The letters PC are the abbreviation for Personal Computer but it is also recently became the abbreviation for the words ‘Politically Correct’. Someone who is being ‘politically correct’, believes that language and actions that could be offensive to others, especially those relating to sex, gender, and race, should be avoided.
In a word, it is compromise of free speech, so as not to cause hurt feelings of the carnal flesh.
But what is correct?
What is right?
Has being ‘Politically Correct’ as far as the worlds standards are concerned, caused Ichabod in the Body of Messiah?
The term Ichabod is found in two places in the Bible,
1 Samuel 4:21 and 14:3.
Ichabod was a person, he was the son of Phinehas and the grandson of Eli, the priest of the Lord in Shiloh.
Then she named the child Ichabod, saying, “The glory has departed from Israel!”or “Where is the glory?” because the ark of God had been captured by the Philistines and because of her father-in-law and her husband. 1 Sam. 4:21 for she said, “Israel’s glory is gone.”
Strongs # 350 I-kabod: Ichabod
Original Word: אִי־כָבוֹד Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine Transliteration: Iy-kabowd Pronunciation: ee-kah-BOHD Phonetic Spelling: (ee-kaw-bode’) KJV: I-chabod NASB: Ichabod, Ichabod’s Word Origin: [fromH336 (אִי – Island)
i.e. Inglorious; Ikabod, a son of Phineas — I-chabod.
The name Ichabod is framed as a lament, an anguished cry that the visible, covenantal shekinah glory of the LORD has withdrawn.
It signals crisis:
divine honor eclipsed,
spiritual vitality drained,
and national destiny imperiled.
Whenever the name surfaces, it functions as a divine signpost, warning of the consequences of unfaithfulness and the urgency of restored worship.
This is very serious, especially if any of these attributes are reflected in the Body of Messiah today.
In 1 Samuel 4 we read that the historical setting was the turbulent transition from the period of the judges to the rise of kingship in Israel. Eli’s priestly house had grown negligent and corrupt, and Israel attempted to use the Ark like a ‘good luck charm’ in battle against the Philistines. The defeat at Ebenezer, the death of Eli’s sons, and the capture of the Ark of the Covenant preceded a nationwide shock. It was Phinehas’ widowed wife who memorialized that moment into her son’s identity as she died while giving birth to him.
About forty years later, Ichabod’s brother Ahitub served as high priest, and Ichabod himself is remembered only in the genealogical scripture of 1 Samuel 14:3. The fact that there is a reference to him, is a reminder that the events which occurred at the time of his birth had not been quickly repaired; the nation was still having to deal with the consequences of their previous failures.
1 Samuel 4:21 highlights birth in the midst of tragedy;
the name Ichabod embodies
the dread of the nation realizing that God’s favor and presence had left.
1 Samuel 14:3 is a genealogical anchor, the mention of it, preserves the memory of the prior crisis, even as new challenges arise under Saul’s reign.
There were also spiritual implications connected to these events: First, regarding the Holiness of God’s Presence. The capture of the Ark of the Covenant reveals that religious objects cannot take the place of sincere obedience. The glory of the Lord will not and cannot be manipulated.
Secondly, there is the need for Covenant accountability because the entire covenant community was put in danger due to leadership failures in the priesthood; that collective responsibility is encapsulated in the name Ichabod.
Thirdly, although “the glory has departed,” the account moves toward restoration. In 1 Samuel 6–7, we read of the return of the Ark, Samuel and his prophetic ministry, and finally David’s desire to build a house for the LORD.
There is hope beyond judgement and the heart-rending cry of Ichabod is not our Heavenly Father’s last word.
Ezekiel 10 depicts another departure of glory from a defiled sanctuary, linking priestly corruption with national exile. However, Ezekiel 43 and Haggai 2:7–9 anticipate a future, and a greater in-dwelling of glory. These prophetic images come together in John 1:14 when “The Word became flesh and tabernacled among us. We have seen His glory…” The Messiah Who came in the flesh, reversed the Ichabod of the past, by bringing our Heavenly Father’s glorious presence to sinners in grace and truth. Finally in Revelation 21:3–23 Johns’ vision describes the future where “the glory of God illuminates” the heavenly city and Ichabod will never happen again.
There are always lessons for us today, things we can apply to our lives from the accounts we read, and self-examination is a must. Congregations and local assemblies must guard against a showy outward posture, while inward holiness is being neglected. Having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof. Pastors and all those in leadership roles have a solemn and serious responsibility to be models of reverence and integrity; the warning from Ichabod is that an entire fellowship can suffer, if they fail in their god-given roles and duties.
When Israel’s sin obscured the Father’s manifested glory, Ichabod was the result proving that we should never presume on His divine presence. The name Ichabod, as both a caution and a catalyst echoes consistently through Scripture, highlighting the horrible reality of life without the presence of the Father’s glory, while directing our focus to the promised return in the Messiah. The heartfelt cry “Where is the glory?” is answered at the cross and empty tomb, where the Glory of our Heavenly Father radiates from the face of Messiah Jesus Christ/Yeshua haMashiach and will never depart from His redeemed people.
What is righteousness? As disciples we are to boldly proclaim the good news of righteousness and it seems to be one of the most difficult things for us to do, not because we don’t want to, but because we don’t actually know the good news of righteousness; and instead of telling His truth we end up expressing our own opinions.
David said he had proclaimed the good news of righteousness in the assembly Ps. 40:8-10. He was human like us, a mortal man and subject to temptations and sin. So how did he know what is right? He writes that he didn’t conceal Gods kindness and truth, but how did he know that what he ‘revealed’ was the truth and kindness of God? We looked at David having a heart after God last post, and the key to his life was that in his innermost being, his spirit, he delighted in doing Gods’ pleasure and Gods’ Word was in his innermost heart. Sometimes our outward actions in the flesh, are not reflecting the innermost being of our spirit and what we really think and believe. To our minds, truth is relative, and an elusive concept which has formed from our own experiences; and is the reason why we must renew our minds with His Word.
Even scripturally based ideas can turn into what we consider ‘truth’ as an individual. This is why it’s difficult to find agreement within Christian groups/denominations, because we interpret Gods’ truth through our own filters of experience; and this puts us at a distance from other believers.
The Word of God is absolute Truth, it’s our primary and only source of authority. Anything outside, underneath, on top, or beside scripture, is not truth. Words in books, even if they are from famous individuals, are just peoples ideas, and we need to ask the hard question; are we willing to obey the word of God without first sifting it through our experiences thoughts and opinions? Will we delight only in His pleasure, hiding not His kindness and truth; even when the pressures of the worlds opinions and societies standards of being politically correct have compromised Gods Truth?
Alternate lifestyles have become more than blurred, they are now in plain view, with blatant disregard for the Biblical guidelines and directions given in scripture for living a godly life. These options and choices have crept into so called Christian assemblies and within certain denominations, and they claim to be truth. Anything contrary to the words of our Heavenly Father, His Messiah Jesus/Yeshua and His Holy Spirit, is not truth.
The continual eating away of false doctrine and outright apostasy in backslidden attitudes and compromised behavior, has led to Ichabod, the glory has departed from many. The presence of our Fathers Holy Spirit is no longer evident and has been replaced by another spirit, which is anti messiah, anti the truth of the Word of God.
Being politically correct and not wanting to hurt the feelings of certain groups has led to a watering down of the truth and with it the loss of any voice of authority. This has lead to no visible signs, wonders and miracles which are supposed to follow them that believe after they preach the gospel. When we don’t preach truth, Gods Truth, there is no manifested presence; just fleshly, carnal, religious acts, trapped in doctrinal bondage. Let’s be those bold as lions believers, disciples who are not afraid of men’s opinions and who obey our Heavenly Father and the truth of His Word; be doers of His Word, just as the first disciples were. We are the righteousness of God in Christ, our righteousness is of Him; and we are in right standing before Him when the blood of Messiah covers us and we are filled with His spirit. When all is said and done…. only our Heavenly Father is right. Let’s not be among those who allow political correctness to cause Ichabod from our lives, our personal sanctuaries and our congregations.
Shalom, shalom mishpachah/family
and cheverim/friends!
It’s all about Life and Relationship,
NOT Religion.
You are greatly loved and precious in His sight.
NOT SURE?
YOU CAN BE..
SAY THE FOLLOWING FROM YOUR HEART RIGHT NOW…
Heavenly Father I come to you in the Name of Jesus/Yeshua asking for forgiveness of my sins for which I am truly sorry. I repent of them all and turn away from my past.
I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that Jesus/Yeshua is your Son and that He died on the cross at calvary to pay the price for my sin, so that I might be forgiven and have eternal life in the kingdom of Heaven. Father I believe that Jesus/Yeshua rose from the dead and I ask you to come into my life right now and be my personal Savior and Lord and I will worship you all the days of my life. Because your word is truth I say that I am now forgiven and born again and by faith I am washed clean with the blood of Jesus/Yeshua. Thank you that you have accepted me into your family in Jesus’/Yeshua’s name. Amen.
