ALPHA MAAMA (A.M.)

Tokonaki Tisema 4, 2021

all Israel shouted so loudly that the earth shook

pea hiki ‘e ‘Isileli kātoa ‘enau fu‘u tuē pea fe‘u‘ulu ai ‘a e fonua.

1 Samiuela 4 (1 Samuel 4)

(v. 5-6) Pea ‘i he hū mai ‘a e ‘A‘ake ‘o e Kovinānite ‘o Sihova ki he ‘apitanga, pea hiki ‘e ‘Isileli kātoa ‘enau fu‘u tuē, pea fe‘u‘ulu ai ‘a e fonua. Pea ‘i he fanongo ‘e he kau Filisitia ki he ongoonga‘a mai ‘a e tuē, na‘a nau pehē, Ko e hā ‘a e fu‘u tuē na ‘i he ‘apitanga ‘o e kau Hepelū ‘oku ongoonga‘a mai? Pea nau ‘ilo tā ko e ‘a‘ake ‘o Sihova kuo hū mai ki he ‘apitanga.

(v. 5-6)  And when the ark of the covenant of the Lord came into the camp, all Israel shouted so loudly that the earth shook. Now when the Philistines heard the noise of the shout, they said, “What does the sound of this great shout in the camp of the Hebrews mean?” Then they understood that the ark of the Lord had come into the camp.

 

David Guzik :: Study Guide for 1 Samuel 4

All Israel shouted so loudly that the earth shook: Someone passing by Israel’s camp would think something tremendous was happening. Certainly, this would be considered a great church service, and many would think Israel really trusted God. But for all the appearances, it was really nothing. All the noise and excitement meant nothing because it wasn’t grounded in God’s truth.

The Israelites probably felt they were better than the Philistines because the Philistines were pagans, worshipping false gods. Yet the Israelites thought and acted just like pagans, thinking they could manipulate God and force Him into doing what they wanted Him to do.

“Had they humbled themselves, and prayed devoutly and fervently for success, they would have been heard and saved. Their shouting proved both their vanity and irreligion.” (Clarke)

The earth shook: “Now, beloved, when you are worshipping God, shout if you are filled with holy gladness. If the shout comes from your heart, I would not ask you to restrain it. God forbid that we should judge any man’s worship! But do not be so foolish as to suppose that because there is loud noise there must also be faith. Faith is a still water, it flows deep. True faith in God may express itself with leaping and with shouting; and it is a happy thing when it does: but it can also sit still before the Lord, and that perhaps is a happier thing still.” (Spurgeon)