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Lessons in Ark-eology

This week we finish the second major section of I Samuel: The Ark Narrative (chapters 4-6). Last week we saw that when Israel tried to use the ark of the covenant as a magic charm in battle, they were soundly defeated by the Philistines and the ark was taken captive. The Philistines supposed that their god Dagon had given them victory over the LORD. The LORD demonstrates, however, that He is still sovereign and that He can take care of His ark and His people. After God creates havoc among the Philistines by destroying Dagon’s statue (a humorous account) and by smiting them with tumors (not funny to them), the Philistines are more eager to get rid of the ark than they had been to capture it in the first place.

One of the most striking lessons of this text is the hardness of heart among the Philistine leaders.They keep propping up and pasting back together their worthless idol Dagon, rather than bowing the knee to the LORD who has demonstrated Himself to be the One True God. Isn’t that what people do in our day as well?

Israel’s National Treasure (the Ark) Is Raided!

Are you superstitious? Is there any harm to carrying a rabbit’s foot? What about wearing a St. Christopher’s medal for safety? Have you ever observed a baseball player cross himself before coming up to bat? Did it help him?

When Israel faced defeat at the hands of the Philistines they tried to use the ark of the covenant as some kind of lucky charm by which they could channel the power of God to help them conquer their enemies. They have no more success than the evil Nazis in the movie, “Raiders of the Lost Ark.” As a result of their folly and faithlessness Israel is plunged into one of its darkest hours. It appears that the glory has departed.

Here are some questions to consider while listening to this week’s sermon. Do people today try to manipulate supernatural powers for their own benefit? Do professing Christians put God to the test as Israel did? How? Where is God’s glory displayed today? Are there cases in which the glory of the Lord has departed from a particular place?