Context No. 3222 of 4322 · 1 Samuel

1 Samuel 6:1-6: in context

1The LORD’s ark was in the country of the Philistines seven months. 2The Philistines called for the priests and the diviners, saying, “What shall we do with the LORD’s ark? Show us how we should send it to its place.” 3They said, “If you send away the ark of the God of Israel, don’t send it empty; but by all means return a trespass offering to him. Then you will be healed, and it will be known to you why his hand is not removed from you.” 4Then they said, “What should the trespass offering be which we shall return to him?” They said, “Five golden tumors and five golden mice, for the number of the lords of the Philistines; for one plague was on you all, and on your lords. 5Therefore you shall make images of your tumors and images of your mice that mar the land; and you shall give glory to the God of Israel. Perhaps he will release his hand from you, from your gods, and from your land. 6Why then do you harden your hearts as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? When he had worked wonderfully among them, didn’t they let the people go, and they departed?

The ark of the LORD has plagued the Philistines for seven months, and they are desperate to send it back. Their priests advise them not to send it away empty but with a guilt offering of gold. And they add a warning: why should you harden your hearts as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? When God dealt harshly with them, did they not finally let Israel go?

Even the Philistine priests grasp a truth: do not harden your hearts as Pharaoh did. They had seen the ark bring plague, and they knew the old story of Egypt, how Pharaoh's stubbornness only multiplied his ruin until he at last released Israel. So they urge, do not repeat his mistake; give glory to the God of Israel and send the ark home. It is striking that pagans learned from Egypt's example the folly of hardening the heart against God's hand. Sometimes outsiders see clearly what God's own people miss: that resisting God's dealings only brings more suffering, and the wise response is to yield.

When God's hand is heavy on me, do I harden my heart like Pharaoh, or learn from his example to yield and give God glory before matters grow worse?

Sources

1 Samuel 6:6: "Why then do you harden your hearts as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts?"
1 Samuel 6:5: "Give glory to the God of Israel. Perhaps he will release his hand from you."
Exodus 8:15: "When Pharaoh saw that there was a respite, he hardened his heart."