May 9- Gold Rats and Gold Tumors

May 9, 2011

Scripture Readings:
I Samuel 5:1-7:17; John 6:1-21;
Psalm 106:13-31; Proverbs 14:32-33

Everyone has his superstitions. One of mine has always been when I started to go anywhere, or to do anything, never turn back or stop until the intended thing was accomplished.  
~Ulysses S. Grant

I Samuel 5:1-7:17

The Hope Diamond

Throughout the history of mankind people have worried about certain objects bringing bad luck or worse, a curse.  People also worry about certain behaviors bringing bad luck.  Who among us has not avoided "stepping on a crack 'cause we'd break our mother's back" as a child?  What about avoiding walking under a ladder or trying to never break a mirror?  Do you dread seeing a black cat walk across your path?  It is said that the Hope Diamond brings misfortune to whoever owns it.  This is all just superstitious mumbo jumbo, but today in our reading there is an object that really did curse the people who possessed it.

As our story begins, the Philistines have captured the Ark of the Covenant.  You will remember from our prior readings that the Ark contains the Ten Commandments, Aaron's staff that had budded, and the manna sent from God.  The mercy seat at the top of the Ark is where the Presence of God dwelt.  The Ark was supposed to stay in the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle.  It was only to be taken out at the express command of God. I don't know about you, but I would be wary of being in possession of this box.  The Philistines make the mistake of carrying the Ark of God into their Temple of Dagon and setting the Ark next to their idol statue of Dagon.  The Dagon idol falls flat on its face when the Ark is set next to it.  The Philistines set the idol back upright, but the next day it has fallen face down again.  This time the head and hands of Dagon have broken off.  After this happens, the five towns of the Philistines begin to experience a breakout of tumors.  People everywhere are getting cancer. Whichever town receives the Ark, the people are afflicted with cancer. This goes on for seven months.

Finally, the people consult their priests who suggest that the Ark be returned to the Israelites with five gold rats (representing the Philistine cities) and five gold tumors (representing the rulers of those cities) along with a newly built cart and cows that have never been yoked.  If this guilt offering makes its way back to Israel, they will know that Israel's God sent the plague of tumors.  The offering does make it back to Israel and the Levites sacrifice the cows as a burnt offering.  The five Philistine rulers watch from a distance.

Of the Israelite people who retrieved the Ark, seventy men die because they make the mistake of looking into the Ark.  After that, the city of Beth-shemesh does not want the Ark in their city and it is sent to Kiriath-jearim. We are told that the Ark was there for twenty years, but the people mourn because it seems that the Lord is not with them.  Samuel comes and tells people that if they want the Lord to begin speaking to them, they need to repent and get rid of their idol gods, Baal and Ashtoreth.  I have written about these agricultural gods in the past.  There was much immorality associated with worshiping these gods.

Samuel becomes Israel's judge after Israel confesses their sins at Mizpah.  He will be their final judge.  The era of the judges will end with Samuel.  We see that the Lord delivers the Israelites from the Philistines while Samuel is their judge.  Samuel hears peoples' disputes and judges wisely throughout their territory.  He also builds an altar to the Lord at Ramah. Samuel has his priorities straight and is a godly man.

Have you destroyed the idols in your life?  Is there anything you can identify in your life that you place above God?  If so, this story should encourage you to tear down the idols in your life and worship God, alone.

John 6:1-21

As huge crowds follow Jesus, his huge ability to meet their needs is witnessed in the miracles.  Today, Jesus takes the small offerings of a boy and meets the needs of many people from this small sacrifice.  When the hillside is filled with hungry people who have come to be taught and healed by Jesus, Philip declares it would take a fortune to feed them.  Jesus is about to teach an important spiritual lesson.  Many modern ministries need to learn this lesson.  God uses the small gifts of simple people to meet the needs of others.  Small heart-felt gifts multiply in God's kingdom.  Much of God's work does not require a ministry distributing your money.  It takes you reaching out locally and organically in your own environment. Are you worried that you don't have a ministry like Billy Graham's?  Does it bother you that all you do is stay at home with your children and take a few casseroles to sick friends in need?  Jesus is teaching you with this miracle that your small obedience is huge in the Kingdom of God.

Taking food to a person in need is God's work

This small boy gave five loaves of bread and two fish.  Perhaps you have given a few canned goods to a pantry and a meal to your friend who has just had a baby.  This is the work of God.  This is why we have this story.  He takes our small sacrifices and multiplies them.  Please do not feel that the televangelists will get all the rewards in heaven.  It just ain't so.  Be faithful where you are.  Bloom where you are planted.

Jesus walks on water to show that he has authority over nature.  Does that bring you comfort?  He will walk towards you in the midst of the rough seas in your life.  Wait patiently in the boat and hear him say, "I am here! Don't be afraid."

Psalm 106:13-31

Heed this warning from verse 13, "Yet how quickly they forgot what he had done. They couldn't wait for his counsel."  Please do not forget what God has done for you.  It takes patience to wait for His counsel in our lives.

Proverbs 14: 32-33

The wicked are going to be crushed by their own sins when they die, but the righteous have a refuge when they die.  This reminds me of the chains of Jacob Marley in the story The Christmas Carol by Dickens.

Wisdom is enshrined in an understanding heart.  There is no wisdom in a fool's heart.

What did you see today?

Blessings,

Jubilee Gal
Kathy Fullerton
© 2011