“Now therefore make a new cart, and take two milch kine, on which there hath come no yoke, and tie the kine to the cart, and bring their calves home from them.”
Context: First, let’s understand the context of 1 Samuel 6:7. In this chapter, the Ark of the Covenant had been captured by the Philistines, and they were afflicted with various plagues as a result of having the ark in their possession. They sought advice from their priests and diviners on how to deal with the situation.
Symbolism and Purpose: The advice given by the Philistine priests was intended to test whether the plagues and troubles the Philistines faced were indeed caused by the God of Israel. The milk cows that had never been yoked before were chosen to symbolize a natural inclination of the cows to return to their calves. By separating the cows from their calves and making them pull the cart with the Ark, the priests wanted to see if the cows would choose to return to their calves or if they would continue towards the land of Israel.
God’s Divine Intervention: The Philistines followed the priests’ advice and placed the Ark on the cart pulled by the two milk cows. Miraculously, the cows headed straight for the land of Israel, lowing as they went, without turning to the right or left. This demonstrated God’s power and intervention, showing that the afflictions faced by the Philistines were indeed a result of the presence of the Ark of the Covenant.
Lessons and Applications:
- God’s Sovereignty: The story highlights God’s sovereignty over all things. Despite the Philistines’ attempts to control the situation, God intervened in a miraculous way, demonstrating His power and authority.
- Testing God’s Will: The Philistine priests devised a test to discern the true cause of their afflictions. While testing God is not always appropriate (as seen in other instances in Scripture), in this particular case, it served as a means for God to reveal Himself to the Philistines and affirm His presence.
- Obedience and Faith: The milk cows, which were naturally inclined to return to their calves, showed obedience and faith by continuing to pull the cart towards Israel instead. This serves as a reminder of the importance of obedience and faithfulness to God’s commands, even when faced with natural inclinations or challenges.
- God’s Presence and Holiness: The reverence for the Ark of the Covenant is evident in this passage. The Philistines recognized the divine power associated with the Ark and were fearful of it. It underscores the significance of God’s presence and the need for reverence in our approach to Him.
In conclusion, 1 Samuel 6:7 reveals God’s sovereignty, the importance of obedience and faith, and the significance of recognizing God’s presence and holiness. It demonstrates how God intervened in the situation and revealed Himself to the Philistines through the actions of the milk cows.
