And the men of Beth-shemesh said, Who is able to stand before this holy LORD God? and to whom shall he go up from us?
The cry arose at Beth-shemesh after the ark had returned there, when many were slain for looking into it and opening it, for the ark was the symbol of God's presence. Irreverent curiosity about the ark brought judgment, and in its aftermath the men recognized they could not presume to stand before the holy Lord. Their question confesses that the Lord God is holy and powerful, and that no one can stand before Him or approach Him casually. To treat what God has declared sacred as common is a grave offense that brings danger and judgment.
By asking to whom He shall go up from them, the men showed fear of remaining in God's presence and wanted the ark taken away from them. That fear of being in God's presence led to sending the ark to Kirjath-jearim. Their irreverence toward the ark was disrespect for God's law, for to despise the law is to despise its Author. The law is ordained for life and expresses God's love, but to the transgressor it brings death.
Jesus made the law honorable and died to satisfy its claims, so that through His imputed righteousness people may be reconciled to God and escape the punishment for disobedience.
The cry arose at Beth-shemesh after the ark had returned there, when many were slain for looking into it and opening it, for the ark was the symbol of God's presence. Irreverent curiosity about the ark brought judgment, and in its aftermath the men recognized they could not presume to stand before the holy Lord. Their question confesses that the Lord God is holy and powerful, and that no one can stand before Him or approach Him casually. To treat what God has declared sacred as common is a grave offense that brings danger and judgment.
By asking to whom He shall go up from them, the men showed fear of remaining in God's presence and wanted the ark taken away from them. That fear of being in God's presence led to sending the ark to Kirjath-jearim. Their irreverence toward the ark was disrespect for God's law, for to despise the law is to despise its Author. The law is ordained for life and expresses God's love, but to the transgressor it brings death.
Jesus made the law honorable and died to satisfy its claims, so that through His imputed righteousness people may be reconciled to God and escape the punishment for disobedience.