“And he smote the men of Bethshemesh, because they had looked into the ark of the Lord, even he smote of the people fifty thousand and threescore and ten men: and the people lamented, because the Lord had smitten many of the people with a great slaughter” (1 Samuel 6:19).
2007-03-26 10:02:39 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
DONT LOOK BEHIND THE CURTAIN.
IGNORE THE MAN BEHIND THE CURTAIN.
2007-03-26 10:06:49 · answer #1 · answered by ɹɐǝɟsuɐs Blessed Cheese Maker 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Because they lifted the covering. The "Mercy Seat" sat on the covering which was the lid of the ark. The lid was a type of Christ, who 'covers' people from sin. The covering keeps sinning people like you and me from the wrath of God.
Well, they shouldn't have done that. And look at all those that died for that simple mistake! It shows me how serious all this is. Either you are covered by Christ, or you are going to be measured by the standard on your own.
2007-03-26 17:11:42 · answer #2 · answered by Christian Sinner 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ever see Raiders of the Lost Ark with Harrison Ford? The end is cool when the bad dudes look into the ark (arc?).
2007-03-26 17:09:19 · answer #3 · answered by Rapunzel XVIII 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because they laughed and mocked God! They didn't have faith that it would happen, but it did! They laughed at Noah for building it calling him a fool!! Sound familiar???
Then when the rains came down they believed then?? They had to SEE the rain?? Sound familiar?
Why don't you take the advice of the story.
2007-03-26 17:10:22 · answer #4 · answered by AJM 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because he didn't want them to know that it was the same thing that the Ancient Egyptians had thousands of, although most of theirs were simply wood, not gold over wood.
2007-03-26 17:06:00 · answer #5 · answered by mamasquirrel 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Actually the proper translation is:
1Sa 6:19 And he struck some of the men of Beth-shemesh, because they looked upon the ark of the LORD. He struck seventy men of them, and the people mourned because the LORD had struck the people with a great blow. (ESV Translation)
The 50,000 number crept into some manuscripts, but scholars have shown the number to be less than 100, as quoted in one of the more literal translations above.
It is not improbable that in their festive rejoicing priests, Levites, and people may have fallen into intemperance, and hence, into presumptuous irreverence (compare Lev_10:1, Lev_10:9).
God had just vindicated His own honor against the Philistines; it must now be seen that He would be sanctified in them that come near Him Lev_10:3.
It is obvious to observe how the doctrine of atonement, and its necessity in the case of sinners, is taught in this and similar lessons as to the awesome HOLINESS of God.
Yes, the bible records some horrific details. It is a historical account, warts and all, of God's revelation to mankind. It also reflects the contexts of the periods under question. That mankind was slipping fast into utter depravity was reason enough for the creator of mankind to act. God was perfectly within His righteousness to deliver the ultimate justice to the unrepentant. Indeed, one person has found the total body count in the bible to be over 2.2 million persons. But let's not forget the total numbers of those that have repented after hearing God's call to righteousness.
Some will say, “But isn't God unjust to judge the whole world by Christian standards?”
God judges justly. “All who sinned without [knowing] the [Mosaic] law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law” (ROM 2:12).
Even pagans show “that what the law requires is written on their hearts” (ROM 2:15) if we honestly consult our hearts, we will find two truths: that we know what we ought to do and be, and that we fail to do and be that.
I am encouraged when I see unbelievers getting very indignant with some apparently awful action as a matter of principle. Such indignation requires recourse to the absolute, unchanging, and good character of God in order to make philosophical sense. The expression of moral indignation is but personal evidence that unbelievers know this God in their heart of hearts. They refuse to let judgments about evil be reduced to subjectivism.
Although this may seem appalling to consider it is God's right to bring judgment on whom He desires, when He desires, through whom He desires, in the manner that He desires. Man simply does not have all of the knowledge required to judge God on this issue. The amazing thing is that God was as long suffering with sinful people as He was. What better way to impress upon God's children the sinfulness of sin than to have them administer a punishment for sin?
It is also true that the nations God commanded Israel to destroy (i.e. Amorite, Canaanites, Midianites) had enticed Israel to sin. God desired to put an end to Idolatry. What better way to eliminate Idolatry than to completely destroy the entire Nation responsible?
Women and children were part of God's judgment in order to completely destroy the influence and Idolatry of the foreign nation.
Although Israel returned to Idolatry time and time again, the Nations judged by God were responsible for their own sin.
It matters not how or when a person dies. It matters what a person's relationship to God is. If children are "innocent" they will be judged by God as such even if they die as part of Gods judgment against the nation in which they live.
In Romans 11:22 we read:
"Behold then the kindness and severity of God; to those who fell, severity, but to you, God's kindness, if you continue in His kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off."
2007-03-26 17:35:45 · answer #6 · answered by Ask Mr. Religion 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
His call.
Don't look inside.
2007-03-26 17:21:17 · answer #7 · answered by NickofTyme 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God is a consuming fire.
2007-03-26 17:08:47 · answer #8 · answered by Mr. E 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋