“Now build a new cart, and find two cows that have just given birth to calves. Make sure the cows have never been yoked to a cart. Hitch the cows to the cart, but shut their calves away from them in a pen. Put the Ark of the Lord on the cart, and beside it place a chest containing the gold rats and gold tumors you are sending as a guilt offering. Then let the cows go wherever they want. If they cross the border of our land and go to Beth-shemesh, we will know it was the Lord who brought this great disaster upon us. If they don’t, we will know it was not his hand that caused the plague. It came simply by chance.” [1 Samuel 6.7-9]
I'm no rancher and I certainly know little whatsoever about cattle. However, I do know that cows with young calves are not easily separated from them! I have been around cows that have had their calves taken from them - they are noticeably disturbed and keep searching for their calves for some time.
For the Philistines to hitch two cows like this to the cart carrying the Ark of God and think there was any chance whatsoever that the cows would deliver the cart anywhere (for that matter) and not seek out and stay by their calves was ludicrous! But they had an idea just how powerful the God of Israel really is!
The shame of this story is that ungodly Philistines showed more faith in this event of self-preservation than most people would ever dare to display. Mind you, these people were suffering with great tumors - they needed relief, and what did they do? They made impossible circumstances for God to overcome in order that they might know it was God doing it! What did it matter? Why didn't they just take the Ark back themselves?
I've read this story many times, and it seems as fresh to me today as ever. God sows Himself strong in in the most impossible situations.
Father, I believe You have spoken to my heart about impossible situations and how You are completely able to overcome them! Thank You!
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