AND THAT'S THE WAY IT WAS!

The Philistines, long-time enemies of the Israelites, settled along the southeastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, but warlike, they had established themselves in five of the cities in southwest Canaan and were constantly pressing inland against the Israelites.  Throughout this time, the Philistines were Israel's major enemy.


Now, the Israelites put much store in the holding of their Ark of the Covenant, which was given by God to Moses, and it was supposed to be kept in Israelites' Most Holy Place, a sacred part of the Tabernacle, or Temple.  But as their wars became costly, it was decided to take the Ark and carry it to war with them, hoping that the Ark would bring them victories, sadly mistaking the Ark for a good-luck charm.  But, a symbol of God does not guarantee God's presence and power. And the Ark was captured by their enemies.


The slaughter was very great; Israel lost thirty thousand  soldiers.  The Ark of God was captured and Eli's  sons were killed, the sons of the man whom God had chosen to be Israel's Judge.


Now the Philistines had seen how the Ark of the Israelites created havoc and misery among the people wherever it was taken.  One Philistine city after another tried to pass it along.  After the Ark had been among Philistine cities for seven months, the priests of Philistia decided to send it back to its rightful place.  They put it in a new cart, filled it full of treasure, brought two new cow to pull it, and send it on its way.  They warned their men, "Keep watching it so nothing happens to it.  For if it goes up to its own country, then the lord has brought this great disaster on us.  But if it does not, then we will know that it was not his hand that struck us."  And the cows went straight to the rightful place of the Ark.


So many not familiar with the Lord, had no understanding of His people and His Beliefs.  The Study adds: "The Philistines acknowledged the existence of the Hebrew God, but only as one of many deities whose favor they sought.  Thinking of God in this way made it easy for them to ignore God's demand that people worship Him alone.  Many people "worship" God this way.  They see God as just one ingredient in a successful life.  But God is far more than an ingredient--He is the source of life itself."


When the Ark was returned, the people just set the Ark on a rock in someone's field,, and God struck down some of the men. Study/ "God could not allow the people to think they could use his power for their own ends., or permit them to disregard His warnings and come into His presence lightly.  Overlooking their sin would encourage the whole nation of Israel to ignore God."


Since that time, of course, we have come to know Jesus Christ, who did not come to us until many, many years after these incidents. God tried year after year, man after man, and even kings to help the people to find and accept him.  God finally had to send himself, in the form of His Son, Jesus.


And Hurrah to that!


Hoping you feel that way, too!


Jo INMN