“When the ark for the covenant of
Adonai entered the camp,
all Israel gave a mighty shout
that resounded through the land.”
-1 Samuel 4:5
In chapter 4 of 1 Samuel, we see Israel making a mistake all idolators typically make.
They falsely ascribed supernatural power to an object.
This is exactly what happened when the Israelites carried the ark into their battle with the Philistines.
They were overjoyed and started shouting out premature cries of victory.
Actually, the original Hebrew says they gave out a loud TERUAH when the Ark showed up.
You do remember what a TERUAH is, don’t you?
It’s the blast that accompanies the blowing of a SHOFAR.
It’s the same type of blast the Israelites made with their shofars after they marched around the city of Jericho 7 times.
So that’s the image we should have in our minds when we read this part of Scripture..
A bunch of Hebrew men blowing their shofars in celebration at the sight of their Ark.
Even the Philistines were affected by all the commotion and said among themselves…
“We’re lost! Who will rescue us from
the power of these mighty gods?
These are the gods that completely
overthrew the Egyptians in the desert.”
-1 Samuel 4:8
But fortunately for them…
And unfortunately for Israel, it was not to be.
The Israelites were harboring a false confidence that was about to be displayed in reality.
So why did Israel place such confidence in the Ark of the Covenant?
Because they believed that’s where God’s Spirit resided.
In their minds, the Ark was a visible sign of the Lord’s presence.
Keep in mind, at this point in Israel’s history, Israel’s mindset wasn’t that much different from the pagan nations they were surrounded by.
They believed YAHWEH operated pretty much the same way the gods of the other nations operated.
It was perfectly normal for an army to bring their gods to the battlefield.
In fact, war in ancient times was considered to be nothing more or less than a battle of the gods.
The soldiers were just instruments in the gods’ hands.
So the Israelites assumed victory because the Ark was in their midst.
Boy were they in for a rude wakening.
And that’s your takeaway for today folks.
There isn’t any supernatural power inherent in a physical object unless God decides to use that thing as an instrument of His power.
It doesn’t matter if it’s a bronze snake, a crucifix, a copy of the King James Bible or whatever…
Ya feel me?
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