Ebenezer
The stone Samuel set up between Mizpah and Shen after God’s deliverance from the Philistines; he named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.” It commemorated the great Old Testament revival at Mizpah.
Lesson 2 · Course 63
How Then Shall We Study History?
How to study history through revival/awakening, Old Testament revival patterns (Mizpah, Asa, Josiah), and prayer — from Israel’s corporate return to the Lord to Jesus’ relationship with the Father.
At a glance
Summary
Lesson 2 asks how we should study history by looking at revival and awakening, Old Testament seasons of return to the Lord, and prayer. A remarkable difference between revivals and awakenings is not the framing to hold; the eternal human quest is to know and experience God, and revival can take a variety of faces. The stone of Ebenezer commemorated the great Old Testament revival at Mizpah. Asa did not lead five distinct seasons of revival, and Josiah did not first lead revival as an old man. Nothing of eternal value happens apart from prayer; prayer reflected Jesus’ relationship with the Father; self-surrender is critical in prayer; and the last thing Jesus did on the cross was pray.
Quiz 2: 10/10 (100%), 7m49s, attempt 101737 (cmid 1113). Essays Complete/Not graded.
Big ideas
What to teach and remember
- A remarkable difference between revivals and awakenings is not the framing to hold (False as stated).
- The eternal human quest is to know and experience God.
- Revival can take a variety of faces.
- The stone of Ebenezer commemorated the great Old Testament revival at Mizpah.
- Asa did NOT lead his people through five distinct seasons of revival.
- Josiah did NOT first lead his people in a revival emphasis when he was an old man.
- Nothing of eternal value happens apart from prayer.
- Prayer reflected Jesus’ relationship with the Father; self-surrender is a critical aspect of prayer; the last thing Jesus did on the cross was pray.
Key terms
People, places, and words that matter
Mizpah
Site of Old Testament revival when Samuel gathered Israel to return to the Lord with all their hearts: putting away foreign gods, mourning, confession, fasting, sacrifice, Samuel’s intercession, thunder against the Philistines, and the Ebenezer stone.
Revival / awakening
The claim that a remarkable difference exists between revivals and awakenings is False as framed. Revival can take a variety of faces; the eternal human quest is to know and experience God.
Asa
Did NOT lead his people through five distinct seasons of revival (quiz False).
Josiah
Did NOT first lead his people in a revival emphasis when he was an old man (quiz False).
Self-surrender in prayer
Jesus taught that one critical aspect of prayer is self-surrender — accepting the Father’s will (“Not My will, but Yours be done”), not controlling God.
Structure
Outline / timeline
- How then shall we study history? Through revival/awakening and prayer patterns
- Revivals and awakenings: remarkable difference claim is False as framed; eternal quest = know and experience God; revival can take a variety of faces
- Old Testament revival markers: Ebenezer commemorated Mizpah; Asa ≠ five distinct seasons; Josiah ≠ first revival as old man
- Mizpah revival: return with all hearts, put away foreign gods, mourn/confess/fast, Samuel’s lamb and intercession, thunder vs Philistines, Ebenezer stone
- Prayer: nothing eternal apart from prayer; OT prayer as conversation/relationship; Jesus’ prayer = living relationship, surrender, trust, intercession; last act on the cross was pray
Must remember
Facts to keep straight
| Quiz 2 | 100% (10/10), 1 attempt, 7m49s, cmid 1113, attempt 101737 |
|---|---|
| Revivals vs awakenings | A remarkable difference exists — False (not as framed) |
| Eternal human quest | To know and experience God (True) |
| Faces of revival | Revival can take a variety of faces (True) |
| Ebenezer / Mizpah | Ebenezer stone commemorated the great OT revival at Mizpah (True) |
| Asa | Did NOT lead five distinct seasons of revival (False) |
| Josiah | Did NOT first lead revival as an old man (False) |
| Prayer | Nothing of eternal value happens apart from prayer (True) |
| Jesus and prayer | Prayer reflected Jesus’ relationship with the Father; self-surrender critical; last thing on the cross was pray |
| Mizpah pattern | Repentance, confession, fasting, Samuel’s intercession, thunder vs Philistines, Ebenezer |
Compare
Side-by-side contrasts
Revivals vs awakenings
- Quiz: “A remarkable difference exists between revivals and awakenings” — False (not as framed)
- Hold instead: eternal human quest = know and experience God; revival can take a variety of faces
Asa and Josiah revival claims
- Asa led five distinct seasons of revival — False
- Josiah first led revival emphasis when he was an old man — False
Mizpah revival vs empty ritual
- Mizpah: return with all hearts, put away foreign gods, mourn, confess, fast
- Samuel’s sacrifice and continued intercession; God answered with thunder; Ebenezer = thankful remembrance
For the pulpit
Sermon hooks
- The eternal human quest is to know and experience God — and revival can wear many faces.
- Mizpah still preaches: repentance, confession, fasting, intercession, and an Ebenezer stone of remembrance.
- Nothing of eternal value happens apart from prayer.
- Jesus’ prayer was relationship with the Father — surrender, trust, and “Not My will, but Yours.”
- The last thing Jesus did on the cross was pray — private life with God shapes who we really are.
Quiz drill
Quiz drill / review · open to practice · 10 items
Quiz score: 100% · 1 attempt
1. A remarkable difference exists between revivals and awakenings.
FalseRemarkable difference between revivals and awakenings = False (not as framed).
2. The eternal human quest is to know and experience God.
TrueEternal human quest = know and experience God.
3. Revival can take a variety of faces.
TrueRevival can take a variety of faces.
4. The stone of Ebenezer commemorated the great Old Testament revival at Mizpah.
TrueEbenezer stone commemorated revival at Mizpah.
5. Asa led his people through five distinct seasons of revival.
FalseAsa did NOT lead five distinct seasons of revival.
6. Josiah first led his people in a revival emphasis when he was an old man.
FalseJosiah did NOT first lead revival as an old man.
7. Nothing of eternal value happens apart from prayer.
TrueNothing of eternal value happens apart from prayer.
8. Prayer reflected Jesus' relationship with the Father.
TruePrayer reflected Jesus’ relationship with the Father.
9. Jesus taught us that one critical aspect of prayer is self-surrender.
TrueSelf-surrender is a critical aspect of prayer.
10. The last thing Jesus did on the cross was pray.
TrueThe last thing Jesus did on the cross was pray.
Essay themes
If you preach or review
Mizpah revival
The revival at Mizpah began when Samuel gathered Israel to return to the Lord with all their hearts. The people put away their foreign gods, mourned, confessed, and fasted, showing genuine repentance. Samuel offered a lamb and cried out to God for them. When the Philistines came to attack, Israel was afraid, but Samuel kept praying and interceding. God answered with a mighty thunder and threw the Philistines into confusion, giving Israel victory. Samuel then set up a stone between Mizpah and Shen and named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.” The revival therefore joined repentance, confession, prayer, sacrifice, and thankful remembrance of God’s deliverance.
OT prayer
In the Old Testament, prayer was a real conversation and relationship with God, beginning with Adam and Eve and continuing through people such as Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Joshua, David, Ezra, and Nehemiah. People called on the Lord, built altars, offered sacrifices, made vows, worshiped, confessed sin, sought forgiveness and purity, and asked for guidance and help. Prayer was also corporate, as Israel prayed and repented together, and it included intercession for others and for the nation. The Old Testament shows that prayer could change how people faced circumstances and opposition, but its deepest purpose was spiritual: intimacy with God, pardon, holiness, and dependence on his promises and will.
Jesus and prayer
Jesus teaches me that prayer must be a living relationship with the Father, not just words. He made time to pray alone, prayed with humility and earnestness, and accepted the Father’s will: “Not My will, but Yours be done.” His prayers show surrender, trust, intercession, thanksgiving, and compassion—even forgiveness for those who crucified him. He prayed in both ordinary ministry and deep suffering, so prayer helps us discover and follow God’s will rather than trying to control God. Jesus also teaches that prayer should be persistent and sincere, and that a believer’s private life with God shapes the person he or she really is.