two problems faced the ancient community: they were led by corrupt and venal leaders and they forgot what it means to be a people that views itself as being in covenant with God. Ancient problems that are also contemporary. Listen to the sermon. Read the sermon in PDF.
I Samuel 4:1-22
November 2, 2007
In this story ancient Israel devises a plan to avoid another defeat by the hand of the Philistines by bringing the Ark of the Covenant into battle. They are defeated anyway and the Ark, Israel’s glory, goes into captivity/exile. Two problems faced the ancient community: they were led by corrupt and venal leaders and they forgot what it means to be a people that views itself as being in covenant with God. Ancient problems that are also contemporary. Listen to the sermon. Read the sermon in PDF.