The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-02-20
;UNDAY SCHOOL.
Lesson vIII.-First Quarter, For
Feb. FL, 1915.
THE INTERNATIONAL SERIES.


Rev. D. m. Stsarns.
AS we read this chapter and the
two following and vii. 1. 2. we cannot.
but notice the frequent mention of the
ark of the Lord, or the ark of God. or
some Of It's other titles. and when We
recall that it was the principal vessel
in the tabernacle and the only one
Of all the tabernacle vessels that con-
tinued to be used In the temple of
Solomon, that it was made specially to
be receptacle for the two tables of
the law, that over its blood stained
lid or mercy seat and between the
cherubim the glory of the Lord was
revealed and that from above the mcr-
cy seat the Lord communed with
Moses. we must be persuaded that this
vessel had wonderful significance.
And when We read in Rev. II. 10, of
the temple Of God in heaven being
opened and there being seen in 1t the
ark of His Testament we stand in still
greater awe before this holy vessel.
1t is mentioned forty times in the
books Of Moses and twenty-eight times
In Joshua. chiefly in connection with
the crossing of the Jordan. In our
lesson chapter and those following it
is mentioned thirty-seven times. SO that
we can easily see that the interest CEN
ters upon it.
Lesson verse 2 shows us Israel smit-
ten before the Philistines. and we
think that we hear again the words Of
Joshua 20 Lord, what shall I say
when Israel turneth their backs before
their enemies?" Josh. VII. 81 But, as
then, so now, It was because of sin in
the camp. AS the elders considered
the present defeat they did not seem
to think that the difficulty might be
with Israel. nor did they turn to the
Lord. but said, Let us fetch the ark
Of the covenant of the Lord that it
may save u.s. verse 81. The presence
Of the ark caused Israel to shout with
great shout, and when the Philistines
understood that 1t was because the
ark was come into the camp they said
that God was come into the camp, the
gods that smote the Egyptians. On
the part of both Israel and the PhiIis-
tines 1t seemed like pure superstition.
The latter knew no better, but for Is
rael to put confidence in the ark rather
than in the Lord reminds us of their
worship of Aaron's golden calf and,
away beyond the time of this lesson,
their worship Of the serpent of brass
Oh Kings xviii. ~.
Is 1t not the same today with those
who think there is any benefit In the
mere reading Of chapter in the Bible.
or saying a prayer. or taking the com
munion, or in any religious formality1
Anything that is not real heart deal
ing with the Living God is only form
Of superstition. The Philistines were
stirred to great fervor by the cry of
their leaders. "Be strong; quit your
selves like men and fight" (verse 81.
and the Lord delivered Israel into their
hands SO that 10000 were slain, in
cluding Els two sons. and the ark Of
God was taken oversees 10. III. Poor
old Ell waited with fear and trembling
for tidings from the battle, and when
he heard the sad news and that the
ark Of God had been taken he fell
OF his seat backward and broke his
neck and died. He was ninety eight
years old and had judged Israel forty
years (verses 12-1S). think that while
outwardly It was broken neck 1t may
have been nwardly broken heart.
In the same day it seems as IL Phine-
has wife was also taken away (verses
1922. so that great calamity came
to the house Of Eli In one day I'll. 34).
Thus suddenly have great events trans
pired again and again, and so shall 10
be at the end time.
The story Of the ark in the hands Of
the Philistines chapters and VII
makes us think of Jerusalem, bur-
densome stone for all people, and that
all that burden themselves with 1t shall
be cut in pieces tZech. xii. 81. The
Philistines found the ark very griev-
GUS thing to have in their midst, and
after a few months tvi. II they were
glad to send it back to Israel. The
story of the new cart and the two milk
cows tied to 1t, with their calves shut
up at home and the cows taking the
straight way to Beth-Shemesh, lowing
as they went, but not turning aside to
the right hand or to the left wi, 7-12,,
is a wonderful record of the hand of
the Lord upon dumb beasts and brings
to mind the dominion over all sheep
and oxen, beasts of the field, fowl Of
the air and fish of the sea that has
had some foreshadowings all the way
along, but will be fully seen when the
kingdom comes Cps. viii. SO; Heb. Il.
s, o..
The men of Beth-Sbemesh rejoiced
greatly to welcome the ark. and they
offered burnt offerings and sacrifices
unto the Lord, but they made sad
mistake when they looked into the
ark. and they suffered greatly for It.
AS we said at the beginning Of this
study. the ark was made to keep the
holy law Of God. which Israel could
not keep. The blood sprinkled upon
the mercy seat from year to year Uev.
xvii told Of the demands Of the law
met by substitute. even Christ, the
end of the law for righteousness to
every one that believeth from. x, A..
Life never was nor could be by the
law. which can only bring us all in
guilty before God and Is therefore
sailed the ministration of death tGal.