19 His daughter-in-law, the wife of Phinehas, was pregnant and near the time of delivery. When she heard the news that the ark of God had been captured and that her father-in-law and her husband were dead, she went into labor and gave birth, but was overcome by her labor pains. 20 As she was dying, the women attending her said, “Don’t despair; you have given birth to a son.” But she did not respond or pay any attention.
21 She named the boy Ichabod, saying, “The Glory has departed from Israel”—because of the capture of the ark of God and the deaths of her father-in-law and her husband. 22 She said, “The Glory has departed from Israel, for the ark of God has been captured.”
Israel was in spiritual decline and darkness. Phinehas was killed because of his evil and desecration of the Tabernacle. This was supposed to be a joyous time, but there was terror of God leaving his people. Sin was dominating the lives of the people at this time. When sin dominates our life, even God given joys are empty and lost. Does sin dominate your life? Has the joy left? Are you empty? Stop. Take time to think about what you are doing. Go into a private space with God and talk with him. He is waiting with open arms to walk through life with you and bring joy back into your heart.
