1Sa 4:11 | KingComments | STEP | The Philistines also lack insight, which is understandable. For them, the ark is also a mascot, nothing more. Just like the unbelieving Israel, they interchange the symbol with the true God. The shouting of the one and the fear of the other are both the result of unbelief and ignorance. The Philistines speak of “the Hebrews”, not of “the Israelites”. The Israelites were among the foreign peoples known as “Hebrews” ( ). What the Philistines say further shows that they are familiar with the history of the ark and God’s people. They know what happened about three hundred years ago. Yet they are not accurately informed. They connect the plagues with which God plagued the land of Egypt with the wilderness and not with the land of Egypt. In any case, they are extremely impressed by the power of God, Who, by the way, with their idolatrous view they see as several mighty gods. The only thing they can say to each other as people of the world to encourage each other is: “Be men.” The man of faith speaks differently. He does not trust in his own human strength, but in the Lord. The Philistines are fighting with all their strength, while it seems as if there is no battle on the part of Israel. They may have been surprised because they trusted their mascot and thought in their folly that God would fight for them because of the ark. They lose because the LORD is not with them and gives them into the hand of the Philistines. Superstition makes a person blind to the real danger and powerless against the enemy. The Israelites do like the sons of a certain Sceva who, out of pure self-interest, call the name of Jesus to be successful ( ). God will not be forced to fight for us if our heart is not with Him. The use of holy words, the citation of venerable leaders, relying on sanctified substances such as baptismal water and bread and wine is all worthless. It is about purity of heart and hands. No external privileges, no previous experiences of God’s presence, no correctness of position or doctrine can take the place of truth in the heart before God. God “desires truth in the innermost being” ( ). The slaughter is very great. Around the ark, the corpses must have piled up because they desperately wanted to protect the ark as the symbol of their belief. The defeat is shameful and extensive. God uses this battle to deliver the ark from the hands of wicked men who boast to be His people. Eli’s sons have disappeared from the stage forever. The ark is going into captivity. At the same time, the way it goes is a triumphal march, as we will see.

‏ 1 Samuel 4:11

The Ark Taken by the Philistines

The Philistines also lack insight, which is understandable. For them, the ark is also a mascot, nothing more. Just like the unbelieving Israel, they interchange the symbol with the true God. The shouting of the one and the fear of the other are both the result of unbelief and ignorance.

The Philistines speak of “the Hebrews”, not of “the Israelites”. The Israelites were among the foreign peoples known as “Hebrews” (Exo 1:15 ; Exo 2:6). What the Philistines say further shows that they are familiar with the history of the ark and God’s people. They know what happened about three hundred years ago. Yet they are not accurately informed. They connect the plagues with which God plagued the land of Egypt with the wilderness and not with the land of Egypt.

In any case, they are extremely impressed by the power of God, Who, by the way, with their idolatrous view they see as several mighty gods. The only thing they can say to each other as people of the world to encourage each other is: “Be men.” The man of faith speaks differently. He does not trust in his own human strength, but in the Lord.

The Philistines are fighting with all their strength, while it seems as if there is no battle on the part of Israel. They may have been surprised because they trusted their mascot and thought in their folly that God would fight for them because of the ark. They lose because the LORD is not with them and gives them into the hand of the Philistines. Superstition makes a person blind to the real danger and powerless against the enemy. The Israelites do like the sons of a certain Sceva who, out of pure self-interest, call the name of Jesus to be successful (Acts 19:13-17).

God will not be forced to fight for us if our heart is not with Him. The use of holy words, the citation of venerable leaders, relying on sanctified substances such as baptismal water and bread and wine is all worthless. It is about purity of heart and hands. No external privileges, no previous experiences of God’s presence, no correctness of position or doctrine can take the place of truth in the heart before God. God “desires truth in the innermost being” (Psa 51:6).

The slaughter is very great. Around the ark, the corpses must have piled up because they desperately wanted to protect the ark as the symbol of their belief. The defeat is shameful and extensive. God uses this battle to deliver the ark from the hands of wicked men who boast to be His people. Eli’s sons have disappeared from the stage forever. The ark is going into captivity. At the same time, the way it goes is a triumphal march, as we will see.