SAMUEL 5 AND 6 lesson # 7
I. Greetings:
II. Introduction:
Q Can anyone describe the ark of the covenant? What did it look like and how big was it?
An = If there is a chalk or white board present let someone attempt to draw it, or select someone with strong self-esteem and pick on them to draw it. If nothing is present with which to illustrate the ark, let them verbally describe it. It was basically a rectangular box (approximately 2 1/4 feet by 2 1/4 wide by 3 3/4 feet long) with a lid of gold. On top of the box were two cherubim (angels, lions???) who faced each other with outstretched wings towards one another that did not touch. The box was made of acadia wood and overlaid with gold. Inside of the box was apparently Moses's staff, a jar of manna, and the tablets of Moses' law. On the corners of the ark were four rings where two poles could put placed so that four Levites could carry the ark.
Note: The ark was considered to be "place of His presence" and "the ark of the covenant or testimony". In other words, the Israelites associated the ark with His invisible presence where Yahweh could be approached in prayer: presumably between the four outstretched wings of the ark was a space where the wings did not quite touch. It was also the reminder of the covenant and so was a reminder of how Israel was related to God on the basis of the Ten Commandments. The reason the Israelites wanted the ark at the battle between the Philistines and themselves was to guarantee Yahweh' presence for their victory. They might not have figured on the fact that it was also a reminder of their "covenant relationship" based on the Ten Commandments. We will look at this idea later.
Q Based on what we read last week of the massive defeat suffered by Israel after the ark arrived would the average observer has regarded the ark as very powerful?
An = Objectively no! The Philistines relied on a pep-talk and the Israelites relied on the ark and got slaughtered. slaughtered. Perhaps, it is merely a box. Lets read more about this symbol of God's presence.
III. The Ark in Philistia: A Rough Seven Months. I Samuel 5:1-12.
>>>> Have someone read I Samuel 5:1-5.
Q How many times did Dagon "fall down".
An = twice.
Q What did the falling down of Dagon represent?
An = The ark was placed before Dagon as a representation of Dagon's victory over the Israelite people and its gods. What happens when the people come in the morning though is that the symbolization is reversed.
Note: Dagon in myths we have discovered was reported to have been the father of Baal.
>>>> Have someone read I Samuel 5:6-9.
Q How many cities were struck with the plague (tumors/hemorrhoids/?)?
An = Two cities. The ark was causing havack in the cities and according to those of Ashdon causing havack on their god Dagon (5:7). There is quite a discussion as to what type of plague the cities were struck with. We know it included mice or rats and that the Hebrew word translated tumors or hemorrhoids is a rare word. We also know that it caused "panic" or "confusion". What is clear is that these victorious cities were being devastated by the weak God of Israel.
>>>> Have someone read I Samuel 5:10-12.
Q What did the people of Philistia decide to do?
An = To get rid of this ark before it got rid of them.
IV. Traveling Home: More Miracles and More Destruction. I Samuel 6:1-21.
>>>> Have someone read I Samuel 6:1-9.
Q What is the proposal for sending the ark back?
An = 1) The Philistines are trying to appease Yahweh. They had little trouble with Israel's armies but were having excessive trouble with Israel's God. They sent golden offerings of five "somethings" and five mice. 2) Then they prepared a test again for Yahweh. Notice 6:7 and 6:9.
Note: It seems that the Philistines were not overly superstitious. They knew that the plague could be attributed to chance or natural causes. They wanted a further sign that this was indeed the hand of the Lord on them through the ark. Perhaps, they had not been told the stories of the falling down of Dagon in the temple. What concerned them now was their physical safety.
Q What type of test is to place two lactating mammals in one direction and tie up their off spring in another?
An = They knew it would have to be divine for a nursing mammal to voluntarily walk away from its young. They were looking for another sign to make sure the plagues were not mere coincidence.
Note: The reason for hauling the ark on the "new cart" instead of carrying with poles as the Levites did was probably due to the Philistine custom of carrying their gods on a "new cart" that had never been used. It was their way of showing respect. It was not the way the ark was to be carried by the Israelites (or why else the golden rings for the poles).
>>>> Have someone read I Samuel 6:10-16.
Q Did the ark prove to be powerful again? Did the ark pass the test?
An = Yes, the oxen went straight into Israelite territory. The people of Bethshemesh were excited. Note that the story is told with such descriptive power (Gordon p. 92). Notice the oxen lowed as they went and when the cart arrived at people of Bethshemesh wer reapoing their wheat harvest and looked up....
>>>> Have someone read I Samuel 6:17-18.
Q Were the Bethshemites religiously observant?
An = Yes they were. Now notice the strange part of the story that follows.
>>>> Have someone read I Samuel 6:19-21.
Q Is this disturbing? Why?
Q Why did God kill so many Israelites?
An = It seems that Israelites of Bethshemesh were sort of brain-dead or thought they could be curiously about the ark because they had done a religious thing in 6:18 with their religious monument. They blasphemed by looking into the ark and found that their nationality did not seem to help them much with the ark.
Q Are their people today that think God loves them so much more than others that they can be cavalier with the things of God?
An = Some nationalities think this. So people think that their denomination is superior and so they are arrogant with the things of God. Many times seminary students are this way. It is dangerous behavior. It seems God is no respector of persons.
>>>> Have someone read I Samuel 5:8 and then 6:20.
Q What do these two speeches have in common?
An = Both of these groups have much in common in their attitude towards encountering the holiness of God. It is dangerous and they want distance from the Lord of Glory. At least the Israelites understand that God is holy as well as dangerous.
PASS OUT THE CHART ENCLOSED OR MAKE A TRANSPARENCEY OF IT AND SHOW THOSE PRESENT.
Note: There are roughly seven stories about the ark in I Samuel 5-6. In the first story the ark seems amazingly impotent. The next stories are amazingly opposite. Dealing with the ark is a dangerous business. Power is eluded in strong fashion against other gods, pagan Philistines and Israelites as well.
Q Why was the ark so impotent when the Israelites were so strong in believing in its power in I Samuel 4:4-11?
An = Notice two main issues. 1) No where does it say that the Israelites prayed in I Samuel 4. They got together and came up with some good about getting some religious help. They believed in the symbol but were not speaking with the Lord who is behind the symbol. Remember, God is person, not electricity or a "source of power" to be manipulated. He will answer our humble prayers, He will not be manipulated. He is dangerous and holy, but seemingly silent and impotent to those who try to "use" Him or "manipulate". In fact, to those who attempt to manipulate Him He brought on them disaster (I Samuel 4:4-11).
2) The second thing is that if we remember that the ark is the Ark of the Covenant" and inside of the ark is the Ten Commandments. These were designed to regulate the relationship with the Lord and show the people how to be around Him. The Ten Commandments were the guide to help the people know what the terms of the covenant with this powerful God were.
Q What were the first two commandments?
An = No other gods before Me and no idols.
>>>> Have someone read I Samuel 7:1-4.
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