1 Samuel 6: No Strange God
Saturday, November 29, 2025
Written on January 12 and posted today as a Favorite . . .
This is a portion of the Ark story we might find interesting. In earlier chapters, the Philistines have taken the Ark, hoping to benefit from what they believe to be its extraordinary power. What they do not understand is that the Ark is not an object of magic or superstition to be used as they wish. What it does hold is this: Aaron’s staff which bloomed as a sign of God’s presence when the Hebrews were captive in Egypt, manna that sustained them in the desert as they journeyed toward the land promised to them by God, and the tablets of commandments given them by God through Moses. It is not the Ark which now sustains the Israelites in battle as they struggle to maintain their identity in a world that wishes to eliminate them, it is God. And this is something the Philistines do not understand. Things have gone badly for them since they seized the Ark in a raid and now they wonder how to best dispose of it.
We enter the story today and watch as they determine what to do. There are wonderful lessons to be learned from all of this.
First, God does not exist in some inanimate object. God is within and without because God is everywhere. We cannot hide from God, nor can we sort of summon God or put God away when we do and do not want God’s presence. Because God is everywhere, we need never fear that we are alone; and we must work to form our best relationship with God.
Second, we cannot somehow seize, steal or borrow someone else’s successful relationship with God. We cannot pretend with God, nor can we fake anything with God. Because God is authentic, it is impossible to form a false bond with the Lord; and our best connection will be one that is open, honest, and humble.
Third, we cannot manipulate God in any way. We cannot bargain, control or wheedle our way into God’s goodness, nor can we avoid God in any way. Because God is omnipotent, it is impossible to out-maneuver God; and the best way to interact with him is with frankness and readiness to do God’s will.
There is, no doubt, much we might say about this reading; but the simple message is this: Our honesty, authenticity, security and humility are key to a healthy relationship with God.
In today’s MAGNIFICAT Morning Prayer mini-reflection we read: Now and then, God’s people of old needed to be reminded of the care with which his love had surrounded and protected them. Now and then we do too! This introduces a canticle from Deuteronomy 32:3-7, 10-12. You may want to read it today. It concludes . . . The Lord alone was their leader, no strange god was with him.
The Philistines do not understand the true source of Israel’s power. Believing it to come from a magic box, they do not comprehend that true power and authority comes from an honest, authentic and humble relationship with God. We hold this in our hands and feet each day. Our power comes from the way we act out our relationship with God. Let us pray for the grace to accept this gift, for the meekness to allow God to work within us, and the serenity that comes from knowing that we are secure in God who has no strange gods with him.
A re-post from November 4, 2011.
Images from: http://areureallyawake.wordpress.com/tag/gods-love/page/2/ and http://www.mishkanministries.org/theark.php
Cameron, Peter John, ed. “Prayer for the Morning.” MAGNIFICAT. 12.1 (2011): Print.
The Noontimes 