1 Samuel 6:7 “…get a new cart ready, with two cows that have calved and never been yoked. Hitch the cows to the cart, but take their calves away and pen them up.”
Commentary helped me understand this passage in a way I would never have understood on my own. The Philistines set even this up as a test. The fact that the cows had just calved and the calves were penned means the maternal instinct to care for their young would be very strong in the cows. The fact that they had never been yoked meant that the yoke was not natural for them and they would fight against it. Additionally, there was no driver to direct them nor keep them focused. If they went straight to Beth Shemesh, the Philistines figured, then the God of Israel must be responsible for their curse.
1 Samuel 6:10 So they did this. They took two such cows and hitched them to the cart and penned up their calves.
To recap: The Israelites treat the ark as a good luck charm. The Philistines, who have been facing one trial after another since capturing the ark aren’t convinced the God of Israel is behind their suffering. And the cows are devised as a test. And despite lowing all the way to show their displeasure at being hitched and away from their calves, the cows went straight to Beth Shemesh, without turning to the right or left. That’s God, my friends.
1 Samuel 6:12 Then the cows went straight up toward Beth Shemesh, keeping in the road and lowing all the way; they did not turn to the right or left….
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. We try to complicate things so often, Lord, setting up tests and hoops for You to try to discern Your presence or Your will. Help us to hone in on You, Lord, not our perception of You or our desired outcome from You. Help us to cling to You and praise You always. Amen.
1 Samuel 6:14 The cart came to the field of Joshua of Beth Shemesh, and there it stopped beside a large rock….
Have a blessed day.
My faith, my life, my teaching–it's all a work in progress.