An encouraging word from 1 Samuel 6
Biblical Israel Ministries & Tours (BIMT) is all about teaching the Bible in the context of the land of Israel and other biblical countries (Jordan, Egypt, Turkey, Greece, and Italy). We teach the historical geography of the Bible as well as archaeology, customs and culture of the land. We aim to make connections between the Bible and the land in all that we do.
This is another session in the new series of teaching videos called “Devotions from Israel.” This brief five-minute devotional comes from 1 Samuel 6. This narrative from the Bible takes us to the Sorek Valley and the ancient cites of Ekron and Beth Shemesh.
About the Devotional
How often are you being surprised by God? It’s an interesting question, isn’t it. A good friend of mine in Jerusalem always says, “If you are not regularly being surprised by God, you may not be walking with Him.” He is right. Truth is, when we walk by faith and look for the ways God intervenes in all our circumstances of life, there just may be a “surprise” around the steps we take on our journey of faith. Certainly in the story of 1 Samuel 6, God surprised the Israelites in an incredible way!
Back a few chapters earlier (1 Samuel 4), the Philistines captured the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark was taken to two Philistine cities before arriving at Ekron. Located along the Sorek Valley, this Philistine city was only about five miles west of Beth Shemesh and Israelite territory. In a rather interesting way, the Ark was placed on a cart drawn by two cows. The Philstines were eager to return it to the Israelites.
“If we are not being regularly surprised by God, it may be because we are not walking in faith with God.” – Moshe
One day, the Israelites, who were harvesting their wheat in the valley, looked westward and saw the Ark on the cart coming towards them. They were totally surprised how God chose to intervene on their behalf. Upon its return, the Ark was placed on a large stone. While we can’t be certain, some archaeologists believe they uncovered this stone within an eleventh century BC temple-like structure within the ancient city of Beth Shemesh.
God still does surprise us in the ways He works in our lives. The concept of what some call a coincidence is oftentimes simply God working in disguise on our behalf! The key in life is to be on the lookout for God and the surprising ways He intervenes on our behalf. He does this out of His goodness and grace.
I hope you enjoy this video below. These five minute devotionals will be produced on a regular basis. We are sharing two devotionals per week this summer. As you are encouraged by the video, please consider sharing this post with others for their encouragement as well.