Gospel Reflections #890: Lies God's work of salvation.

1 Samuel 5:10 "They sent the ark of God to Ekron."

This describes the scene where the Philistines, who had seized the Ark of the Covenant (the Ark of God), were struck by successive disasters at the place where the Ark was placed (Ashdod). 

After events like the Dagon statue toppling over in the temple of Dagon, they finally sent the Ark on to the next town, Ekron.

The people of Ekron, fearing the calamity that had struck Ashdod, cried out, "Is it coming to us to kill us and our people?" While refusing to accept the ark again (passing the buck), they recognized God's power and terror, leading them to conclude that the ark of God should be returned to Israel. 

This is a crucial passage detailing that process. 

 The people of Ekron tried to keep the Ark away from themselves, but they began to understand that this action itself provoked God's wrath and did not solve their problems. 

This event became a sign that they should return to the true God.

 This story contains the lesson that it is crucial to acknowledge the fundamental cause (being separated from God) and humble oneself before Him, rather than blaming external objects or others for misfortune.

It also shows a turning point where the Philistines, thrown into terror and chaos by the ark of God, recognize its dread, attempt to pass it around, yet ultimately come to deeply feel God's overwhelming power and the necessity of returning to the true God.

We too tend to focus solely on the causes of our suffering, forgetting God's will and our need to cling to Him. 

Yet God uses every means to give us opportunities to know the true God.

Within what seems like disaster lies God's work of salvation.

Our God does not easily give up on us.

AUTHOR'S BIO: This Gospel Reflections page is written by Masae San, who resides in Hiroshima, Japan. Masae is a dedicated student of the Bible with a deep passion for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She shares her daily reflections on Gospel perspectives to reach out to others and spread the message of God's true love through a Christ-centered approach. We are sharing her insights here so that you, too, can experience the joy that comes from knowing and understanding the true Gospel and the love of God through Jesus Christ.