They took the Ark of the Covenant into battle, thinking that it would assure them victory (see next note); instead, they should have repented of and corrected their sinful ways if they wanted God’s blessing.

1 Sam 4:3 “the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord.” The Ark represented God’s presence in Israel (cf. Ex 25:10-22; Num 10:33-36).

The people thought that the Ark would unconditionally guarantee God’s favour and power. They failed to understand that a symbol of spiritual things does not in itself assure one of the realities to which it points. God remained with His people only as long as they sought to maintain their covenant relationship with Him.

Likewise, under the new covenant, submitting to water baptism or partaking of the Lord’s Supper will be of no spiritual benefit unless one truly submits to the Lord and His righteous ways (cf. 1 Cor 11:27-30).
Read 1 Sam 5. The Philistines and the Ark

“But the hand of the Lord was heavy on the people of Ashdod, and He ravaged them and struck them with tumors, both Ashdod and its territory. 7: And when the men of Ashdod saw how it was, they said: “The Ark of the God of Israel must not remain with us, for His hand is harsh toward us and Dagon our god.” (1 Sam. 5: 6, 7).

Although the Philistines had just witnessed a great victory by Israel’s God over their god, Dagon; they did not act upon that insight until they were afflicted with tumours (possibly bubonic plague).

Similarly, today many people do not respond to biblical truth until they experience pain. Are you willing to listen to God for truth’s sake, or do you turn to Him only when you are hurting?

Punishment for Hardheartedness
Read about the plagues in the land of Egypt due to Pharaoh’s hardheartedness. The 6th plague — horrible boils broke out on everyone in Egypt (Ex. 9:8-12).

“And they caused boils that break out in sores on man and beast.” (Ex. 9:10).

Punishment for idolatry. Read Ex 32. The golden calf. “So the Lord plagued the people because of what they did with the calf which Aaron made,” (Ex. 32:35)

Due to arrogance and wickedness of a nation. A nation that shows contempt for God’s people. Read Ezekiel 28:20-23. Zidon to perish: “For I will send pestilence upon her, and blood in her streets; the wounded shall be judged in her midst By the sword against her on every side; then they shall know that I am the Lord,” Ezek 28:23.

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