Dr. David Jeremiah Presents
Living inthe Ageof Signs
Online Destination
Living in the Age of Signs
Online Destination
Sign 2
Bible Dads: Elkanah
Today’s Audio Devotion:
Bible Dads: Elkanah
Elkanah and Hannah were blessed with a son in answer to Hannah’s prayers. When we read the story in the first two chapters of 1 Samuel, we usually focus on Hannah. But Elkanah is described as a man who faithfully traveled to the tabernacle in Shiloh to worship and sacrifice to the Lord (1 Samuel 1:3). He loved Hannah (1:5) and sought to comfort and encourage her (1:8). And the day came when Elkanah and Hannah took their son, Samuel, and dedicated him to God’s service in Shiloh. Samuel became a champion for his people and a hero in the Bible.
It's important to dedicate our children to the Lord. Some people do that in a public worship service. It’s done in various ways in different churches and denominations. But the central truth is that God blesses a child whose dad is devoted to the Lord and gives Him all he has, including his children.
Elkanah’s home wasn’t perfect (1 Samuel 1:1-6), but Elkanah served a perfect God. When we ask the Lord to have His way with our youngsters, they will be blessed.
God is the one who gives children; they belong to Him.
Coty Pinckney
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Some 2,600 years ago, God gave King Nebuchadnezzar a dream. In this dream, the king saw a five–part statue made of five different metals (see Daniel 2). Each section represented an empire, beginning with Nebuchadnezzar's Babylon. Four of these empires have already risen and fallen in history—a clear fulfillment of Daniel's prophetic interpretation. The fifth and final empire indicates a future Europe—a ten nation coalition that will unite under the Antichrist's rule.
You can read about the King's dream and Daniel's interpretation in Daniel 2, but let's take a quick visual look at what you will find:
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King Nebuchadnezzar's Babylon
Daniel's words to the king are clear. "You are this head of gold" (Daniel 2:37–38).
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Medo–Persian Empire
The Medo–Persian Empire conquered Babylon in 539 BC and remained in power for approximately two hundred years (Daniel 5:28).
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Grecian Empire
Greece's Empire succeeded the Medo–Persians (Daniel 8:21).
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Roman Empire
When the Grecian empire was conquered by Rome, all the lands and peoples of the previous kingdoms were assimilated into the Roman Empire through the strengths of the "iron legions of Rome" (Daniel 2:40).
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Future European Coalition
This empire has not yet risen. Daniel foretells a time when the Roman Empire—Europe—will consist of ten kingdoms or leaders. The future Roman Empire will be present on the earth when God sets up His earthly kingdom (Daniel 2:44).