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The ark was a treasured...

Illustration
Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B
2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19
The ark was a treasured symbol in Israel. The Israelites carried it in their wilderness travels. When they became a settled people the ark was deposited in the shrine at Shilohr. It was a symbol of the God who marched and dwelt with his people. They took it out of Shiloh and marched against the Philistines. They were defeated and the ark went into captivity. God is evidently not a private possession. But the Philistines discover the ark is like a bit of radioactive waste and strange things happen. It seems God cannot be taken captive and reigns even in defeat.
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