1 Samuel 6:7
The Return of the Ark
1 Samuel 6:7
"Then the people of Beth Shemesh said, 'Who can stand in the presence of the Lord, this holy God? To whom shall the ark go up from us?' "
In this verse, the people of Beth Shemesh are reacting to the presence of the Ark of the Covenant, which had been returned to them by the Philistines. The Ark, which represented the glory and power of God, had been captured by the Philistines in a previous battle, but God had afflicted them with tumors and other disasters, prompting them to return it to the Israelites.
The Fear of the People
The people of Beth Shemesh are overwhelmed with fear and awe at the presence of the Ark. They recognize that they are not worthy to be in the presence of the holy God, and they ask rhetorically, "Who can stand in the presence of the Lord, this holy God?" This question highlights the sense of reverence and fear that the people have for God's holiness.
The Question of the Ark's Destination
The people of Beth Shemesh also ask, "To whom shall the ark go up from us?" This question indicates that they are uncertain about what to do with the Ark, and are hesitant to take responsibility for it. They seem to be aware that the Ark is not just a physical object, but a symbol of God's presence and power, and they are unsure if they are worthy to be its custodians.
The Significance of the Verse
This verse highlights the importance of recognizing God's holiness and power. The people of Beth Shemesh are acknowledging that they are not worthy to be in God's presence, and are unsure about how to respond to the return of the Ark. This attitude of reverence and humility is an important aspect of our relationship with God, and reminds us of the importance of approaching Him with a sense of awe and respect.
Reflection
As we reflect on this verse, we are reminded of the importance of recognizing God's holiness and power. We are called to approach Him with humility and reverence, acknowledging that we are not worthy to be in His presence. May we, like the people of Beth Shemesh, be overwhelmed with a sense of awe and wonder at the presence of God, and may we respond with humility and reverence to His holiness.
