SAMUEL: God's Heavy Hand

There is only one true God, and He will not share His glory with our idols. The Bible says it’s a terrible thing to fall into His hands, so how can anyone escape? Chapters 5 & 6 contain the story of the lost ark and its return to Israel. This is one of the lowest points in Israel’s history. The “glory has departed” and their very survival is on the line. But while the Philistines possess and parade the stolen ark, their idols are broken and they’re terrorized by deadly plagues. Believing that it’s possibly caused by the heavy hand of the God of Israel, they concoct a plan to return it with a guilt offering to stop their affliction. The plan works and the ark is returned to God’s people. But instead of turning to the one true God, they return to their land and their own idol worship. Israel rejoices on the other hand, but in the process even 70 Israelites are struck down because they looked upon the ark, causing them to ask “who is able to stand before the Lord?” The answer of course, is no one. No one can escape God’s heavy hand. Sin always results in pain because of God’s justice and holiness, and we are all sinners. Only God can save us from God, and that through Jesus Christ. Service, sacrifice, and guilt offerings only return us to empty religion and idolatry.