What is the meaning of 1 Samuel 6:20? Who can stand in the presence of the LORD “The men of Beth-shemesh asked, ‘Who can stand in the presence of the LORD…’” (1 Samuel 6:20) • These Israelites had just watched seventy of their own fall because they treated the ark casually (1 Samuel 6:19). The immediate judgment convinced them that God’s presence is not something anyone can simply approach on their own terms. • Scripture consistently shows that mere humans cannot bear God’s unveiled holiness: Moses hid his face at the burning bush (Exodus 3:6), Israel trembled at Sinai (Exodus 19:16-19), and Isaiah cried, “Woe is me!” when he saw the Lord (Isaiah 6:5). • Psalm 24:3-4 echoes the same question: “Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart.” The answer required a righteousness none of us have apart from God’s provision. this holy God? “…this holy God?” (1 Samuel 6:20) • God’s holiness is His utter moral perfection and separation from sin (Leviticus 11:44). It is not an optional attribute but the core of His being. – In 2 Samuel 6:6-9, even David feared when Uzzah touched the ark. The pattern is clear: contact with the holy without proper mediation leads to death. • Holiness reveals both God’s glory and our need: – It exposes sin (Romans 3:23). – It demands atonement; in the Old Covenant that meant sacrifices (Leviticus 16), while in the New Covenant Christ became our perfect sacrifice (Hebrews 10:10). • The men’s dread is therefore logical: encountering perfect holiness while sinful is spiritually—and, as they had just seen, physically—hazardous. To whom should the ark go up from here? “…To whom should the ark go up from here?” (1 Samuel 6:20) • Instead of repenting and seeking proper reverence, the townspeople’s instinct is to send the ark away. Their question reflects both fear and recognition that they cannot host God’s presence in a half-hearted manner. • Similar episodes: – The Gadarenes begged Jesus to depart after He cast out the demons (Luke 8:37). – Peter exclaimed, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man” (Luke 5:8). • God’s presence demands decision: either humble submission and obedience or distancing oneself from Him. Tragically, Beth-shemesh chose distance, and the ark moved to Kiriath-jearim (1 Samuel 7:1). • For believers today, Christ invites us to draw near with confidence because He has made us righteous (Hebrews 4:16; 2 Corinthians 5:21). The lesson remains: God is still holy, and casual familiarity devoid of reverence invites discipline (Acts 5:1-11). summary 1 Samuel 6:20 records a visceral reaction to God’s holiness. Witnessing judgment, the men of Beth-shemesh realized no sinful person can stand before the LORD without His appointed means. Their fear was correct, yet their solution—send the ark away—missed the deeper invitation to repent and honor God properly. The verse therefore reminds us that God’s holiness is both terrifying and beautiful: terrifying when approached irreverently, beautiful when we come through the provision He Himself supplies in Christ. Honor His holiness, trust His provision, and you can stand in His presence with joy. |
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