A Glimpse of God's Holiness

# 69 – Today's Du-votional comes from 1Sa 4:16-18 “Then the man said to Eli, "I am he who came from the battle. And I fled today from the battle line." And he said, "What happened, my son?" 17 So the messenger answered and said, "Israel has fled before the Philistines, and there has been a great slaughter among the people. Also your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead; and the ark of God has been captured." 18 Then it happened, when he made mention of the ark of God, that Eli fell off the seat backward by the side of the gate; and his neck was broken and he died, for the man was old and heavy. And he had judged Israel forty years. The news of the battle now comes to Eli. Note what happens as he hears each successive report.....nothing until the ark of the covenant is mentioned. Israel defeated. No reaction. A great slaughter of the people. No reaction. His sons were killed. No reaction. But when the news of the ark of God being captured reached his ears, he fell off of his seat backwards, broke his neck, and died. I believe Eli was knocked over because God gave him a final glimpse of His holiness, which was embodied in the ark of the covenant. I say that because we read that it happened (Eli fell over) when the messenger “made mention of the ark of the covenant.” The effect of the mere mention of the ark of the covenant on Eli underscoring that the holiness of God is not to be trampled on as he and his sons had done. Grace and mercy are not to be abused I am reminded of the arresting party in the Garden of Gethsemane. They too were allowed a brief glimpse of the holiness of God. They were seeking Jesus of Nazareth and Jesus replied, “I am He.” “Now when He said to them, "I am He," they drew back and fell to the ground. (Jn 18:6) “I am” being the Old Testament name for God, and the mere mention of His name floors the arresting party. God will reveal Himself in all His holiness on the Last Day, don't trample on His mercy and grace, don't profane His name. For only those who have put on Christ in faith and remained in Him will be able to stand.