In spite of the Ark, they were still defeated.

The Bible records a long-lasting conflict between the Israelites and the Philistines. This conflict was over more than land issues; it also involved divergent worldviews. Unlike the Israelites, the Philistines served human-made deities and were known as violent, warlike people.

The Old Testament, records seven major battles between Israel and Philistines, namely, the Battle of Shephelah (2 Chronicles 28), the Battle of Aphek (1 Samuel 4), the Battle of Eben-Ezez (1 Samuel 7:13–14), the battles at Michmash (1 Samuel 14), the battle involving David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17), the battle at Mount Gilboa (1 Samuel 31), and Hezekiah’s defeat of the Philistines (2 Kings 18:5–8).

I'm interested in reflecting this morning on

why were the Israelites defeated even though they had the ark of the covenant with them at Ébène-Èzèr? The suggested answer is that the Israelites vainly supposed that carrying the ark of the covenant into battle would save them. However, they had departed from the commandments and ways of the Lord. They had lost their relationship, their intimacy, and their true strength in the Lord.

Mere lips service can never be a sign of the efficacity of God's presence in our lives, but worship in spirit and truth is.

Fr. Georges Roger Bidzogo sac