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- What attributes of God’s character does this passage reveal?
- How does the passage point to Jesus?
- How should the truth of this passage change me?
- How do the events of today’s reading help you better understand the grand narrative of Scripture?
1 Sam. 4-5
The Ark of the Covenant represented God’s presence with His people, the nation of Israel. However it was just that – a representation. Unfortunately, the Israelites elevated the representation above what it represented. I like how the CSB translates what they said when they decided to bring the Ark to the battle. They said, “Then it will go with us and save us from our enemies.” (1 Sam. 4:3b). That word, “it”, could also be, “he”, but I think the CSB nailed their hearts with their word choice. The Israelites put their faith in a mere box. I also find the Philistines’ response very appropriate. When they discovered the Ark’s presence they cried, “A god has entered their camp!” (1 Sam. 4:7a). Not God, but a god. Which is what it seems the Ark had become for the Israelites.
Another interesting aspect to this is that, while the presence of the Ark did not have the desired effect for the Israeli army, it had obvious negative effects for the Philistines who took possession of it. Dagon quite literally lost his head over it. As a representation of God’s presence in this story, then, the Ark shows us two things. One is that God will reveal Himself as holy in the presence of those who do not acknowledge Him as God. The other is that God’s presence is not wrapped up in any specific object. Regardless of where the Ark was, God was clearly not with His faithless people at that time.
1 Sam. 6-7
When the ark of the LORD returned to Israel, the people who received it rejoiced, offering sacrifices to God. But they still failed to honor God and His holiness. Seventy of them died as a result of their flippant insolence. Then they understood and said, “Who is able to stand in the presence of the LORD this holy God?” (From 1 Sam. 6:20). The answer to that question came twenty years later when, “the whole house of Israel longed for the LORD.” (1 Sam. 7:2b). They returned to God with a whole heart, disposing of their no-gods and worshipping the LORD alone. The result? God’s presence returned to His people, giving them victory over their enemy even without the presence of the Ark. No props necessary, only surrendered hearts. The props are just there to remind us.