Return of the Ark
1 Sam 6:1 And the ark of the LORD was in the country of the Philistines seven months.
1 Sam 6:2 And the Philistines called for the priests and the diviners, saying, What shall we do to the ark of the LORD? tell us wherewith we shall send it to his place.
These religious people would know what to do with the Hebrews ark of the covenant.
What should we do with the ark, the presence of God, what should we do with this Jesus?
Mat 27:22 Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.
1 Sam 6:3 And they said, If ye send away the ark of the God of Israel, send it not empty; but in any wise return him a trespass offering: then ye shall be healed, and it shall be known to you why his hand is not removed from you.
Israel had trespass offerings.
Lev 5:6 And he shall bring his trespass offering unto the LORD for his sin which he hath sinned, a female from the flock, a lamb or a kid of the goats, for a sin offering; and the priest shall make an atonement for him concerning his sin.
Blood was required for sin. Some think God can be bought with money. False ministers beg for money, implying it will buy favor with God. No, not if you do not repent and obey him.
1 Sam 6:4 Then said they, What shall be the trespass offering which we shall return to him? They answered, Five golden emerods, and five golden rats, according to the number of the lords of the Philistines: for one plague was on you all, and on your lords.
They would offer gold idols, five golden emrods and five golden rats, for the five lords and their people. Apparently their was a plague of rats as well. Some put the two together and have thought that they had the bubonic plague. Rats being the carrier of the disease.
1 Sam 6:5 Wherefore ye shall make images of your emerods, and images of your rats that mar the land; and ye shall 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.
Giving glory to God was in order, but the golden images I doubt were favored. Remember Aaron and the rebellious Jews making a golden calf to worship? God was angry. The law forbids making images of idols. But these were Philistines, they were offering a sin offering in the way that seemed right to their priests and diviners.
1 Sam 6:6 Wherefore then do ye harden your hearts, as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? when he had wrought wonderfully among them, did they not let the people go, and they departed?
They were quite familiar with the God of Israel and the plagues brought upon Egypt, because of Pharaohs hard heart. Will some of them be this way? They knew that they could not escape judgment unless they humbled themselves and made an offering to the LORD of LORDS.
1 Sam 6:7 Now therefore make a new cart, and take two milch kine, on which there hath come no yoke, and tie the kine to the cart, and bring their calves home from them:
The ark was to be moved by staves, poles that held it carried by priests from the Jewish Levites. They would make a new cart, in honor of it. It would be pulled by two milk cows whose calf's had been removed, yoked together. Wherever they went the Ark would go. Cows are not accustomed to being yoked and traveling on roads. They are prone to wander, especially with their concerns with their young.
1 Sam 6:8 And take the ark of the LORD, and lay it upon the cart; and put the jewels of gold, which ye return him for a trespass offering, in a coffer by the side thereof; and send it away, that it may go.
1 Sam 6:9 And see, if it goeth up by the way of his own coast to Bethshemesh, then he hath done us this great evil: but if not, then we shall know that it is not his hand that smote us: it was a chance that happened to us.
If the cows took a straight path to Bethshemesh, then they would know that God had caused the plagues. But, if the cows stayed in the land, the cause of the punishments would have been by an unknown source or by chance. They were casting lots, with two cows to see which it was. Unbelief will seek any explanation, before giving God glory.
1 Sam 6:10 And the men did so; and took two milch kine, and tied them to the cart, and shut up their calves at home:
The calves would be put away so as not to distract the mother cows in their journey. Will the cows be led by God's spirit, without the usual distractions? What distractions keep us from following God's Spirit?
1 Sam 6:11 And they laid the ark of the LORD upon the cart, and the coffer with the rats of gold and the images of their emerods.
Note that God did not smite the Philistines for touching the ark, he used there hands for his purpose. He gave these Gentiles grace to do what was needed to return the ark. They knew not the law of the Hebrews concerning the ark.
Rom 4:15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.
1 Sam 6:12 And the kine took the straight way to the way of Bethshemesh, and went along the highway, lowing as they went, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left; and the lords of the Philistines went after them unto the border of Bethshemesh.
The cows took the straight path with mooing, calling to their young even so, they kept going up the road driven by God. They were putting earthly affections second to obeying God. They were following God as we should follow Jesus. Not looking to the right or to the left.
Prov 4:25 Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.
Prov 4:26 Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.
Prov 4:27 Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.
1 Sam 6:13 And they of Bethshemesh were reaping their wheat harvest in the valley: and they lifted up their eyes, and saw the ark, and rejoiced to see it.
This was a city given to the Levites, the priests of God. It was the time of Pentecost and the gathering of the harvest. Those who saw it rejoiced at it's return. It had come to them without a fight. God's presence had returned to Israel. Lift up your eyes and see the Glory of the LORD. It was a mixed blessing, for God is Holy in the midst of a sinful people. God was moving by his power the ark was now where people new the law and they were bound by it, or God would not be just. They were under the law, not grace. They would again learn the fear of the LORD.
Ark Sacrifice
1 Sam 6:14 And the cart came into the field of Joshua, a Bethshemite, and stood there, where there was a great stone: and they clave the wood of the cart, and offered the kine a burnt offering unto the LORD.
The cows had traveled a straight journey to the field of Joshua, which is the Hebrew name for Jesus. There was a great stone, Christ is the rock of our salvation. They took apart the wooden cart and used the wood for a fire, then they offered the two obedient cows in their entirety, as a burnt offering to the Lord.
Apparently this was acceptable because the temple of the Lord in Shiloh had been destroyed by the Philistines. Where is the Holy place of God? It is in his presence, and the ark was the presence of God.
It was not according to their law to sacrifice cows. There was a sacrifice of a red heifer spoken of:
Num 19:2 This is the ordinance of the law which the LORD hath commanded, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring thee a red heifer without spot, wherein is no blemish, and upon which never came yoke:
The heifer was to be entirely burned, outside of the camp. Her ashes were to be used in the ceremonial cleansing of the temple.
These were not heifers and they had been yoked. Other laws forbid the sacrifice of female animals. Perhaps looking to the Messiah who was the final sacrifice.
Lev 1:3 If his offering be a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish: he shall offer it of his own voluntary will at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD.
1 Sam 6:15 And the Levites took down the ark of the LORD, and the coffer that was with it, wherein the jewels of gold were, and put them on the great stone: and the men of Bethshemesh offered burnt offerings and sacrificed sacrifices the same day unto the LORD.
The Levites using poles, removed the ark from the cart and placed it on great stone, along with the attached chest filled with the golden jewels. There they offered sacrifices and burnt offerings throughout the day. It was a time of great exuberance and celebration. The ark and God's presence had returned to Israel.
1 Sam 6:16 And when the five lords of the Philistines had seen it, they returned to Ekron the same day.
The five rulers standing afar off observing saw the flames and the sacrifices. God was receiving honor of the Jews and they probably knew that their offering would be received as well. They walked away relieved that the plagues would not continue.
1 Sam 6:17 And these are the golden emerods which the Philistines returned for a trespass offering unto the LORD; for Ashdod one, for Gaza one, for Askelon one, for Gath one, for Ekron one;
1 Sam 6:18 And the golden rats, according to the number of all the cities of the Philistines belonging to the five lords, both of fenced cities, and of country villages, even unto the great stone of Abel, whereon they set down the ark of the LORD: which stone remaineth unto this day in the field of Joshua, the Bethshemite.
The stone had become a memorial to remember the return of the ark.
Hosea 12:5 Even the LORD God of hosts; the LORD is his memorial.
Hosea 12:6 Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment, and wait on thy God continually.
1 Sam 6:19 And he smote the men of Bethshemesh, because they had looked into the ark of the LORD, even he smote of the people fifty thousand and threescore and ten men: and the people lamented, because the LORD had smitten many of the people with a great slaughter.
They had foolishly opened the ark of the covenant, this was forbidden and God killed them. They were of Israel, they were not as the world, they knew God's law. Oh we must be the light and not as the world, we have the truth, we should know better.
Josephus the historian, wrote that there were 70 men killed. The original text read 70 and 50,000. Perhaps 70 in a population of 50,000. Other translations render this verse, 70 men killed. Whether 70 or 5070, it was a grave offense to the law. There was no mediator between God and man as Jesus is to us. his grace keeps us from the wrath of God when we transgress the law of God.
The people did not respect the holiness of God. When a man of God, does an immoral act, he is not respecting the holy temple of God. Just as the ark was holy, containing the presence of God, so are our bodies, the temples of the Holy Spirit.
1 Cor 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
1 Cor 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
1 Sam 6:20 And the men of Bethshemesh said, Who is able to stand before this holy LORD God? and to whom shall he go up from us?
They knew God's holy law, but they broke it looking into the ark. Were they blaming God for their own sins? Didn't they know better? Why blame God? God had spoken through his law as he spoke to Cain:
Gen 4:7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
Gen 4:8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.
God is holy and separate. He showed his holiness as he spoke to Moses in the burning bush:
Exo 3:5 And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground. He expects his followers to respect him when they come to him. How often is God not respected in the attitudes, the dress, and the fleshly hearts of those who believe?
Lev 20:7 Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God.
1 Pet 1:15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
1 Pet 1:16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
Rather then doing what is correct, they want God's presence to leave them. This is similar to the people who witnessed the healing of the demoniac and the destruction of their swine. They were uncomfortable with God's presence. Perhaps they would have to change their manner of living?
Mat 8:34 And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts.
The problem with the people of Bethshemesh, a city of Levites, is that when corrected, instead of acknowledging their sin and repenting, seeking God's will, they wanted God removed. How often is God's presence removed, so that the people may go about their lives, in self satisfaction. They played the part of being religious, but the conviction of God's spirit and the truth, were not so important as their emotions and habits. People convicted of sin who do not acknowledge God's will, remove God or go to where they "fit in." A place to hide from God's presence. But can we hide from God? No, we only live in disobedience to him.
A question has arisen, what of moral decisions that oppose the law of man? We serve God, as did those who hid the Jews during the persecution in Nazi Germany. If caught they suffered from the law of man, but history looks upon their moral stance as being correct. More importantly, they were caring for God's people, this would bring eternal rewards.
1 Sam 6:21 And they sent messengers to the inhabitants of Kirjathjearim, saying, The Philistines have brought again the ark of the LORD; come ye down, and fetch it up to you.
They would come for the ark and it would stay with them for 70 years. Then the ark would be brought to Jerusalem by King David.
Are we ready for the holiness of God? Do we seek him with separated hearts? If he were to come into our presence with the fire of God, what would be burned away? Are we willing to be purified?
1 Cor 3:13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
Heb 12:29 For our God is a consuming fire.
1 Pet 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
1 Pet 1:8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
1 Pet 1:9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
What of those who are not believers?
Rev 6:15 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;
Rev 6:16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:
Rev 6:17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?
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