Casual Disrespect

1Sa 6:19 And he smote the men of Bethshemesh, because they had looked into the ark of the LORD, even he smote of the people fifty thousand and threescore and ten men: and the people lamented, because the LORD had smitten many of the people with a great slaughter.

The Ark of the covenant had been treated casually; are we to be casual with the LORD? The Ark was taken to the battle zone, and Israel suffered a great defeat and the Ark was stolen into the enemies country. Who can steal the presence of God? Perhaps we do when we behave as if he is some lucky charm or we treat him as a genie in the bottle to fulfill our own will. God is not our servant nor a magic show to be used in place of our obedience to him. The Ark was taken and set as a gift before their idol, Dagon. Dagon fell on it's face and was broken in pieces before the Ark. The enemy did not benefit from the LORD's presence in the Ark, instead they received judgment. We casually call for the fire to fall in our services, but are we ready? That fire may fall in judgment, to burn up anything that is not holy.

The Holy Spirit brings judgment. No sin may stand before our Holy God.

John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
John 16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

The Ark brought judgment in the enemy land; boils, tumors, hemorhoids and rats and mice. Golden idols of these were made to try to appease the God of Israel and they were placed next to the Ark. The Ark of the Covenant had been in the land of the Philistines for seven months.

There was a great shout of joy when the Ark was returned. Wouldn't we like revival in our land? But, they were curious and went beyond the law in opening the Ark. No flesh can look casually upon God and live. The King James version, and the new KJV says that there were fifty thousand three hundred seven men killed from looking into the Ark. Other translations say there were seventy men killed from looking into the holy Ark. The important thing is that many died from transgressing the commands of God.

America do you want the presence of the LORD? Then repent and make yourself ready. The way is by faith in the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, there is no other way. If you make your own way, then Jesus will judge you at his coming. What of all these tornados, earthquakes, floods? Well, perhaps the LORD is trying to wake us up? All these things must come before the end.

What lesson can we learn from this story? Some speak of letting God out of the box; well you had better not be lifting the box lid. The way to his presence is through Jesus Christ. The LORD is holy and must be approached with a humble Heart. There is a proper place for God's presence. The place is in our hearts, the way is through Jesus. If we do our own thing, we will be judged, so be obedient, respect God, come to Jesus for the removal of your sins and live a holy obedient life because he works in and through you.

1Pe 1:15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;

Rom 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: