“His daughter-in-law, the wife of Phinehas, was pregnant and near the time of delivery. When she heard the news that the ark of God had been captured and that her father-in-law and her husband were dead, she went into labor and gave birth, but was overcome by her labor pains. 20 As she was dying, the women attending her said, “Don’t despair; you have given birth to a son.” But she did not respond or pay any attention. 21 She named the boy Ichabod,[c] saying, “The Glory has departed from Israel”—because of the capture of the ark of God and the deaths of her father-in-law and her husband. 22 She said, “The Glory has departed from Israel, for the ark of God has been captured.” 1 Samuel 4.19-22
The Bible is not always this depressing! Sometimes, yes, but often, no. Today, however, we read a sad story about the wife of Phinehas, one of Eli’s sons, who lost her life in childbirth after hearing about the death of her husband and father-in-law. What terrible timing to receive such news.
Isn’t it sobering how one person’s sins can affect so many others? The sins of Phinehas and his brother, and Eli’s complicity in allowing them to get away with desecrating the Lord’s offering, affected Phinehas’ wife, who bore a child directly impacted by their actions. He was named Ichabod, meaning “the glory has departed from Israel,” for the Ark of God had been captured.
What did Ichabod do to deserve such a cursed name? His entire life would be lived in the shadow of his father and grandfather’s failures. This was a failure on a grand scale—it impacted an entire nation and resulted in God removing His blessing from His people.
Yet in the midst of distress, God will bring hope. As we know, Samuel is waiting in the wings, and God has His new leader ready for the nation. But until then, God’s glory departs, the Ark is stolen, a mother dies in childbirth, and a newborn will never know his mother, father, uncle, or grandfather.
Our actions matter. What we do, what we think, and what we say affect us and determine how we might, or might not, be blessed by the Lord. We are in a battle for our souls, our nation, our families, and our lives. This emphasizes even more that our lives matter. We must choose life and not death, holiness and not sin, beauty and not darkness. We can and must lean into the light. As our impact and influence grow, so does the height from which we might fall if we do not cling to Jesus. Cling to Him, for He has the ability to save you and redeem you from the darkness.
The good news is that God does not abandon His people—He may seem to depart momentarily, but that is more about our movement than His. God is with us. He is here. In the midst of sin and shame, Christ brings forth light. Allow His light to shine in and through you this day.
“O Lord God, you are a good and loving Father. I thank you for giving us your Spirit and for allowing us to walk in the newness of your light. Forgive us when we fail, redeem us, and return to us. Help us feel the power of your love and the strength of your Spirit. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen