Bible Verse Synopsis 5-21-25
1st Samuel 6:
The Ark was with the Philistines for 7 months. They seek to send it away as its power has done ill will to them. They recognize the power here but fail to recognize God. The evidence was right in front of them, yet they did nothing to see it. Are our eyes blind to the wonders of God as well?
The Philistines still believe they need a sacrifice to be saved from the God of Israel. Talking to the Priests of Dagon, the Philistine leaders learn something that we would be wise to see. Verse 6 - “Wherefore then do you harden your hearts, as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? When He had wrought wrongfully among them. Did they not let the people go, and they departed?” This is reference to Moses’s time and should serve a lesson. Do not harden your heart to the Lord. With a softened heart, the Lord will be able to find His way in and begin our transformation. We don’t become like God overnight, but through His son, we can be free from our sins. Ignoring the messaging from God as Pharaoh did will lead to our demise. Both physically and spiritually. Is your heart open to receiving the Lord or are you shut off to His love?
The Priests gave instructions to the Philistines and they followed them. They had faith in what their own priests told them, yet couldn’t have faith in the Ark and in the God of Israel? How stubborn is man! Verse 12- “And the cows took the straight way…”. When the cattle drove themselves in the direct path to Beth-shemesh, they knew it was according to the God of Israel. Still they deny that He is God. Lord, open our eyes to see what you wish us to see. Help guide our eyes and our minds to your purpose.
It was harvest in Beth-shemesh and the men there stopped immediately and gave reverence to God via the Ark. It was very rare for the Ark to be outside the Holy of Holies (as we know from Exodus and Leviticus). These men spent sacrifices upon a great stone to the Ark and to God. They acted immediately and with great joy! Verse 13 - “… and they lifted up their eyes, and saw the Ark, and rejoiced to see it.” Do we follow this example and rejoice when He is among us? P.S. He always is.
These men looked inside the Ark with their curiosity. All men are curious, but the Ark was not to be handled by man except the Priests, chosen for the duty by God. This is a similar act to that of Adam and Eve. Curiosity got the better of these men as well. Verse 19 - “And He smote the men of Beth-shemesh, because they had looked into the Ark of the Lord….” God exposes our weaknesses in many ways over and over. Pray for strength to avoid these weaknesses. Have strength through the Lord to overcome our sorrows and seek the joy that is Christ. What are you looking for that is above what you already have? Did you know He will give it to you when the time is right? Leave the lid on the Ark and believe in spite of the lack of proof.
These men, after making their mistakes and bearing the consequences, want to move the Ark away from them as well. “Who is able to stand before this Holy LORD God? And to whom shall He go up from us?” - Verse 20. They didn’t know what to do with the Ark now that they had it either. Maybe some praise to God and respect for the Ark as His holy symbol. They are just like the Philistines here and are no better than them. What would you do with the Ark? One day you will have the chance to answer that question.