WHO CAN STAND?



  
 Image result for CLIP ART OF SOMEONE STANDING  The reader gets to Chapter 7 of 1Samuel and sees that the Ark of the Lord has a new home, and it is no longer in the hands of the Philistines.  It is first in the town of Beth-shemesh and they offer burnt offerings and sacrifices to the Lord.  It is   perhaps a sigh of relief to have the Ark of the Lord returned to them.  The towns-people decide to check out the contents of the Ark, and  they are immediately struck dead by the Lord.  Their curiosity and presumption cost them their lives.  A very pertinent question is asked by the men of Beth-shemesh,  "Who is able to stand before the Lord, this holy God?"  (I know you might be asking as I wondered...when the Philistines opened the Ark and put the golden mice and the golden tumors in it, why weren't they struck dead?  The Philistines were not Israelites  and would not have known the Levitical laws concerning the Ark, maybe they would not be "held accountable" by God?  The people of Beth-shemesh were Israelites and they had Levitical priests among them.  They knew the laws, but had become terribly lax in keeping of the laws.)

Interestingly enough, messengers are sent to Kiriath-jearim to come and take the Ark, and it is placed in the house of Abindab.  He "consecrated Eleazar his son to keep the Ark of the Lord."   The Ark is kept at this home for 20 years!  Since it represented the presence of the Lord, one wonders why it was left there and not returned to Shiloh?

Two thoughts: 1.  Psalm 15:1 and Psalm 24:3 ask nearly the same question as the men of Beth-shemesh, "Who is able to stand before the Lord, this holy God?"  Psalm 15:1.  "Who may dwell on Thy holy hill?" and Psalm 24:3 "Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord?"    Both Psalms give replies somewhat alike: ones with clean hands, pure hearts, one who practices integrity (no falsehoods, not swears deceitfully, speaks truth in his heart).  It is very obvious God's offense against any duplicity.  2.  It is interesting that the Israelites continued their worship at Shiloh without the Ark of God being present in their worship for 20 years. I wonder if we spend our day with its press of activities without any cognition that the Lord is present and He desires to be intimate with us in a time set aside just for Him?  Do we ever just go for days, maybe months, until the years have past and the heart has become cold and calloused because we are too busy and have not time for prayer or being in His Word?  If you are a Christ follower, you have a resident Holy Spirit who can be your Holy Discomforter.  If you have gotten lax or lazy in the relationship, may you have the courage to repent and allow the Spirit of God to fan the ashes of your heart to bring you alive again to His spirit for His sake, your sake, and your family's sake!  Just saying!!  #IHAVETHREESONS

 

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