The story in 1 Samuel 6 reminded me of a truth that Jesus taught that is so relevant for Christianity today. The Philistines had stolen the Ark of the Covenant following a battle victory over Israel, and they had inherited, with the ark, the judgment of God on their cities. The three of the five main cities are affected by God’s judgment, and it is even comical to see the response of the city of Ekron when they see the ark coming: “They have brought around to us the ark of the God of Israel to kill us and our people.”
So, because of the judgment of God following the ark everywhere that it went, the Philistines devised a plan to send the ark back to Israel. Once back in Israel’s hands, the ark stayed at Beth-Shemesh for a while, until the Lord smote the men of Beth-shemesh for looking into the ark. The men of Beth-shemesh begged for the men of Kiriath-jearim to come and fetch the ark to their city, and having done this, the ark had rest in the latter city for around twenty years.
So what lesson do I learn from this? Jesus said that there would be those that stood before Him in the final day saying, “Lord, Lord, have we not done these things in Your name.” And Jesus responds to these telling them to depart to everlasting judgment. It is no wonder that the Philistines were judged of God, because, not only were they wicked, but they also were not God’s chosen people. But the Israelites that died at Beth-shemesh prove that God is not respecter of persons. He demands that you not be His child only in name, like Christian or church member, but that you be His child by heart repentance, change and consecration. There will be many that stand before God in the final day, thinking, perhaps like the men of Beth-shemesh, that they are safe from God’s wrath only to find that they are not one of the true children; this person is a child of rebellion with a good facade covering the fact.
I pray that you are a true child. I pray that your encounter with Jesus is genuine and heart and life changing. Please do not rest in your church membership or the title Christian. And how will we know?
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“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God….” Romans 8:14-16
