Make Sure it’s God Talking

1 Samuel 6:1-18

God can speak to us through circumstances

•The Philistines recognize that YHWH is at work

God can speak to us through circumstances

•They know that they need to respond to Him•Won’t return it empty•Make a trespass/guilt offering•Make gold symbols of the disease •5 to symbolize the 5 principle cities/lords

God can speak to us through circumstances

•They know that they need to respond appropriately to Him•1 Samuel 6:6 “Why should you harden your hearts as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? After he had dealt severely with them, did they not send the people away, and they departed?”

God can speak to us through circumstances

•We see parallels between here and Egypt•Turned the water into blood to show that He was greater than Hapi, Khnum and Osiris•Control of frogs showed that He was greater than Heqt•Death of cattle showed superiority over Ptah•Boils showed the defeat of Sekhmet•Hail came from the domain of Nut•Darkness obscured the might of Ra

But circumstances can be circumstantial!

•The Philistines want to make sure its YHWH•Want to make sure it isn’t chance (9)•Hitch milk cows to the wagon•It goes straight to the Levitical city of Beth Shemesh

But circumstances can be circumstantial!

But circumstances can be circumstantial!

•The Philistines want to make sure its YHWH•Want to make sure it isn’t chance (9)•Hitch milk cows to the wagon•It goes straight to the Levitical city of Beth Shemesh•And the people worship!

But circumstances can be circumstantial!

•Were they right or wrong to do what they did?•Gideon had a direct word from God, and yet wanted to make sure (Jud 6)•Hezekiah asked for a sign that he would be healed (2 Kings 20)•Ahaz was told to ask for a sign (Is 7)

But circumstances can be circumstantial!

•But the Pharisees asked for a sign and they were rebuked!•Matthew 16:1-4 “And the Pharisees and Sadducees came,

and to test him they asked him to show them a sign from heaven. He answered them, ‘When it is evening, you say, “It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.” And in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.” You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.’”

But circumstances can be circumstantial!

•1Jn 4:1 “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.”•If it’s important to check what someone else says, it’s important to double check circumstantial evidence!

But circumstances can be circumstantial!

•How can we be sure it’s God talking?•Consider circumstances•Study His Word•2 Timothy 3:16 “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness”

But circumstances can be circumstantial!

•Seek Godly advise•Pr 15:22 “Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.”

•Pray for wisdom•James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”

But circumstances can be circumstantial!

•An example from Paul shows us why wisdom is so important•Paul felt that God was leading him to Jerusalem and Rome (Acts 19:21)•Others felt like God was telling Him not to go (Acts 21:4)•Many say that he will experience hardship (Acts 21:8-12, 20:23)•Paul recognizes the truth, but is willing to go where he feels led (20:20, 22; 21:13)

But circumstances can be circumstantial!

•Make a decision•There are times when we are to “wait upon the Lord”•But sometimes waiting is a decision•We often put off making a decision because we’re scared•God is most concerned about who we are•Trust that God will use the decision you make for good!