 After the Philistines took the Ark of God, whatever city they brought the Ark into was hit with devastation and a plague and deaths resulted from it.
The Philistines continued to move the Ark from city to city and lo and behold the same thing continued to happen. Finally, when the Ark was brought into one city (Ekron) the people protested. The people of that city let it be known they did not want the Ark in their city. They wanted the Ark sent back to where it came from. So, the Philistines finally sent the Ark of the LORD off. They strapped it to two milk cows, yoked together, and sent it back with figurines of gold as an offering. When they sent them off, the cows, carrying the cart with the Ark of the LORD, went straight to the field of Joshua of Beth-Shemesh (a city of Judah given to the Israelite priests) and stopped there. The cows did not turn to the right or to the left as they journeyed to Beth-shemesh. For some reason this makes me think about Rambo, my Belgian Shepherd. Whenever Rambo walks from his house to the main house he walks the exact same path. He has traveled this path so many times it is a worn pattern in the grass. Every now and then I wonder why Rambo does this. Is it so that when he gets older he will know how to get back and forth from his house to his master’s house? Or is it that he wants to make sure his master knows how to find him? He is the only dog we have had, thus far, that walks the same beaten path. Hmmm. Just makes you wonder. Well, it makes me wonder. Some days I just want to tell him, “Rambo, you never have to worry. We know exactly where to find you.” Just like God knew where to find the Israelites. In fact, God always knows where to find HIS people. You and me. HE knows the path we are on even when it seems as if we have strayed far from HIM. We are never lost. No matter what. We are never lost. Be Strengthened and Encouraged in HIM, Liz  Isn’t this interesting? Look at the wife of Phinehas. She was pregnant, due any day, when she heard the ark of God had been captured and that her father-in-law (Eli) and her husband were dead.
As a result of the news, she gave birth and while dying in childbirth she named the child. She called him Ichabod and said, “The glory is gone from Israel, for the ark of God has been taken.” Forget naming the child after her husband. Forget naming the child after her father-in-law who at the time was the High Priest. Nope. I wonder if naming her son after them even crossed her mind? I know one thing. She made it clear what was on her mind. Imagine her parting thoughts: Hey y’all. I’m out of here but here is my son. Ichabod. Oh, just in case you didn’t know. The glory has departed from Israel for the ark of God has been taken. Good luck because you are going to need it. A woman of few words but seems to me she understood the seriousness of what had transpired and she made it known. Be Strengthened and Encouraged in HIM, Liz  So, when the Israelites went to get the Ark of God someone please help me understand what they were thinking?!? So, let me clarify my question. Yes, I understand the elders stated the Ark would save them from the grip of the enemy. And, yes, I get they believed God would not allow anything bad to happen to them while HE was on the scene. HIS presence would protect them. The Ark was God’s sanctuary where HE dwelt among them (Exodus 25:8). But they made a decision to go and bring the Ark into the midst of their mess. To fix their mess. And, what? They thought God would just say, “As you wish!” Hmmm. In the end, God allowed the Ark to be taken by the Philistines. Surely that is not what the Israelites expected to have happen. Surely that is not what they were thinking. God allowed the enemy to defeat the Israelites and take the Ark. Seems to me God’s response was “Think again! Think again!” Just a little something to ponder. Be Strengthened and Encouraged in HIM, Liz |
Hey There! I'm LizFounder of Ezra728 with a purpose of creating inspiring messages to strengthen and encourage primarily us gals across the globe. Guys, don't fret. You are definitely welcome, too. Archives
March 2021
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