61. And delivered his strength into captivity. The ark was captured by the Philistines in battle, only because the
Lord for the punishment of Israel chose to deliver it into their hands,
otherwise they could have had no power at all against it. It was a black day
when the mercy-seat was removed. And his glory into the enemy’s hand.
The ark was the place for the revealed glory of God, and his enemies exulted
greatly when they bore it away into their own cities. Nothing could more
clearly have shown the divine displeasure. It seemed to say that Jehovah would
sooner dwell among his avowed adversaries than among so false a people as
Israel. This was a fearful downfall for the favored nation, and it was followed
by dire judgments of most appalling nature. When God is gone all is gone. No
calamity can equal the withdrawal of the divine presence from a people. Who
shall help thee now that thy God has left thee?
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