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THE INNOVATION OF THE PHILISTINES
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18
1 Samuel 6

Proverbs 9:9-10

 

“Give instruction to a wise man,

and he will be yet wiser…”

 

THE INNOVATION OF THE PHILISTINES
 
The images of emerods and mice made of gold were the inventions of the Philistines. However, they were made of precious substance and this was their worth. Thus, even the Philistine priests counselled the leaders of the affected cities to send the Ark back with valuable trespass offerings that would reflect their sincerity. The Philistines knew that the God of Israel was all powerful. They had initially fought against Israel and won and were able to take the Ark from them. However, this turned out to be the beginning of another contest between their idols and the God of Israel. They had to surrender and return the Ark.
 
The significance of the golden emerods and mice was the plagues that attacked the Philistines and the common rodents in their land. The priests and diviners who decided on making their images of gold for the trespass offering had their reasons. They also advised the Philistines to give glory to the God of Israel as they were seeking forgiveness from Him. The power of the God of Israel that they had witnessed subdued their will and they yielded. When they did so, they said that the God of Israel would lighten His hand upon them and their gods. Their understanding of God was still very limited, but they were willing to submit. The priests warned the Philistines against hardening their hearts as the Egyptians. That mention of the wonders of the Exodus showed that these people were not ignorant of the true God. This was so because God had not left Himself without a witness in every nation. The Ark of the Covenant became a witness to them in those circumstances.
 
God’s work can only be done God’s way. Both the Philistines and the people of Israel had to learn God’s lesson the hard way. This was so that only God’s purposes should govern their actions. They needed to live a holy life and serve the Lord with honesty. Good knowledge of God’s Word today will teach us all these basics and we can relate well with the Lord as we wait for His eternal reward. Let us obey Him.
 
THOUGHT: Everything that God made bears witness for Him.

PRAYER: Father, may I bear witness for Thee every day of my life.

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