Under Gods Command
The Ark Returned to Israel
1 Samuel 6:1-3 1When the ark of the LORD had been in Philistine territory seven months, 2the Philistines called for the priests and the diviners and said, “What shall we do with the ark of the LORD? Tell us how we should send it back to its place.”
3They answered, “If you return the ark of the god of Israel, do not send it back to him without a gift; by all means send a guilt offering to him. Then you will be healed, and you will know why his hand has not been lifted from you.”
What was this guilt offering supposed to accomplish? This was a normal reaction to trouble in the Canaanite religion. The Philistines thought their problems were the result of their gods being angry. They recognized their guilt in taking the ark and now were trying everything they could to appease Israel’s God. The diviners (6:2) probably helped choose the gift they thought would please Yahweh. But the offering consisted of images of tumors and rats, not the kind of guilt offering prescribed in God’s laws (Leviticus 5:14–6:7; 7:1-10). How easy it is to design our own methods of acknowledging God rather than serving him in the way he requires.
The Philistines had ample evidence that the God of Israel was greater than all gods. Their leaders gave him some token gifts, not out of worship, but in order to remove the plague.
Lets Bring it Home: God does not want tokens of our time and resources. He desires true heartfelt devotion. Our participation in worship services and our contributions please him only when they flow from a heart of love.
Under Gods command 