So he said to them, “Why do you do such things? For I hear of your evil dealings from all the people. No, my sons! For it is not a good report that I hear. You make the Lord’s people transgress.
1 Samuel 2:23-24 NKJV
The departure of God’s glory does not happen instantly. It is a progression that a man does not take seriously. It begins subtly—over time—through a pattern of rebellion, unrighteousness, and the rejection of or turning a deaf ear to God’s warnings. The loss of glory in Israel did not begin when Phinehas’s wife gave birth to Ichabod. Nor did it begin on the battlefield. It started earlier, with the sin of the priests.
Hophni and Phinehas, sons of Eli, were priests set apart to serve the Lord. Their role was to lead people into God’s presence. Yet they defiled their calling. Scripture records that they engaged in immorality and treated the sacrifices of God with contempt. These were not just sins of ignorance—they were brazen acts of rebellion.
They were meant to represent God’s holiness. Instead, they led people deeper into iniquity. And though God extended grace, sending multiple warnings and even raising up Samuel to speak, these men refused to repent. There was significant progression in their disobedience to God’s standard. They turned a deaf ear to the warnings and statutes of God
This same pattern plays out today. God is still merciful. He continues to raise voices—prophets, preachers, and the still small voice within—calling us to repentance. He pleads with us to turn, promising seasons of refreshing if we do. But when we ignore these warnings, judgment follows. The glory begins to lift.
The tragedy is not just in the individual’s fall but in the impact it has on an entire people. Israel’s leaders failed, and their failure prepared the ground for defeat and disgrace.
In conclusion, God sends His warnings to us every day. What is our response? Have we turned a deaf ear to Him? For us not to end up in destruction, we must take heed to the sayings of the Spirit.
Living It Out
The departure of God’s glory does not happen overnight—it begins in the heart, through repeated compromise and a refusal to heed His voice. Today, ask yourself: Have I been ignoring God’s gentle warnings? Have I grown comfortable with what grieves His Spirit?
Take time to seek Him afresh. Allow the Holy Spirit to search your heart and reveal any area where obedience has waned. Repent sincerely, and return to the path of holiness. God is merciful and ready to restore. His desire is not to depart from you, but to dwell richly within you.
Don’t wait for an Ichabod moment. Choose today to honour His presence. Let your life reflect His glory—not just in word, but in purity, humility, and faithful obedience.
May your testimony be one of restoration, not departure. Let His glory remain.