1 Samuel 6:1-5
(The Ark Returned to Israel)
The ark of the Lord was in the country of the Philistines seven months. And the Philistines called for the priests and the diviners and said, “What shall we do with the ark of the Lord? Tell us with what we shall send it to its place.” They said, “If you send away the ark of the God of Israel, do not send it empty, but by all means return him a guilt offering. Then you will be healed, and it will be known to you why his hand does not turn away from you.” And they said, “What is the guilt offering that we shall return to him?” They answered, “Five golden tumors and five golden mice, according to the number of the lords of the Philistines, for the same plague was on all of you and on your lords. So you must make images of your tumors and images of your mice that ravage the land, and give glory to the God of Israel. Perhaps he will lighten his hand from off you and your gods and your land.
Tag: The World Does Not Get Grace
The Philistines had won the battle, but were about to lose the real war. In battle they had defeated Israel, killed the priest’s (Eli) sons, watched Israel run away in humiliation AND taken the Ark of the Covenant as a treasure. That was their biggest mistake. As a result of brining the Ark into their midst, God sent a plaque on them that produced tumors. Now they wanted to know what to do. Because they did not understand God’s grace, they attempted what we read above. They thought that works would bring them rightness before God. Now, by sending the Ark back to the nation of Israel, they did end the tumors. But, it did not make them right before God. The “works” they did helped them feel better. It relieved the immediate pain of the tumors. But, “works” will not get us right before God. Despite this one act of contrition they were still enemies of God (Romans 8:7). The only way for them to be “right” before God is to come to Him and ask for His grace. Works does not provide grace (Romans 11:6). We have to understand that God wants to give us grace, but we must humbly stop trying to earn it. Grace comes by a gift. They were able to stop the pain and win the battle. But, they still lost the war. They needed to seek God’s grace to win that war. We win when we submit to God and He extends us grace.
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