Ebenezer
Zion's Advocate, Vol. 38, No. 9, September 1899
Ebenezer was the name of a place in Palestine, perhaps in west Judah, so called by Samuel who set up a stone there as a memorial of a signal victory given by the Lord to the Israelites over their enemies, the Philistines. The name signifies the stone of help, which accounts for the saying of Samuel on the occasion of its being set up, "Hitherto hath the Lord helped us." I. Sam. vii. 12. The place is mentioned twice before (I. Sam. iv. 1 and v. 1), no doubt in anticipation of the event recorded in the seventh chapter to which we refer. The children of Israel had disobeyed the Lord and he had forsaken them. At this place they had met the Philistines in a former battle and had been repulsed with the loss of thirty thousand men, among whom were the two sons of Eli, the priest and judge in Israel. Even the ark of the covenant was taken. To add to their woe Eli fell and expired on hearing the dreadful news, he being an old man. For the long period of twenty years the children of Israel were left to mourn the absence of that God who had formerly delivered them and cared for them.Acting upon the advice of Samuel they put away their strange gods which they had kept among them, and returned to the service of the Lord. When threatened with another battle they implored Samuel to plead for them that they might be saved out of the hand of the Philistines. The Lord accepted the burnt offering of Samuel, and heard the petitions he offered in behalf of his people. Accordingly their enemies were discomfited by the Lord's terrible thunder, so that the Israelites not only defeated them but completely disbanded them, and regained all the cities they had taken.
As emblem of praise to God for this interposition in their behalf, Samuel set up his "Ebenezer." This "stone of help" was designed to give glory to the great name of the God of Israel. It had been demonstrated that the strongest enemy was utterly powerless when Jehovah was engaged on the side of Israel. While they had gone far astray the Lord had not suffered them to apostatize entirely, and in remembrance of his covenant he raised up Samuel the last of the judges and one of the noblest men of Old Testament times, and brought them back to his service and miraculously blessed them in a time of great need. It was certainly the proper time to erect an "Ebenezer."
The Lord having forsaken them because of their rebellion, they had become reduced to a state of deep distress. They were thus prepared to magnify and adore the name of him who had again appeared as their deliverer. David says, "I was brought low and he helped me. Return unto thy rest, O my soul, for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee." When in the dark valley of despondency the poor child of God wanders, he is thereby prepared to appreciate the timely help of the Lord when he appears as the rock of his protection and defense. As he retrospects the past the rich mercy and protecting care of his God is brought to mind, and he joyfully lifts a sweet Ebenezer in honor of his blessed name. When the crushing weight of sorrow and pain bears heavily upon him, and the Lord appears as his support, from his grateful heart flows out an Ebenezer of praise. The Lord's hand being seen all along his eventful journey, he is constrained to sing,
Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
'Tis grace that brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.
"Hitherto hath the Lord helped us." How forcibly is this taught to the Lord's people by his merciful and gracious dealings with them! The obstructions along the way are so great, the sorrows of life are so deep, that if the Lord did not help them none could cross the world's barren desert - all would fall by the wayside. But by his help they press on, and, as they are permitted to rest in the green pastures and walk by the still waters, they sing with triumphant joy,
Here I raise my Ebenezer;
Hither by thy help I'm come;
And I hope, by thy good pleasure,
Safely to arrive at home.
J. R. D.
Copyright c. 2003. All rights reserved. The Primitive Baptist Library.
