February 18, 2024

The Philistines had kept the ark of the covenant for seven months and paid the price in their health. They moved it into a field, and the mice ate all their crops; they paid the price with their food. They had had enough and enquired of their priests and diviners to tell them what to do. The priests and diviners recommended sending it away using milk cows with newly weaned calves and a cart. It was a test to see if God had power because if those cows, fond of their calves, carried the ark back to Israelite land, it would show his power. After all, ordinary cows would try to find their calves. However, they couldn’t send it back without an offering for their sin, hoping God would heal them. So, they fashioned depictions of tumors and mice out of gold to send with the ark. God showed them who he was by taking the ark back to Israel. They believed in the power of God yet didn’t turn away from their fake gods. Israel, on the other hand, knew of God’s power, knew the law, and were never allowed to look at the ark, much less look inside of it. 

When the ark came back to their land, they rejoiced! They used the wood from the cart to make a fire to sacrifice the cows. But, because of their curiosity about the contents of the ark, over 50,000 Israelites died because they broke the law by looking inside. They knew better, much like us. We know what God expects from us and still go our own way. Be grateful for Jesus, who has cleansed us of all our sins, past and future, but don’t forget to confess, repent, and pray; it’s as much for your good as it is for God’s ears. To hold onto sin without confession is harmful and can destroy your mind. Look at all the people paying the price for calling bad behavior good; their brains are fried because the enemy has overtaken them. Remember to repent, confess, and pray; it’s good for a healthy mind. The lesson is never to underestimate the power of God!

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? 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. 1 Samuel 20-21

And the men of Kirjathjearim came, and fetched up the ark of the LORD, and brought it into the house of Abinadab in the hill, and sanctified Eleazar his son to keep the ark of the LORD. 1 Samuel 7:1

Kirjathjearim kept the ark for 20 years.