The Ark of God - Taken and Returned

 

The Ark of God – Taken and Returned

What shall we do with the ark of the God of Israel? 1 Samuel 5:8

Hymn 105: Enter Into God’s Presence

 

The Lord’s Prayer (Luke 11:2-4)

 

Psalm 61 –– Lead me to The  Rock …  

 

Bible Readings:

·       The Ark Taken to Battle: 1 Samuel 4:1-18

·       The Enemies’ gods Worship Jehovah: 1 Samuel 5:1-8; 6:1-3

·       The Ark Returned and Sanctified: 1 Samuel 7:1-6

·       God’s Blessings are Boundless: 1 Cor 5:17-21

·          A Peculiar People: Romans 9:1-5, 26-28

 

Summary of Readings

§   The Tabernacle was a place where God met with His People – a figure of His Spirit for us to dwell in as we travel through the “wilderness” of life in this world

§   The Ark of the Covenant signified God’s Presence, and He appeared as a Cloud in the daytime and a Pillar of Fire by night over the Tabernacle

§   Although God had emphasised the Holiness of the The Ark, and only certain of the Priests or carers were to touch it, the people thought that having God’s Presence close would help them in battle

§   We can imagine Eli’s deep concern when The Ark was taken from the Holy of Holies to the battlefield; when the news of its capture was heard Eli was mortified!

§   God continued to show His authority over other gods in such a way that even unbelievers were forced to believe

§   When The Ark was returned to its rightful place, and treated in the way commanded, the custodians were blessed

§   The evil in us causes us to reject God’s Presence in our lives, but He will receive us back if we personally turn our lives and follow His commandments

§   God is Holy and wants us to be wholly holy - in spirit and soul and body - as we await the outpouring of His Spirit in the Latter Days, and the return of Jesus Christ to this earth to establish the Kingdom promised to Israel.

 Hymn 100:  Nourished by Living Bread

Message

 Hymn 96:  Return to God’s Favour

Doxology