June 23, 2025
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in 1 Samuel and Mark? Here’s today’s reading:
1 Samuel 6 (NIV)
The Ark Returned to Israel
1 When the ark of the Lord had been in Philistine territory seven months, 2 the Philistines called for the priests and the diviners and said, “What shall we do with the ark of the Lord? Tell us how we should send it back to its place.”…..Continue Reading
I love portions of scripture like this where unbelievers recognize the glory and work of God. It is even interesting that these Philistines know about God’s work amongst the Egyptians. And yet they don’t embrace this God and throw away their own. It was mostly based in the thought that gods were geographical and cultural, but the evidence put before them is far more compelling than that. And how appropriate for the first Israelites to realize the return of the ark to praise God for it, but He brought it back all on His own. Amazing! And yet how foolish the people are to look inside. Curiosity can be a dangerous thing when it comes to the holy things of God. And to reenforce that holiness, God has to put the seventy to death. How balanced we need to be in the fear and familiarity that we have with God.
The Philistines recognize the work of God here and formulate a plan to get rid of the ark and try to make right their choice to take it in the first place. They clearly respect this God of Israel but still not enough to serve Him instead of their gods. God is made so evident again in the return of the ark, these cows walk staright and narrow right back to where they are supposed to go never even looking to the right or the left. And while the Israelites start off right when they see the ark return by praise, worship, and burnt offerings; they quickly slip back into disobedience mishandling the ark. After the deaths of 70 men you would hope that they would wise up but instead their reaction is like so many even still today that they want to distance themselves from God and the ark rather than see their faults, repent, and get right before God.
1 Samuel 6
1 Samuel 6
1 Samuel 6
The Ark of God contained the Ten Commandments, the golden pot, and Aaron`s rod that budded. These were holy because God said they were Holy. On and above the Ark was the Mercy Seat. No one was to look into the Ark, or they would be killed. Even touching it one would be killed for God is a Holy God. Only the priests were to carry it with staves. His Holiness should never be taken for granted even though He loves us. God bless you all.
The Israelites responded correctly at first with worship, but then treat the Ark as a familiar thing and not as holy. Their response isn’t humble acceptance, but rather “send It away!”
1 Samuel 5-6