02/01/2024 - THE FOLLY OF THE PHILISTINES

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Then the Philistines took the ark of God and brought it from Ebenezer to Ashdod. 1 Samuel 5.1

When the Lord commanded Abram to leave his land, the devil began to act on the island of Crete, leading some from there to occupy a part of Palestine, which today is called the Gaza Strip, and those who arrived were called Philistines. God would fulfill His promise to provide redemption for humanity through Christ, who would pay the price of salvation. Seeing that Abram’s seed dominated Canaan, the evil one tried to undermine the divine plan by using the Philistines. 

The Philistines went to Palestine, obeying the tempter’s desire. The Hebrews already had the promise of the land that would be theirs, because of the promiscuity of those who took pleasure in remaining in error. The accuser prepared the adversaries so that the Lord’s purpose would not be fulfilled. Wars and violence are the work of Satan, who wants to lead people astray from the principles of the New Covenant and the Truth (John 8:44). Watch out!

For centuries, the father of lies has used countless cultures to disturb Israel with treacherous attacks, like the one perpetrated by the Amalekites during the journey to Canaan. They came up behind the people, where the weak were walking, and killed some of them (Exodus 17:8-14; Numbers 24:20). Concerning this act of the Amalekites, the Lord said that one day He would wipe their name off the face of the earth (Exodus 17:14). Everything the Most High says will come true. He is faithful!

The Philistines were led by the devil. Now, man decides under the influence of which force he will live: Heaven or Hell. Those who do not know the one and only sovereign God are led by darkness, while the Lord’s servants submit to heavenly guidance. The Philistines took the Ark of the Covenant for themselves, and this sounded like a provocation to the Creator, so they paid a high price.

The ark was a box made of acacia wood, also known as satin, coated with pure gold on the outside and inside. Inside, there was a jar with the manna that fell from heaven during Israel’s time in the desert, Aaron’s rod that blossomed and the two stone tablets containing the Ten Commandments, written by the finger of God. There was the presence of the Lord, and the Philistines committed the folly of stealing the ark. Poor people!

The ark, a symbol of blessing for Israel, became a curse for the Philistines. Suddenly, hemorrhoids afflicted the men. The lesson they learned was one of suffering for everyone in the places where they placed it. Don’t play with what belongs to the Lord. In the next few lessons, we’ll study more on this subject. Avoid causing God’s wrath. Be vigilant!

The plague of hemorrhoids only stopped when the Philistines gave back the ark. This is proof that God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap (Galatians 6.7) Live your faith in Jesus, for it is like the ark of the testimony, which held the presence of the Almighty.

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares