CHILDREN STS LESSON 42 DIVINE JUDGMENT FOR DISRESPECTING THE ARK
Text: 1 Samuel 5:1- 12; 6:1- 21
The children of Israel did evil in the sight of God and were delivered into the hands of their enemies. The Philistines who were long- time enemies of Israel went to war against them. Hophni and Phinehas, the wicked sons of Eli took the Ark from the temple to the war front. They thought that the presence of the Ark will give them victory. Alas! They were not only defeated, the ark was also captured by the enemy. The ark was a special and sacred object in Israel. When the ark was captured, Israel was defeated and many of their soldiers were killed. The Philistines rejoiced greatly that they defeated the Israelites.
Little did they know that they were taking fire into their bosom when they took away with them the ark of God. The presence of the ark brought great sorrow and calamites to the Philistines. The ark as symbol of God’s throne was placed in the most holy place of the tabernacle. The high priest stood before it once a year to make sacrifices for the sins of the people. However, Israel forgot that the ark was not to be used as a ‘charm’. The misuse of the ark led to their defeat and destruction of the Philistines. Many people today believe in symbols rather than the Saviour.
When the Saviour comes into your life, the symbols of sin, wickedness and religion without grace must disappear. Are you one of those who think the Bible is a charm? Repent now and believe the truth of the Bible “For God so loved
the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
Children must show honour, love and respect for God, His word and place of worship. Anyone who dishonours God’s presence will be judged. God’s presence and power is with all those who serve Him in truth and holiness.
- RAIN OF JUDGMENT FOR DISRESPECTING THE ARK:
1 Samuel 5:1- 12; 6:12- 20; Leviticus 26:28
God is loving and merciful but He hates disobedience and disrespect for His person and His word. God created everybody in the world, including the Philistines. Everyone in the world no matter the tribe, nation, colour, status is expected to worship and respect God as the Creator and Almighty God.
There was war between the children of Israel and the Philistines. Israel was defeated because they sinned against the Lord and He refused to help them to fight against their enemy. Many of the children of Israel died in the war, and the ark of God was captured.
The Philistines then carried the ark to their country and kept it in the house of their idol called Dagon. This was an abomination. They misused and disrespected the ark of God which served as the symbol of God’s presence to Israel at that time. God’s rain of judgment on the Philistines for their disrespect started with Dagon, their idol. It was broken into pieces that it became useless. Then God smote the people of Ashdod with a disease called emerods. The Philistines then carried the ark of God to another city called Gath. God punished the people of Gath with a great destruction and smote their men with emerods.
Wherefore, they sent the ark of God to another place called Ekron. Immediately the people of Ekron sighted the Ark, they cried out that it should be sent back to Israel. Our God is mightier than worthless idols. In the process of transporting the ark back to Israel, it got to a place known as Bethshemesh. The people in this town were not careful to treat the ark with respect. They peeped into it and God’s judgment also came on them. Fifty thousand and seventy men were killed.
The reasons for God’s divine judgment include: (i) Sin (Leviticus 26:28). (ii) Disrespect for God, His word and His house (Luke 19:45,46). (iii) Idol- worship and backsliding (Leviticus 26:21; Deuteronomy 4:3). Misusing, destroying or not showing respect for the house of God, the Bible, the altar and anything set apart for worship and service to God is an abomination. It is an ungodly and sinful act. God frowns at such and punishes whosoever does it. If you have being disrespecting the things of God, you must repent now so as not to come under God’s divine judgment.
- RETURN OF THE ARK TO ISRAEL: 1 Samuel 5:1-21
“So they sent and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines, and said, Send away the ark of the God of Israel, and let it go again to his own place, that it slay us not, and our people: for there was a deadly destruction throughout all the city; the hand of God was very heavy there” (1 Samuel 5:11). The ark which represented the presence of God was taken and kept in the shrine of the idol called ‘Dagon’. God’s anger came not only on Dagon but also on the Philistines who disregarded God. This brought fear in the hearts of the Philistines. In haste, they got the ark ready, and sent it back to its proper place.
The ark stayed in the land of the Philistines for seven months and the Israelites went about their daily activities as if nothing was wrong. Suddenly, the ark appeared in Bethshemesh unguided by any man. The Philistines had suffered greatly from the wrath of the God of Israel so they decided to let the ark return to where it belonged. This teaches us the importance of making restitution. Whatever you have wrongfully acquired, you must do like the Philistines by returning those items to the rightful owners. To the children of Israel, the return of the ark brought joy and rejoicing.
Our God is a covenant keeping God who is holy and righteous. He does not and will never tolerate sin and iniquity. He punished both the children of Israel and the Philistines because of their ungodly acts. However, when a sinner repents and turns from his sinful ways, God will forgive him.
- REPENT AND ESCAPE ETERNAL JUDGMENT
1 Samuel 6:1–20; Acts 17:30,31; Revelation 20:12–15
God’s final judgment is coming very soon on every boy and girl who refuse to answer the call of God to salvation and holy living. “Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:” (Matthew 25:41).
Whether the world believes it or not, the word of God shall come to pass. God is calling you today to repent of all wrong doings including fighting, telling lies, stubbornness, disobedience, witchcraft, boyfriend/girlfriend relationships, cursing, abusive language, worldliness, disregard for God’s house and many other ungodly acts.
To escape the final judgment, surrender your heart to Jesus today as you take these steps: acknowledge that you are a sinner, confess your sins to God, ask Jesus to wash you in His blood and invite Him to be your Personal Lord and Saviour. Pray and read your Bible every day and attend fellowship with other children of God regularly (Joshua 1:8; Hebrews 10:25).
QUESTIONS:
- The children of Israel were defeated in battle by
- Why did God punish the Philistines?
- What were the processes through which the Philistines returned the ark to Israel?
- was the place the ark first stopped after leaving the land of the Philistines.
- (a) What must a sinner do to be saved? (b) What should a backslider do to return to the Lord?
MEMORY VERSE: “And when they arose early on the morrow morning, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of the LORD; and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off upon the threshold; only the stump of Dagon was left to him” (1 Samuel 5:4).
LESSON: Sin brings defeat and sorrow.
THOUGHT: I must live a holy life daily so that I will be victorious always.
ACTIVITY: Sword drill: 1 John 1:8,9; Isaiah 1:18,19; Psalm 9:17
HOMEWORK: Pray for restoration and revival in the children church.
CONGREGATIONAL SONG: 40 – WASH ME, O LAMB OF GOD
CHORUSES: (1) I am ready to obey Thy word. (2) One day be one day. (3) I wandered far away, lost in the wilderness.
BIBLE WORD SEARCH
Find the meaning of these words. You can use your dictionary:
1. Covenant
2. Worthless
3. Ark
4. Eternal
5. Judgment.
