~ written by Connie Dunmyer
1 Samuel 6:19 “But God struck down some of the inhabitants of Beth Shemesh, putting seventy of them to death because they looked into the ark of the Lord. The people mourned because of the heavy blow the Lord had dealt them.”
I've read scripture, its description and laws. And of course, I've seen "Indiana Jones" (haha). So when I started this “But God” study, I felt a little bummed. I mean we’re talking about God striking people down. So I didn’t go into it with the best of mindsets. But stick with me – because just as He always does, God answered my prayer for understanding and clarity.
Here are “Connie’s Cliffsnotes” on what happened:
The Philistines captured the Ark of God and thought they had a prize. So much so, that they put the Ark beside their god, Dagon, only to have our God, Jehovah, essentially destroy their god (read 1 Samuel 5). Scripture goes on to tell how their people got tumors of groin (ouch), rats filled their land, and there was death and destruction. So the Philistines are like, 'we gotta get rid of this thing'. And 1 Samuel 6 describes how they go about doing that. Ultimately, it is carried on a cart into a field of Beth-shemesh where the people were harvesting. The people of Beth-shemesh are excited when they see it. They even offer burnt sacrifices. But then God strikes down some 70 people, which I found confusing. Also, I wanted to know how this relates to me today.
To do this – let’s go back to the days of Moses in Exodus 25, Exodus 33 & Numbers 4
In Exodus 25, God gives directions for its creation and purpose: Exodus 25:22 "There, above the cover between the two cherubim that are over the ark of the covenant law, I will meet with you and give you all my commands for the Israelites."
In Exodus 33 we first read about the "tent of meeting" - where Moses would meet with God. This would eventually become the tabernacle where the Ark of the Covenant would reside. Exodus 33:9-11 "As Moses went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and stay at the entrance, while the Lord spoke with Moses. 10 Whenever the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance to the tent, they all stood and worshiped, each at the entrance to their tent. 11 The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend."
And in Numbers 4 are very detailed and clear directions about who can and cannot look upon the holy things, including the Arc of the Covenant. The Kohathites were the ones ascribed to work in the tent of meeting (the tabernacle), but even they were not allow to look upon these holy things. Numbers 4: ". . . But they must not touch the holy things or they will die. ... 20 But the Kohathites must not go in to look at the holy things, even for a moment, or they will die.”
Back to our "But God" scripture. The people in the fields were not consecrated and they were not permitted to look upon the holy things. And while this may be new information to most of us – this was NOT new information for them. The people in the field, even with their sacrifices, did not treat the Ark reverently or in the fear of God. Some went so far as to “sneak a peak” at this, their “blessing-machine”. Like the Nazis in "Indiana Jones", they wanted to see "how it worked", to "find the power source". And not for the sake of worshipping that Source, but so they could obtain it, use it. Just like the Philistines that stole it.
Hmmm. That's interesting. How many times do I know what's right, but I find excuses and reasons to try to do what I want to do anyway?
Ultimately the people of Beth-shemesh also said "get this thing outa here", and they sent it over to another town, where it stayed in the priestly house of Abinadab for 20 years. There they treated it as sacred, and even consecrated Eleazar specifically as the guard of it. And not surprisingly, Abinadab’s household was quite blessed for those 20 years.
But again, how does this apply to me today?
Wycliffe Old Testament Commentary says this: “Their [Beth-shemesh] action illustrates man's desire to free himself from the presence of God instead of seeking to make himself fit for it.”
Ok. I think this became an entry point of understanding for me. Perhaps the striking down of those people had less to do with their actual actions, and more to do with their unwillingness to “sanctify themselves”. For if an Israelite were to really consider the Ark as being Holy – as being where “God meets with us” – then they would've followed the rules, treated it as Holy, rather than a prize.
Let's bring that knowledge back to me today.
How often do I treat Immanuel, “God with us”, as trite? I come into my office and sit down to read and to write and to learn from God. To be sure I look forward to it. But has it become mundane? Has it become irreverent? Do I take it for granted? Have I, in my pride, lifted myself to a level where I think I can “tell God” what needs to be? Have I lost the holiness of it? Have I lost the awe and reverence for what Jesus has made possible for me by HIS sacrifice?
How does one become FIT for the presence of God? I surely cannot of myself. But there is ONE Who can. Jesus! The ONLY ONE fit for the Presence of God. Therefore, just like God struck down those who sinned, I must strike down that sinful state within me, and give way to the Savior of my soul, this Immanuel.
For here – today – because of what Jesus did for all of us, I can now come to God, that same Jehovah, without fear, but with reverence, and know that I am IN the Holy of Holies because of Immanuel. Jesus is not just with me, but because of the work of the Holy Spirit, He is IN me. I have BECOME the tent of meeting, the tabernacle. (Woah!)
To be clear, my sinful self must be struck down – so that it no longer lives, but Christ in me.
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.
The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
Galatians 2:20
Which raises these questions within me:
Are my thoughts, desires, and actions an EXTENSION of Christ – NOT of self?
Do I treat the Spirit as a RESIDENT in me or as just a VISITOR?
Do we truly COMMUNE together, or do I try to just "steal a peak" at Him now and then when I want something from Him?
Oh I shall praise my God, my Jehovah, for striking down my sin. For following the death of sin, is life everlasting. May I never take that for granted. May I never be flippant in my time with God. For what a precious gift. It is truly HOLY. It is “Immanuel” – it is God with me! It is God IN me because of Jesus! Oh what a wonder! Oh let that sink in! I shall bow before Him – not because it’s a requirement – but because HE IS HOLY, and He lives IN ME!