Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen, and called its name Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.” (1 Samuel 7:12)

Here I Raise My Ebenezer

The history of the nation of Israel and the Philistines was a time of perpetual conflict. God had told the first settlers of Canaan to destroy all of the people of the land, but they were unwilling. During the period of the Judges, Israel was constantly plagued with the nations around them. In the final days of Eli, the Philistines captured the ark of God. After seven months, the Philistines were plagued by God and returned the ark to Israel. It remained at Kirjath Jearim for twenty years.

Samuel began to judge the people after the death of Eli. He commanded the people to put away their pagan gods, such as Baal and the Ashtoreths. Gathering Israel at Mizpah, Samuel prayed to the Lord to forgive the sins of the people as they repented. When the Philistines heard of Israel gathering at Mizpah, the lords of the Philistines came to make war. The people cried out to Samuel to save them. Samuel made a sacrifice before the Lord, and the Lord answered. As the Philistines drew near, God thundered with a loud thunder that so confused the Philistines that they were overcome. The men of Israel defeated the Philistines and subdued them, so they did not come anymore into the territory of Israel. As long as Samuel lived, the hand of the Lord was against the Philistines.

After the great victory over the Philistines, Samuel took a stone, set it up between Mizpah and Shen, and called it Ebenezer. The great prophet and judge said, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.” Ebenezer means “Stone of Help.” As a memorial stone, Ebenezer reminded the people of the power of God to deliver them from the Philistines. This was not the first memorial given by God. The Passover feast was given to remind the people of their deliverance from bondage. In giving the Ten Commandments, God begins by reminding Israel that He brought them out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Ebenezer was a testimony to the deliverance by the power of God.

There is an Ebenezer for the people of God that remains. It is not a stone somewhere in the desert or a place on Earth where men can assemble. The Stone of Help is Jesus Christ, the Ebenezer for God’s people. In the days of Samuel, the Philistines did not come up against Israel because God protected them. The Lord promised to protect them, and Ebenezer reminded them of His grace. Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He is the Great Shepherd who will guide His people and protect them. Satan has no power against those who trust in the spiritual Ebenezer.

The Lord’s Supper is an Ebenezer reminding the people of God of the blessings of the Father to send His only begotten Son. It is a weekly remembrance feast showing God’s grace and mercy to forgive the sins of disobedient people. As Samuel put up the stone to remind Israel of God’s providence and care, the supper of the Lord reminds the faithful of the enduring love of God to care for His people. Robert Robinson writes, “Here I raise my Ebenezer, hither by thy help I’ve come. And I hope by thy good pleasure, safely to arrive at home. Jesus sought me when a stranger, wandering from the fold of God. He to rescue me from danger, interposed His precious blood.” (O Thou Fount Of Every Blessing; 1758)