When the people came into the camp, the elders of Israel said, "Why has the Lord defeated us today before the Philistines? Let us take to ourselves from Shiloh the ark of the covenant of the Lord, that it may come among us and deliver us from the power of our enemies." (verse 3)
Message: The Ark of the Covenant Captured
Time: This book is a biography of Samuel's life and career up to his death. It took place over a period of about 110 years, stretching from the closing days of the judges, when Samuel was born (ca. 1120 BC) through the death of Saul (1011 BC).
What the Lord is Saying: The Philistines and Israel are in battle at Aphek. 4,000 Israelites lost their lives on the battlefield (v. 2). The elders of Israel wonder why the Lord has allowed Israel to be defeated by the Philistines (v. 3). The respond by taking the ark of the covenant from Shiloh thinking it will help them defeat their enemies (v. 3). Hophni and Phinehas were there with the ark and the people went there to get it and bring it back (v. 4).
Arriving back at the camp, all the people shouted when the ark arrived (v. 5). The Philistines wondered what the noise meant, but then they realized the ark had arrived (v. 6). Now the Philistines were afraid thinking God had arrived in the camp (v. 7). They spoke "Woe to us!" And they spoke as if this represented gods because multiple gods is all they knew and guessed the ark represented multiple gods (v. 8). And then the Philistines encourage one another to defeat the Hebrews lest they become slaves to them (v. 9). Interesting how the writer of this book extolls the behavior somewhat of these Philistines, helping the reader understand the victory or mindset of the Philistines. It says 30,000 foot soldiers of Israel now perished and the ark of the covenant was taken and Hophni and Phinehas died (v. 10-11).
This is an interesting passage that does not record victory by the Israel but instead successive defeats, even after the people bring the ark into their midst.
In verse 3, the Israelites believe that God has allowed Philistines to defeat Israel. God is sovereign meaning to me that he works all things out according to the counsel of His will. But in response to this, the people believe they can take the ark, bring it to them and they will be safe. In Joshua 6, the ark is used in leading up to the battle at Jericho, but at the direction of the Lord. Here, Israel simply thinks they can grab the ark, bring it to them and they will be safe. But it doesn't work out like that.
Life is not as easy as 1-2-3 and going with the formula and all works out. And yet we try. We hate to suffer and hate when bad things happen. I was speaking to a friend who is having trouble meeting his living expenses and made the comment - "I want to know how to pray to break the hindrance to receive money." He is looking for the formula with God. He sees that God is the way but he is discouraged because he thinks he needs to simply find the way to make things work out the way he needs them to work out. Tabletalk remarks today that Israel did not have the right heart. I wonder. Could it be that no matter what we do we can't force God's hand? Could it be that we can try to do the right things but ultimately we must trust God. All I know is it is hard. We hate to struggle. My friend seems like he is on the brink of homelessness if he doesn't start making money.
In this lesson, I learn that God is sovereign, but that sovereignty does not always mean our lives are without complication. In this passage, it mentions 34,000 Israelites that died. That's an easy number to write, but a hard idea to accept. Any loss of life is difficult to understand.
Summary: Israelites and Philistines are in battle with the Philistines as the aggressor. The Philistines win, twice, with Israel false believing that securing the ark of the covenant will make them victorious.
Promise: God's ways are not our ways. We cannot simply do things to earn his favor, we surrender to Him and learn to accept what He provides.
Prayer: Father God, this passage is difficult. It is hard I suppose to see the outcome of this war and the loss of life, though the losing army are the only numbers mentioned. Lord, we are a people that hates hard times and we obviously only want good things to occur. When they don't, we think we can come up with possibly the right formula to make things work out right. Sometimes I think we do this, simply to make things work out the way we want. I suppose it is normal. This passage of scripture is interesting, for I am not sure there is a big application other than you have purposes we do not see or understand. All I can continue to do is trust in You. And thank you for the eternal home I have with You. Teach me this. I keep trusting. I keep believing. I keep praying.
Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.
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