2. Here I Raise My Ebenezer
1 Samuel 7:1-14

3. Introduction
Have you ever wondered what the song “O Thou Fount of Every Blessing” means by, “Here I raise my Ebenezer”?
Do you know what an “ebenezer” is?
If you know, then do you know how to “raise your ebenezer”?
If not, then we’ll look for answers to both questions in this lesson

4. Background The story occurs in the days of Samuel
Many obstacles have been overcome
The exodus from Egypt
The wilderness wanderings
The conquest of the land
The period of the judges
God helped Israel through each period
Sometimes He punished them
But always He helped them
In return, the Israelites grumbled, complained, disobeyed, and worshiped idols

5. Background
For 20 years the ark of the covenant has not been part of Israel’s religious life
Lost in battle by the sons of Eli
Kept by the Philistines for a time
Returned to Israel
Briefly in Beth Shemesh
Then taken to Kirjath Jearim

6. Ebenezer 1 Sam 7:1-14 “Ebenezer” is Hebrew, means “stone of help”
For Samuel it mean that “Thus far the Lord has helped us”
The stone was not an idol, not to be worshiped
It was a memorial
Remembering what God had done to help
As a result of their gratitude, God helped subdue the Philistines, and restored lost territory (some lost for 100+ years)

7. Other “ebenezers”
Other men also set up stones as memorials of God’s help (though not called “ebenezer”
Jacob in Gen 28:10-22
God granted a vision to the scared and fleeing Jacob
Jacob set up his stone pillow as a memorial of God’s promise to help
Joshua and Israel (Jos 4:1-7, 19-24)
Stones set up as a memorial of God’s help crossing the Jordan and the Red Sea

8. Raising an ebenezer Not suggesting making stone monuments
But I think we can figuratively raise ebenezers (memorials of God’s help)
If we don’t remember, then the lessons will be lost to us and the future
So how can we raise our ebenezers?

9. Count your blessings
Samuel saw how richly God had blessed them and wanted everyone to remember
Is it hard to find things to be thankful for?
Acts 14:17
James 1:17
We have more than most in the world
We can make a memorial by returning a portion to God, sharing a portion with others in need, doing good work (2 Cor 9:6-8)

10. Gratitude and Contentment
After Samuel raised his ebenezer, he found they could live in peace
Gratitude for past blessings brought future blessings and contentment (Col 3:15)
We have much to be thankful for (1 Thes 5:16-18)
Even for future blessings (Phil 4:6-7)

11. By Building Up His House
Jacob called his stone, Bethel “House of God”
A reference to the house of God that would come from his descendants
Remember we too are part of God’s house
1 Pet. 2:1-5
We offer spiritual sacrifice (Rom 12:1-2)
We build on the foundation (Eph 2:19-22)

12. By obedience
Matt 7:24-27
Only the obedient have built on the rock
The disobedient are on the sand
Trials will afflict everyone
But only the obedient will persevere
Obedience is a sign of gratitude, a living ebenezer (Acts 2:41-47)
From the day of their conversion their lives and lifestyles changed
They lived in the apostles’ doctrine

13. Instructing future generations
We need to look to concrete reference points to show how God has blessed us
If we complain about how hard it is to be a Christian, then the next generation will be less likely to choose it
If we circumvent the word and go our own way, they will learn to rebel
If we show them what God has done for us
If we thank God each step of the way
Then they may realize they want the same blessings for themselves

14. Conclusion Each day, let us raise our ebenezer
Acknowledge that God has helped us
Be grateful and thankful for that help
Be content with what He has done
Show others, by our words and lives, that we remember