1 Samuel 6-7: The Ark of God and the Victory of God
The Return of the Ark
In 1 Samuel 6, we read about the return of the Ark of God to Israel after it was captured by the Philistines. The Ark, which represented God's presence among His people, had been taken by the Philistines after the Israelites' defeat at Aphek (1 Samuel 4). However, God did not abandon His people, and He worked wonders to bring back the Ark to its rightful place.
The Cattle Lead the Way
The Philistines, realizing that the Ark was a sacred object, decided to return it to Israel. They placed the Ark on a new cart, yoked to two milch cows that had never been yoked before. The cows, seemingly guided by God, took a direct route to Beth-shemesh, a city in Israel. The people of Beth-shemesh rejoiced at the return of the Ark, but their joy was short-lived.
A Grave Mistake
The people of Beth-shemesh, in their excitement, looked into the Ark, which was forbidden (Numbers 4:5, 20). As a result, God struck down 50,070 men, and the people mourned their loss. The men of Beth-shemesh sent the Ark to Kiriath-jearim, where it remained for 20 years.
The Repentance of Israel
In 1 Samuel 7, we read about the repentance of Israel and their cry to God for deliverance. Samuel, now an old man, urged the people to return to God and to put away their idols. The people responded by gathering at Mizpah, where Samuel interceded on their behalf.
The Victory of God
As the Philistines approached, Samuel cried out to God, and God responded by sending a loud thunder that confused the Philistines. The Israelites, led by Samuel, then attacked the Philistines and defeated them. The Philistines, who had been oppressing Israel for so long, were finally defeated.
Conclusion
The stories of 1 Samuel 6-7 teach us about the power and presence of God. Despite the mistakes of humanity, God is faithful and willing to intervene on our behalf. He is a God of deliverance and victory, and He desires a personal relationship with each of us. May we, like Samuel, cry out to God in repentance and faith, trusting in His power to deliver us from our enemies.
