It never fails. My Ladies II Sunday School Class always inspires me to write.
This week, we have been reading and talking about the battle between the Israelites and the Philistines in I Samuel 3-6. These two enemy groups battle many times throughout the book, but in this particular battle, something horrible happened. The Ark of the Covenant was captured. Now, that may not sound like much, but when you realize the Ark of the Covenant illustrated God's presence, the horrific reality becomes apparent.
It all started when Israel lost their first fight with the Philistines. They got the "bright idea" to take the Ark of the Covenant into the next battle with them - using it like a small child would use a rabbit's foot. They just knew they couldn't lose with God's presence on their side.
The problem is, they had NO business moving the Ark without God's permission. They were doing something totally on their own, apart from Him. So, they moved the Ark, and severe consequences erupted...for them and for the Philistines.
You see, while the Ark of the Covenant remained in Philistine territory, a plague flourished. Rats, which carried disease (probably the Bubonic Plague) overran the territories, causing the spread of numerous tumors and death. After seven months, the Philistines had had enough. They wanted the Ark GONE from their territory...literally.
It's interesting to note that in all that time, there was no evidence that the Israelites tried even ONCE to win the Ark of the Covenant back. You would think the people who were saddened by its loss would be desperate to retrieve it anyway they could. After all, it housed the very presence of God. So, what happened? Why didn't they rally all the people they had left to attack the Philistines and take the presence of God back from their enemies?
Could it be that maybe, just maybe, they realized their sin. They realized how they had come to mistreat God - how they had come to use Him as a superstitious "Gimme-God," instead of the holy, powerful, jealous God, He is. Maybe they realized the depth of their sin and decided that they were beyond saving...that God couldn't use them anymore, and so He left them.
Imagine their surprise then, when the Ark of the Covenant - the very presence of God, Himself - appeared in the midst of the Levite camp. It came home on the backs of cows sent from the Philistine territory. I know that sounds strange, but the Philistines didn't want to just get rid of the Ark. Instead, they wanted to make sure that all this - the plagues, the rats, the tumors - wasn't just a coincidence. They didn't want to just hand over their war trophy without a reason.
So their diviners and prophets hatched a plan to make sure that it was indeed the God of the Israelites who was causing their distress. The trip home for the Ark would have to be an impossible one, apart from the miraculous.
Suffice it to say, the miraculous happened. You can read all about it in chapter 6. The Ark returned home. That, was enough evidence for the Philistines.
It was also evidence for the Israelites - evidence that no matter what, God's covenant cannot be broken. No matter what they did, no matter how they treated Him, God's covenant of love with the Israelite people would not change. He would always be there. He would never leave them, nor forsake them. They would always be His people - period.
Imagine the joyous celebration - to know that God came back to them, even when they didn't seek Him. Instead, He sought them.
That's an incredible thought, isn't it - that God's presence in our lives - isn't dependent upon us. Even when we don't seek Him, He still seeks us. He will NEVER leave us nor forsake us...no matter the sin, no matter the fear. He will remain with us...always.
Thanks, Ladies II. I cherish the reminder.
I love You, Father, and am humbled that You would love me, even when I am apathetic towards you. Thank You that You will always seek Your own...me. I love You, Lord.
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