From little on, children are told the story of the Golden Calf, the idol erected by Aaron while Moses was on Mount Sinai receiving the Ten Commandments. How quickly the Israelites turned to the false gods of the Egyptians in attempting to solve their problems! Less familiar, perhaps, is the account of the golden rats and the golden tumors (1 Samuel chapters 5-6). What can we learn from it?
The high priest Eli had two wicked and rebellious sons named Hophni and Phinehas. God prophesied through Samuel that Eli’s family would be punished. This was fulfilled when the sons foolishly brought the Ark of the Covenant to the battlefield against the Philistines, thinking that the presence of the Ark would guarantee an Israelite victory. Not only were the Israelites soundly defeated and the sons killed, but also the Ark fell into enemy hands. When Eli found out what had happened, he fell backward off his seat, broke his neck, and died.
At first, the Philistines rejoiced that they now possessed the Ark of their enemy. Their joy did not last long. They placed the Ark next to their idol, Dagon. In the days following, Dagon’s statue fell and his limbs were broken off. For seven long months, wherever the Ark was taken, deadly tumors and rat infestation plagued Philistine cities. It was determined that the Ark must be returned before further destruction could occur. How could this best be done?
In the hopes of pacifying the God of Israel, the Philistines decided that a trespass offering of five golden rats and five golden tumors should be presented with the Ark. Five were chosen because five territories had been struck by the plague. To transport the Ark, they yoked two milking cows, separated from their calves, to a cart without a driver. Contrary to nature, the cows headed directly to Israelite territory, ignoring their instinct to be with their calves.
The Israelites of Beth Shemesh welcomed the Ark with a celebration of burnt offerings and sacrifices, including the two cows. Unfortunately, some of the revelers not only touched the Ark, but peeked into it. This was strictly forbidden by God (Leviticus 16). As a result, God struck down many Israelites that day. In response to this punishment, the people cried, “Who is able to stand before this holy Lord God?” (I Samuel 6:20) The Ark was then taken to Kirjath Jearim and housed with Abinadab. It remained there for twenty years.
Samuel continued to admonish the Israelites, and urged them to stop worshiping idols and to return to the true God. Finally, they heeded his words and did so. God then gave them a victory over the Philistines and restored to them the territory they had lost.
What can we learn from this account? God takes His promises seriously! As He had prophesied, Eli’s family was punished for the disobedience of his sons, who wrongly put their trust in the Ark rather than the God it represented. We learn that false gods are no match for the true God! Dagon crumbled in the presence of the Ark. God used rats and tumors to humble the enemies of His people and to have the Ark returned. God prefers obedience to sacrifice (I Samuel 15:22)! Residents of Beth Shemesh disobeyed God’s commands regarding the Ark and suffered the consequences. Most importantly, however, we learn of the great patience and love God has shown us sinners! The Ark was preserved, His chosen people spared, and the promise of a Savior from sin was kept! Thanks be to the one true God.
is a professor at Immanuel Lutheran College in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.