Encountering God
Text: I Samuel 4:1-11, I Samuel 6:13-21, II Samuel 6:1-11, I Chronicles 15-16
The Ark of the Covenant
The Place of the Presence of God
“There I will meet with you; and from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are upon the ark of the testimony, I will speak to you about all that I will give you in commandment for the sons of Israel.” Exodus 25:22
The eternal God who is not constrained by the existence of time, the infinite God who is not bound by the constraints of space, the transcendent God who dwells above and beyond all time and space, and the immense God who fills all time and space condescended to the weakness of His people and became manifest for their benefit in one locale. This God is not bound by time, but He bound Himself to the time-bound experience of His people. This God is not bound by space, but He bound Himself to this box. He is above all creational constraints, but He bound Himself to them. He is everywhere, but He was there. Daniel Hyde adapted from God in our Midst
Superstitious Treatment I Samuel 4:1-11
A lost battle
A misplaced trust
The Ark is taken captive
Lesson: God will not be manipulated! Some examples of what we may be doing…
Praying as a bargaining effort Practicing Spiritual disciplines to obligate God
Giving to get
Curious Treatment I Samuel 6:13-21
The Ark returned by the Philistines
Some men looked into the Ark
God killed 50,000 people as punishment
Lesson: God demands to be treated as holy!
Examples of what we may be doing…
Checking God out to see if He will work for you
Treating God as an object that you will decide about
Casual Treatment II Samuel 6:1-11
Returning the Ark to Jerusalem
The Ark transported on a cart
Uzzah steadies the Ark by hand
God kills Uzzah for his irreverence
Lesson: God commands how He should be treated!
Our examples… Treating God as if you are doing Him a favor
Thinking that you are helping God out
Doing the God-thing your way
Reverential Treatment I Chronicles 15-16
A Psalm of Thanksgiving (I Chronicles 16:8-36)
The Ark returned in accordance with God’s requirements
A spectacle of music, joy, and celebration
A time of worship
An occasion of fellowship and thanksgiving
Lesson: God is worthy of all our best!
Examples for us…
Humility
Obedience
Passion
Reckless abandonment of self
How are you treating God?
Would He agree with your answer?