Day 100, Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): 1Samuel 4:1b–7:17
The Power of God's Presence
Some people believe they sense God's presence when they view a cross or another religious symbol in a church. Because of this, some even wear necklaces or other ornaments with Christian emblems. They believe God is with them when they wear it and will keep bad things from happening to them. What if a thief stole those things from their church or their possessions? Would God cease to be there? Would he no longer be present among them? What does God require of us for him to be present in our lives?
Where is the Power of God's Presence when we're oppressed?
In today's Bible reading, the Philistines are oppressing Israel. They're a maritime coastal nation, living in towns by the Mediterranean Sea. Israel should've driven them out of their land as God instructed, but they failed to do that, and now they're in subjection to them. There's chaos everywhere in Israel, and corruption, even in the priesthood.
Samuel, a young priest, will soon replace Eli, the old high priest of the Tabernacle, because he doesn't restrain his sons. They offer contemptible sacrifices to God. Samuel speaks the words of God to all of Israel (1Samuel 4:1). However; the people aren't listening and are doing what's right in their own eyes.
Will God's Presence be with us if we carry religious symbols?
After the Philistines defeat them, the Israelites don't seek the LORD or consult with his prophet, Samuel. They decide to take the Ark of the Covenant (a symbol of God's presence) and the attending priests (Hophni and Phinehas, the sinful sons of Eli) with them into battle. But their “lucky charm” doesn't work; Israel loses 30,000 soldiers, their enemies capture the Ark of the Covenant, and Eli's two sons die in the battle, just as God told Samuel and Eli (1Samuel 2:24; 3:11-14).
Because we wear Christian emblems, it doesn't mean God will be with us to bless our way and win our battles. Something more is required for his presence to bless us—a genuine relationship with the LORD and obedience. Do we have that, and are we obedient?
The Power of God's Presence
Philistines bring the Ark of the Covenant into the temple of their god, Dagon. They believe Dagon helped them defeat Israel's god, so they put the captured ark into his temple. When the Philistines wake up the next morning, Dagon is flat on his face on the ground before the ark of the LORD. They place him upright, but the next day he is flat on his face again before the ark, and his head and hands have broken off. He is powerless to save them (1 Samuel 5:3-4).
Once again, God shows the Philistines the power of his presence. He causes the people of their cities to have tumors.
Finally, in a panic, they return the Ark of the Covenant, realizing God's hand of judgment is heavy upon them,. They place the ark on a cart, along with a guilt offering of golden tumors and rats in a chest. Then they hook up the cart to a couple of cows who have just calved. If the cows don't return to their young but continue onto the border town of Beth Shemesh in Israel, then it's God's presence that's against them.
Then the cows went straight up toward Beth Shemesh, keeping on the road and lowing all the way; they did not turn to the right or to the left. (1Samuel 6:12a,
God requires holiness to guarantee his presence
The residents of Beth Shemesh rejoice at the sight of the ark of God.
The people chopped up the wood of the cart and sacrificed the cows as a burnt offering to the LORD. The Levites took down the ark of the LORD, together with the chest containing the gold objects, and placed them on the large rock. On that day the people of Beth Shemesh offered burnt offerings and made sacrifices to the LORD. (1Samuel 6:12a,14b–15, NIV)
The people of Beth Shemesh were curious, and God struck down seventy of the men who looked inside the ark. The people mourned and asked, “Who can stand in the presence of the LORD, this holy God?” (1 Samuel 6:20, NIV).
The people of Beth Shemesh fear God's presence and send the ark to Kiriath Jearim. Then they put a guard on it until they can figure out what to do with it. The LORD requires holiness, for he is holy. Today, we enter his presence through his Son, Jesus Christ (Hebrews 10:19-22). His sacrifice makes us righteous in God's sight.
After twenty years, the people of Israel missed the ark; it symbolized God's presence. Now they mourn, and under Samuel's prompting, they repent. They rid themselves of their idols, then fast and seek the LORD's favor. When they gather at Mizpah, however, the Philistines see an opportunity to attack them. In fear, they ask Samuel to pray for them.
Since Christ's death on the cross, we no longer need a priest—Jesus is our high priest (1Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 7:23,27). To receive forgiveness of sins, we need to confess our sins to him in a contrite spirit (1John 1:9). God desires to be our help and defense when we call upon him.In answer to Samuel's prayer, God sends loud thunder, causing the Philistines to panic and flee. Israel slaughters them until the remaining army is out of her territory. The LORD's thunder is an attack against Dagon, the god of thunder. Israel slaughters them until the remaining army is out of her territory. Her victory demonstrates that God’s presence is once again with the Israelites, even though the ark is not with them. Why? Because they rely on the LORD to save them, not a symbol of his presence.
1. an infestation of rats may have caused this calamity
2. The Bible Knowledge Commentary of the Old Testament, edited by Walvoord and Zuck, © 1985, p. 438
Focus Verse
Zechariah 4:6b (NIV) “‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty.”
Discussion
Of what value are Christian symbols?
What are the conditions for God’s presence to be with us and defend us?
What does it mean that God is holy, and how can we be holy?
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Looking Ahead: Israel feels weak, and they want leadership; they want a king to lead them in battles like every other nation. However, they fail to consider the consequences. It's wise to Count the Cost before making important decisions. Find out more in our next lesson.
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