Today we are reading 1 Samuel 5. In this chapter we read about how the Ark of the Covenant afflicted the Philistines when they stole it and took it home. “So they sent the ark of God to Ekron. But as soon as the ark of God came to Ekron, the people of Ekron cried out, “They have brought around to us the ark of the God of Israel to kill us and our people.” They sent therefore and gathered together all the Lords of the Philistines and said, “Send away the ark of the God of Israel, and let it return to its own place, that it may not kill us and our people.” For there was a deathly panic throughout the whole city. The hand of God was very heavy there. The men who did not die were struck with tumors, and the cry of the city went up to heaven.” 1 Samuel 5:10-12 ESV The Ark was holy and was said to be the place where God dwells. When pagan people took possession of it the Holy and Righteousness God afflicted them. When they put it in their temple, the statue of their god was knocked down and broken. I find it interesting that the outcry of pagan people reaches up to Heaven.This means that God was aware of their suffering. In fact, God caused their suffering because they treated the Ark as if it were simply the spoils of war. Can you think of a similar story today—where pagans take something that is holy and treat it inappropriately? How do you think God will afflict them? May God help you to please Him in all your ways. Pastor Tim
