“These are the gold tumors the Philistines sent as a guilt offering to the Lord—one each for Ashdod, Gaza, Ashkelon, Gath and Ekron. 18 And the number of the gold rats was according to the number of Philistine towns belonging to the five rulers—the fortified towns with their country villages. The large rock on which the Levites set the ark of the Lord is a witness to this day in the field of Joshua of Beth Shemesh. 19 But God struck down some of the inhabitants of Beth Shemesh, putting seventy[a] of them to death because they looked into the ark of the Lord. The people mourned because of the heavy blow the Lord had dealt them. 20 And the people of Beth Shemesh asked, “Who can stand in the presence of the Lord, this holy God? To whom will the ark go up from here?” 21 Then they sent messengers to the people of Kiriath Jearim, saying, “The Philistines have returned the ark of the Lord. Come down and take it up to your town.”
Just when everything seemed to be looking up, the Philistines brought back the ark of the Lord to the people of Israel in Beth Shemesh. Initially, they did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. They rejoiced, sacrificed, and made offerings to the Lord. But then, they did something very wrong: they looked into the ark, and seventy of them died that very day.
Tragedy and loss! Can you even imagine? Did they do it out of spite? Out of irreverence for the Lord? Did they not know what not to do? How could they? They had Levites with them! But they looked into the ark of the Lord, and the effects were horrible—mass deaths. It makes you think twice about the power of the Lord, taking His name in vain, and dealing lightly with this God.
Even with the golden tumors delivered from the Philistines and the rock upon which the two cows were sacrificed, the disrespect the people showed for the Lord was egregious. There was a reason for the instructions given to Moses for the tabernacle and for the Holy of Holies: “Hang the curtain from the clasps and place the ark of the covenant law behind the curtain. The curtain will separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. Put the atonement cover on the ark of the covenant law in the Most Holy Place” (Exodus 26:33-34).
The people knew better, or they should have. They had become overly familiar with God, believing they were like Him, on His same level. By looking into the ark of the Lord, God’s own people treated Him with contempt and disrespect.
We must remember that this was before people had access to God through Jesus, before the veil was torn and Jesus became our mediator. When a sinful person looks upon a Holy God, things do not go well. Now, we have access to God because of what Jesus did; but then, they were on their own, and people are innately sinful. The judgment of the Lord upon these people could even be considered merciful for not killing the entire village.
It makes me thankful for Hebrews 4:16: “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Now, we have access to the Father. As simply as I am talking to you, I can turn and talk to Him.
Let’s live into that promise today, knowing that unlike the people of old, we have access to the throne as we approach with confidence, awe, respect, and love. Through Jesus, a way has been made for us to know God and to be known by Him. “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5).
“O Lord God, you are good and faithful. I am but a sinful person, saved by Jesus, redeemed by your love, and transformed by your Spirit. I am clay in your hands, and still there is much work to do. Come now, Holy Spirit, fill us with your love and power. Help us know the truth of your love and the power in your touch. Save us, call us, and send us. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen