Vere. 17-21.-'l.'rophies and chastuement. The facts are-1. An ent1meration by the Israelites of the golden images sent with the ark. 2. A terrible chastisement ·on the men of Beth-shemesh for their profane curiosity. 3. An effort to send the ark away, consequent on the terror created. These closing incidents of the restora- tion introduce £or consideration- I. The TROPHIES WON IN THE CONFLICT WITH foes of the Church of God. Tl,e golden emerods and mice were expressions of pagan superstition, and yet of sub- mission to the superior power of Jehovah. In so far as they represented the five lords of the country, they were, in the eyes of Israel, evidenC'e of the extent to which the might of Jehovah had been recognised. As the pot of manna and Aaron's rod were kept as memorials of what God had done, and prophetic of what he would do, so these images were noted in the annals of the time as signs of the same power in conquest. The remembrance of them would inspire courage, and also suggest d,_e fear. The Chitrch of Christ has won many trrphies. Christ himself has led "cap- tivity captive." He has in many instances snatched learning, science, art, states- manship, and literature from the hand of the enemy, and made them contribute to the splendour of hiR kingdom. The extent to which trophies have been gathered -deserves a register as truly as that given of the offerings of the Philistine lords. A calm reflection on this subject will inspire the Church for new efforts, and awake11 gratitude for the past. II. CHASTISEMENT FOR SINS OF PROFANITY. The joy of restoration was soon 'beclouded by the sorrow of death. The death of seventy men for the sin of treating the ark of God profanely raises the question of what there can be in such sins tu merit so severe a chastisement. A general answer to such a question is that we are not in a position to detem1ine for God the form, time, or extent of punishment due to sin. None can adjudge sin correctly but the perfectly holy One. There may he far more in an act than comes to the surface. Hence a reverent spirit is mostly concerned to know the fact. But there are a few considerations which may throw a little light on the apparent severity of the chastisement. 1. The essential evil of the Bin. Much difficulty arises from not considering that some sins, and this especially, -are a most virulent moral poison. They are at the very antipodes to the true spirit of Jove and obedience. Hence the dire consequences of their prevalence come more sharply into view when we remember the special contagion of example in such cases as these ; for profanity of spirit is easily caught from example, and at once lowera the entire nature of a man. 2. The liability to fall into it. Not only is the sir heinous, and spread by example, but there is a predisposition to it which gives to the slightest encouragement from without double power. The evil already in man is good soil for such seed. If a sinful nature means aversion to a holy God, then it requires only a small encouragement to turn that aversio11 into the positive form of disregard of the Divine presence. 3. The privileges of tlte transgressors. Punish- ment is always proportionate to privilege abused. As officials in the service of God, the Levites were doubly criminal. Those who grow up amidst the sanctities and quiet reverence of the sanctuary or pious home commit deadly sin when they think or act towards God profanely. Had we all the details of the behaviour of the men of Beth-shemesh, no doubt the grossness of their conduct would stand out in £earful contrast with the privileges they had enjoyed as servants of the altar. 4. The bear- ing on ages to come. Every sin bears on the future, and so does its punishment. The deterrent effect of punishment is important; and its infliction with this refer- ence is equitable, seeing that the sin acts on others and in ages to come. The effect of the death of the men at Beth-shemesh was seen in the salutary fear that came on all. " This holy Lord God!" It was a great gain to the world to have driven home this great truth. Nor would the effect end there. God has taught the entire world by the terrible things in righteousness which have been recorded. Here is one of the means of the education of the future race. Men are more revere11t for what they read in the Old Testament. 5. The infliction of death is a prerogative of God. God sets the appointed time. Temporal death iR _not less of Goe\ wl!en it comes g·radually. Its direct infliction is the form in wl11l'h lie marks Ins disfavour and impresses his C'reatures. If seve11ty men sin, and (•0111mit in the civil-religious stat& of Israel a capital crime (Num. iv. 5, 15, 20), they uf cuurse must pay the prescribed 118 THE FlRST BOOK OF S.UiUEL. [en. vr. 1--21.
pe_nalty. It_ is an awful th_ing to die by t_hc sudden stroke of God, but a more awful thmg to be m a state of rmnd to deserve 1t. Prac~ical l~sson.! :-1. Let ns keep watch o:er the first rising·s of a spirit of levity. 2. CultJYate_ m young ai:id old, by all conceivable means, rever~rce for all thing·s C'onnected ,nth the worship of God. 3. Remember that the seventy of God is really mercy to his creatures as a whole.