Ichabod means “the Glory of God has departed.”
In 1 Samuel 4, the Philistines captured the Ark of the Covenant. When Eli, the priest in Shiloh, was told the Philistines had defeated Israel in battle and both his sons were killed, Eli fell backward off his chair, broke his neck, and died. His daughter-in-law was pregnant. She gave birth and named the son Ichabod, meaning “the glory of God had departed” (1 Samuel 4:21).
When the Philistines captured the Ark, the glory departed from the Israelites, and Ichabod became a reality.
Jesus spoke about the glory of God leaving Israel. In His final word to the religious leaders in Matthew 23, He said, “Your house is left to you desolate” (Matthew 23:37-38). That was His warning to Israel for the rejection of their Messiah. He told their leaders that their house is left desolate — Ichabod, the glory is departing.
He says, “your house is desolate.” Not “My house,” not “My Father’s house,” now it’s “your house” because God has left. Ichabod! God is no longer there. It’s not the Father’s house; it’s not My house; it’s yours.
What caused Ichabod in Israel? Sin, disobedience, and idolatry are things that are still present today. We must never take the glory of God for granted or we’ll find that Ichabod has become a reality among us.
Ichabod as a Reality
The Canaanites practiced child sacrifice. Our modern-day lawmakers call it abortion. Ichabod!
God is there to minister to the woman who has had an abortion and is dealing with the emotional pain, but for a culture to argue for and to accept the killing of children. Ichabod!
On June 26, 2015, eight years ago, same-sex marriage became legal. Two days later, I spoke about this in church, saying the Church would be forever changed, meaning it would now be divided because I knew a portion of those sitting in the pews were in favor of the passing of the law and others were against it. The Church was now divided. Eight years later, that prediction proves true as surveys reveal that more and more evangelicals are okay with same-sex marriage. Ichabod!
In Your Inbox
In the story of Ruth, her mother-in-law, Naomi, prayed for her two daughters-in-law. All were widowed. Naomi prayed that her daughters-in-law would remarry and asked God to grant them “rest” in their marriage. The Hebrew word for rest is “security.” When Jesus said come to me all who are weary and I will give you rest, He is speaking of security. There is security in Jesus. There is no biblical security in same-sex marriage. Ichabod!
Fourteen U.S. cities have entered into a treaty with the World Economic Forum agreeing to limit meat, clothing, and travel for its citizens. Ichabod!
School districts are being accused of allowing gender transition teaching without parents’ approval. Ichabod!
Churches are allowing drag queens to be a part of their children’s ministry. Ichabod!
NASA and Harvard University are promoting aliens and UFO invasions. Ichabod!
Digital IDs, digital currency, social credit scores, censorship of Christians, globalism, the return of COVID mandates, the promotion and acceptance of euthanasia, depopulation — all Ichabod!
The Antichrist system is being established right before our eyes, and the world is cheering it on. Ichabod!
Does America Have a Christian Worldview?
I often get asked if I believe America is still a Christian nation. I respond by saying a better question is, what worldview does the average American have? Does the average American have morals, lifestyle, and an attitude reflecting biblical values? History proves the United States has a Christian heritage, but do we have a Christian worldview?
Today, our country openly embraces and celebrates immorality. The Biblical sins of Israel are widely accepted as normal in our country today. Thanks to Hollywood and video game designers, vulgarity, drunkenness, drug use, and promiscuity are foundational to entertainment. Our streets are filled with violence, greed, and corruption. Sports stadiums now include gambling facilities. Ichabod!
What Can We Do?
What do we do? What do you do? Get the Word out! We need to sound the warning as loud as we can.
Lifeway Research reveals that only 2% of pastors preach on end times; however, another survey said that in 2021, pastors were six times more likely to preach on eschatology than in 2020.
God has not left us. Like ancient Israel, we have rejected Him. The Holy Spirit still indwells in believers and still leads and convicts. The question is, are people generally open to the leading of the Spirit and willing to renew their love and obedience to the Lord?
Let’s be like John the Baptist and be a voice crying out in the wilderness because, like the people of his day, our world desperately needs to understand God’s love and hope!
