In this chapter, the Ark of God is returned to the people of Israel, and the Philistines are convinced that the plagues that ravaged their people were no coincidence. The chapter begins, “ The Ark of the Lord remained in Philistine territory seven months in all. Then the Philistines called in their priests and diviners and asked them, “What should we do about the Ark of the Lord? Tell us how to return it to its own land.” Send the Ark of the God of Israel back, along with a gift,” they were told. “Send a guilt offering so the plague will stop. Then, if the plague doesn’t stop, you will know that God didn’t send the glague after all.” “What sort of guilt offering should we send?” they asked. And they were told, “Since the plague has struck both you and our five rulers, make five gold tumors and five gold rats, just like those that have ravaged your land. Make these things to show honor to the God of Israel. Perhaps then he will stop afflicting you, your gods, and your land.” (1 Samuel 6:1-5)
At this point, the high officials told them not to be stubborn like Pharaoh and the Egyptians when they wouldn’t let Israel go until God bombarded them with plagues. They instructed them to build a new cart to carry the Ark of the Lord, and to find two cows to transport it. “Put the Ark of the Lord on the cart, and beside it place a chest containing the gold rats and gold tumors. Then let the cows go wherever they want. If they cross the border of our land and go to Beth-shemesh, we will know it was the Lord who brought this great disaster upon us. If they don’t, we will know that the plague was simply a coincidence and was not sent by the Lord at all.” (1 Samuel 6:8-9)
The instructions were followed as stated by the officials, and the cows traveled straight down the road, right into Beth-shemesh. “The people of Beth-shemesh were harvesting wheat in the valley, and when they saw the Ark, they were overjoyed! The cart came into the field of a man named Joshua and stopped beside a large rock. So the people broke up the wood of the cart for a fire and killed the cows and sacrificed them to the Lord as a burnt offering. Several men of the tribe of Levi lifted the Ark of the Lord and the chest containing the gold rats and gold tumors from the cart and placed them on the large rock. Many burnt offerings and sacrifices were offered to the Lord that day by the people of Beth-shemesh. The five Philistine rulers watched all this and then returned to Ekron that same day.” (1 Samuel 6:13-16)
The chapter ends with the Lord killing 70 men from Beth-shemesh for looking into the Ark of the Lord. (Sounds like a scene from the classic movie, Raiders of the Lost Ark, with Harrison Ford.)
As a result, the people of Beth-shemesh freaked out and sent messengers to the people of Kiriath-jearim, asking them to come get it.
Side note: It’s interesting that there aren't any notations about the Philistines touching or looking into the Ark. Not knowing God’s power, you would think the Philistines would be curious and engaging in some exploration of the Ark. Just thinking aloud.
Lord, thank you for your Word today! Help us never mistake our life journey as a series of coincidences. We love you!
May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
….AND MAY WE ALL PRACTICE THIS WITH ONE ANOTHER.
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