RPG Adults
THE PROVIDENTIAL CHASTENING HAND OF GOD (IV)
TUESDAY, MARCH 21
1 Samuel 6:1-12
2 Samuel 6:1-11
“What shall we do to the
ark of the LORD?”
THE PROVIDENTIAL CHASTENING HAND OF GOD (IV)
1 Samuel 5 ends with the gathering of the lords of the Philistines and a statement on the heaviness of the hand of God upon the Philistines. God is able to defend the honour of His name and reveal the glory of His power and majesty. When the ark was brought to the camp of the Israelites, the Philistines rightly trembled because of what they had heard of the mighty works of God. When they captured the ark and brought it to the house of their god, they probably had lost the fear of the LORD and honoured their idols. Now, again with fear and trembling, they sought how the ark would return to its place.
“…What shall we do to the ark of the LORD? tell us wherewith we shall send it to his place” (1 Sam 6:2). Their priests and diviners, who convened to consider the plight of the Philistines and how to get reprieve, gave full answer to the questions posed to them. The idolatrous people who knew not the Word of the LORD knew that it was the hand of the LORD that had been heavy upon them for the seven months that the ark had been in their possession. Their priests pointed out to them that there had to be a trespass offering that accompanied the ark. They were responsible for the calamity befalling them by the dishonour they had shown in the capture of the ark. The instructions given came with a specific reason and stern warning to the lords of the Philistines. They must “give glory unto the God of Israel: peradventure he will lighten his hand from off you, and from off your gods, and from off your land” (1 Sam 6:5). They must not be as the Egyptians, unless they desired a similar fate.
“…make a new cart, and take two milch kine…” (1 Sam 6:7). The second step was to send off the cart with respect and honour. They used a new cart, and cows that never had a yoke on them, and left without any guidance both to prove that what had befallen them was no coincidence, and also to let the God who plagued them and defended the honour of His name decide and lead His ark where He willed. God did show His sovereignty and wisdom, and what was impossible and improbable happened as the ark returned home.
THOUGHT: God is able to save, He can reveal His glory among nations.
PRAYER: O mighty Father, by Thy grace, turn me to obey Thee.