Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 4:1-11
“And when the people had come into the camp, the elders of Israel said, ‘Why has the Lord defeated us today before the Philistines? Let us bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord from Shiloh to us, that when it comes among us it may save us from the hand of our enemies.’”—1 Samuel 4:3
Israel had just lost four thousand men in their skirmish with the Philistines. Their response was to bring the ark of the covenant into the base camp to reverse the tide of battle. After all, it was the ark that went before the people as they traversed the wilderness and crossed the flooded Jordan River into the promised land. It was the ark that led the way as they marched to victory at Jericho. So, perhaps it was logical to follow the pattern that had been successful in the past.
The subsequent battle did not go as expected. The Israelites lost thirty thousand men as they were soundly defeated and the Philistines captured the ark. The problem was the Israelites had a misplaced faith. Instead of trusting God to be their salvation, the Israelites trusted the ark itself for deliverance: “…when it (the ark) comes among us it may save us…”
The ark represented the presence and power of God but here, the Israelites confused the ark for a good luck piece or worse, a god itself. The people failed to see it wasn’t the ark of God that produced their victories, but the God of the ark who enabled them to be victorious.
Before we judge the Israelites for their superstition, idolatry and misplaced faith, consider the symbols we trust for deliverance: Our wealth, occupation, church attendance and position, connections, good works, intellect, even our own version of goodness. Like the Israelites, we can confuse the symbols of God’s manifestation and blessings as the gods in our lives.
Israel mistook the symbol that represented the presence of God for God. The lesson they learned is applicable today. Trusting symbols can prevent us from getting at the real issue, longing and hunger in our lives—a relationship with God, not the symbols of the relationship.
The subsequent battle did not go as expected. The Israelites lost thirty thousand men as they were soundly defeated and the Philistines captured the ark. The problem was the Israelites had a misplaced faith. Instead of trusting God to be their salvation, the Israelites trusted the ark itself for deliverance: “…when it (the ark) comes among us it may save us…”
The ark represented the presence and power of God but here, the Israelites confused the ark for a good luck piece or worse, a god itself. The people failed to see it wasn’t the ark of God that produced their victories, but the God of the ark who enabled them to be victorious.
Before we judge the Israelites for their superstition, idolatry and misplaced faith, consider the symbols we trust for deliverance: Our wealth, occupation, church attendance and position, connections, good works, intellect, even our own version of goodness. Like the Israelites, we can confuse the symbols of God’s manifestation and blessings as the gods in our lives.
Israel mistook the symbol that represented the presence of God for God. The lesson they learned is applicable today. Trusting symbols can prevent us from getting at the real issue, longing and hunger in our lives—a relationship with God, not the symbols of the relationship.
Question to Ponder: Am I trusting God or the symbols of my relationship with God?
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”—Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”—Proverbs 3:5-6
