GOING TOO FAR

 1 Samuel 6:13-7:1
"Who can stand in the presence of the Lord, this holy God?" (1 Sam. 6:20b).

GOING TOO FAR
Norayr (Norman) Hajian
Whitehorse, Yukon
Territory Canada
Pastor
Church of the Nazarene

The Israelites had lost it; the Philistines had sent it back; now 70 men died because they looked inside it. We don't know what the 70 men found when they opened the ark of the covenant, but it was likely the last thing they ever did see.

Since the ark represented God's presence among his people, it seems strange, almost ironic, that the ark would be the cause of so much suffering; and yet it was, again and again.

The problem wasn't the ark. The problem was man's sinful condition. Ever since the first act of disobedience, humankind has been unable to freely enter into the presence of God without being overwhelmed by one's own sense of sin. Our sin prevents us from drawing near to God, that is, until we come to the Good News in 1Jhon 2:1b: "[w]e have one who speaks to the Father in our defense- Jesus Christ, the Righteous One."

We don't need the ark to find God. Through Christ we can enter into the presence of God and we can do so in confidence, "by the blood of Jesus" (Heb. 10:19b). What are we waiting for?


Personal holiness, genuine devotion, is what [God] wants. Whatever fosters that, he encourages. Whatever hinders, he removes (Harold Bonner).

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