1 Samuel 6:13-18 – Worshipping God appropriately

Seven months had quickly elapsed since the Ark of the LORD was captured by the Philistines. For that duration, life seemed to be uneventful for the people of Israel. Everyone went back to their daily routine. So, verse 13 tells us that the people of Israel went out in the field and were reaping during the wheat harvest. They were probably not troubled by the Philistines during this period. Why? The Philistines were very likely too busy dealing with their afflictions inflicted on them by the Lord. Hence, they had no time to trouble the people of Israel. They were trying to cope with the Ark and soon found the dealing of the Lord far too hot for them to handle.

Ever since the Ark of the LORD was captured by them, they did not have any moment of ease or comfort. For they were inflicted with tumors and their cities ravaged by plagues of mice. Unable to bear the terror that seized them, they decided to return the Ark to Israel at the counsel of their priests and diviners. As we have seen in 1 Samuel 6:10-12, the Ark was being ferried to Israel on a new cart drawn by two milch cows. From the way the cows had drawn the cart toward Beth-shemesh, the lords of the Philistines who were following the movement from behind must have concluded it was truly God’s hand that was against them. Though the Word is silent about their feeling, we can imagine their “ah-ha” moment when they saw the Ark arriving at the field of a certain Joshua in Beth-shemesh. Though nothing much is said about this Joshua, he just had the same name as the one who years earlier led the Israelites into Canaan. 

So, the Ark came to Beth-shemesh into the field of Joshua. And when the Israelites lifted their eyes and saw the Ark, their hearts were gladdened. The unseen hand of God had guided the cows to pull the cart to where it stopped near a large stone. Immediately, the people of Israel broke the cart and used the wood to offer the cows as a burnt offering to the Lord. Then they took down the Ark of the LORD and offered the burnt offering. This implied that they, like the Philistines, acknowledged their guilt with the five golden tumors and five golden mice.  The five lords of the Philistines from the five cities were mentioned in verses 17-18. They probably returned to their cities knowing for sure that the God of Israel must not be trifled with.

Why did the Lord choose to bring the Ark into Beth-shemesh? It's because Beth-shemesh was a Levitical town. And things pertaining to the Ark could best be dealt with by the Levites. The Lord had it all planned. But while the people of that town rejoiced at the return of the Ark, they did not act rightly. The Law stipulated that only bull should be used for a burnt offering, yet they used the two milch cows. They had acted outside of God’s stipulated way. Being excited about the things of God is one thing but true worship must be offered in accordance with His word. It is alright to get excited about the things of God but we should not mistake it for true worship. Bear in mind that true worship must be offered on God’s term and according to His Word. This is the attitude we must adopt when we come before God. Let’s worship Him honestly and sincerely. That’s the right approach to worship God.