Everybody
was wrong about the ark of the covenant (an item in the tabernacle that
represented the throne of God). After losing a battle to the Philistines,
Israel sent messengers to Shiloh to ask that the ark be hauled to Ebenezer, the
site of their army camp.
When the
ark arrived, the Israelites celebrated so loudly the enemy heard them all the
way over in Aphek. The ark’s arrival caused the Philistines to fear and the
Israelites to have courage.
They were
both wrong. The Israelites took the ark into battle and were again clobbered by
the Philistines, who captured the ark. Another mistake. The Philistines got
sick and their false gods were destroyed.
We can
understand the Philistines’ error—they were idol-worshipers. But the Israelites
should have known better. They failed to consult God about using the ark. While
they knew that the ark was earlier carried in battle (Josh. 6), they didn’t
consider that God’s plan, not the ark’s involvement, allowed Israel to defeat
Jericho.
No matter
our resources, we will fail unless we use them according to God’s plan. Let’s
study the Word, pray for God’s direction, and trust His leading (Ps. 91:2) before
we step out in any venture of faith.
We see in
part; God sees the whole. (RBC)
