Read: 1 Samuel 5:1-7:17; John 6:1-21; Psalm 106:13-31; Proverbs 14:32-33
The Philistines had captured the Ark, but what was a blessing to Israel was a curse to them since they didn’t serve the God it represented. Their god, Dagon bowed three times to the Ark that contained the presence of God. The third time it lost its head and its hand which stands for its authority and power.
A plague came on all five towns that housed the ark until it became obvious that the ark needed to go home. They put it on a cart with five golden tumors and five golden rats and let the cows pulling it go wherever they wanted. They abandoned their new born calves and walked straight to Beth-shemesh (“house of the sun”) which was the first Israelite town.
It came to Joshua’s land and stopped beside a rock. Joshua means “savior” and the rock represents Jesus also. The people tore the cart apart and made fire with it for a sacrifice. Sadly, 70 men from Beth-shemesh died because they looked into the ark. They, like the Philistines wanted it out of their town so they called out to the people of Kiriath-jearim to come and get it. They did, and left the ark at the home of Abinadab who ordained Eleazar to be in charge of it. Abinadab means “father of the willing giver” who stands for God. His son, Eleazar (which means “god of help”) stands for the Holy Spirit. It stayed there for 20 years and the people didn’t hear from God during that time. That reminds me of the 200 years from the Old to the New Testament where God wasn’t speaking also. God stops talking when the people stop have stopped obeying.
Samuel had the people repent and turn back to the Lord and when they did, it made the enemy in hell mad. He stirred up the Philistines to come and fight them. The people had Samuel intercede for them as they fought. God showed up and fought from heaven with frightening thunder which confused the Philistines and gave Israel the victory. The Philistines didn’t attack them again as long as Samuel was alive.
In John, Jesus fed the 5,000 with a boy’s lunch. When his mom packed his lunch that morning, she had no idea that she was really preparing lunch for a multitude. I wonder if he was embarrassed to be the only one there whose mom had made his lunch. Whatever his story was, I am sure that he was glad his mom packed his lunch for him and he went home with the greatest story. I wonder how that one day affected the rest of his life. I wonder if he went home with one of the baskets of left-overs or all twelve of them!
That was a day the disciples saw the abundant provision of the Lord. They got into their boat and were immediately faced with a storm. But, Jesus met them and once in their boat, they immediately arrived at their destination.
In both of our readings we see how the devil comes as soon as there is a victory. He wants to steal the “thunder” and rob us of our victory, but Jesus is always there with us.
Lord, remind us of this principle when we feel attacked for no reason and can’t figure out what is happening. You are the good God and the devil is the bad one.
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