Not everyone is that concerned about the coming Philistines. For Eli, the high priest, it is the furthest thing from his mind. Even the news about his sons does not seem to faze him. He is concerned for the ark. Where others thought it was a relic of power, a relic to be used and abused, a relic to control God, Eli knows better. He knows that the ark signifies God’s presence. The Lord of hosts dwells in heaven but has promised to be present among his people—a presence that was tied to the ark.

If the ark has been captured, that means the glory of God has departed. That means no more life in God’s presence. No more miniature garden of Eden in Canaan, no more blood to be sprinkled on the mercy seat. The ritual for the Day of Atonement cannot be completed without the ark. Israel has become like the pagan nations around them. The lowest point in the Judges period is not the civil war that almost annihilates the tribe of Benjamin (cf. Judges 19:1 – 21:25). No, it is this moment where the glory of the Lord departs.

Phinehas’s wife also realizes the significance of the ark’s capture. After the news of her husband’s death, she finds no comfort in the birth of a son. The glory has departed, the Lord has left his people. And with this departure we have an exile of sorts. Not the people being kicked out of land, but the Lord leaving his people. An exile which Israel was warned against in the old covenant law. If you are going to enjoy life in the presence of God who is holy, you cannot do as you please. You need to become more like him, you need to be made holy and grow in godliness. If you refuse to do so, either you die or the Lord will depart. Later in Ezekiel we see something similar. In Ezekiel 9:1–11 and Ezekiel 10:1–22, there is a vision of the glory of the Lord departing Jerusalem on account of people’s sin.

The departure of the Lord’s glory raises the question: how do we get it back? How can we meet the standards God expects so that we can obtain life? How can we ever hope to come into his presence and stay in his presence?

In the law of God, the moral commands of Scripture tell us about one way: the way of works—the way of complete and perfect obedience. Faithful service to God from the cradle to the grave. The one who seeks to dwell with the Lord must be blameless.

But that is not a road that you and I can walk. On account of our sinful nature, we have no hope of life in God’s presence if it depends in any way on our obedience, because our obedience will always be imperfect. In his grace, however, the Lord has provided another way. The Father sent the Son and he was obedient in our stead. First there will be a prototype, a picture. King David, the man after God’s own heart will bring the ark of the covenant, the glory of the Lord back to Israel’s capital (see 2 Samuel 6:1–23). Then it will be Jerusalem rather than Shiloh, but nevertheless, the ark will be back at the centre. And David would also commission the work of temple building so that there can be a house, a place where God’s people can once again come to meet him. A place where they can dwell together. But it will be only a partial work, only a picture of what the greater Son would come to do, because David was not perfect. He was not able to live the perfect life in our place. He was not able to renew hearts and minds. He was not able to make God’s people holy.

But Jesus Christ was able to do that. The Son who was with the Father and the Spirit before the creation of the world, sharing in the Father’s glory (John 17:1–26). He set aside that glory for our sake. He took on flesh and was born of a woman, born under law to redeem those under the law that we might receive the full rights of sons (Galatians 4:4–6). The inheritance that he deserves for his obedience, the inheritance of eternal life in God’s presence, is an inheritance which you and I can receive if we have been united to him through faith. And what is more, as a reward for his obedience, he was exalted to the Father’s right hand and given all authority. The authority to send the Holy Spirit. The Spirit comes to sanctify us, to help us fight against sin, renew our hearts and minds, and lead us in works of obedience.

Belonging to Christ, it is now our aim to walk in his ways, be content with what he has given to us, and submit to his will rather than try to manipulate him to our own will. He is God, and we must listen to him.