The Philistines test the LORD

Mo. 1/13/14: 1 Samuel 5:10 – 11                  Why was there fear?

So it was, as the ark of God came to Ekron, that the Ekronites cried out, saying, “They have brought the ark of the God of Israel to us, to kill us and our people!” So they gathered … all the lords of the Philistines, and said, “Send away the ark of the God of Israel” … For there was a deadly destruction (in) the city; the hand of God was heavy there.

Why was there fear? The Ekronites knew that plagues would follow.

Tu. 1/14/14: 1 Samuel 6:2 – 3                  What did the priests suggest?

And the Philistines called for the priests and the diviners, saying, “What shall we do with the ark of the Lord? ”

So they said, “If you send away the ark of the God of Israel, do not send it empty; but … return it to Him with a trespass offering. Then you will be healed, and it will be known to you why His hand is not removed from you.”

What did the priests suggest? They suggested a trespass offering be sent.

We. 1/15/14: 1 Samuel 6:7 – 9                  Why milk cows?

Now therefore, make a new cart, take two milk cows which have never been yoked, and hitch the cows to the cart; and take their calves home, away from them. Then take the ark of the Lord and set it on the cart; and put the … trespass offering in a chest. Then … let it go. And watch: if it goes up the road to its own territory, to Beth Shemesh, then He has done us this great evil. But if not, then we shall know that it is not His hand that struck us—it happened to us by chance.”

Why milk cows? A clever plan to test the Lord!

Th. 1/16/14: 1 Samuel 6:10 – 12                  What happened?

Then the men did so; they took two milk cows and hitched them to the cart, and shut up their calves at home. … Then the cows headed straight for the road to Beth Shemesh, and went along the highway, lowing as they went, and did not turn aside to the right hand or the left. And the lords of the Philistines went after them to the border.

What happened? Forgetting their calves, they followed God’s direction.

Fr. 1/17/14: Romans 14:10 – 12                  Will we be tested?

But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written:

      “As I live, says the Lord,

      Every knee shall bow to Me,

      And every tongue shall confess to God.”

So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.

Will we be tested? Yes, we will stand before the Judgment seat of Christ.