530
Patriarchs and Prophets
it with a costly trespass offering. “Then,” said the priests, “ye shall
be healed, and it shall be known to you why His hand is not removed
from you.”
To ward off or to remove a plague, it was anciently the custom
among the heathen to make an image in gold, silver, or other material,
of that which caused the destruction, or of the object or part of the body
specially affected. This was set up on a pillar or in some conspicuous
place, and was supposed to be an effectual protection against the evils
thus represented. A similar practice still exists among some heathen
peoples. When a person suffering from disease goes for cure to the
temple of his idol, he carries with him a figure of the part affected,
which he presents as an offering to his god.
It was in accordance with the prevailing superstition that the Philis-
tine lords directed the people to make representations of the plagues by
which they had been afflicted—“five golden emerods, and five golden
mice, according to the number of the lords of the Philistines: for,” said
they, “one plague was on you all, and on your lords.”
These wise men acknowledged a mysterious power accompanying
the ark—a power which they had no wisdom to meet. Yet they did
not counsel the people to turn from their idolatry to serve the Lord.
They still hated the God of Israel, though compelled by overwhelming
judgments to submit to His authority. Thus sinners may be convinced
by the judgments of God that it is in vain to contend against Him. They
may be compelled to submit to His power, while at heart they rebel
against His control. Such submission cannot save the sinner. The heart
must be yielded to God—must be subdued by divine grace—before
man’s repentance can be accepted.
How great is the long-suffering of God toward the wicked! The
idolatrous Philistines and backsliding Israel had alike enjoyed the gifts
of His providence. Ten thousand unnoticed mercies were silently
[588]
falling in the pathway of ungrateful, rebellious men. Every blessing
spoke to them of the Giver, but they were indifferent to His love. The
forbearance of God was very great toward the children of men; but
when they stubbornly persisted in their impenitence, He removed from
them His protecting hand. They refused to listen to the voice of God in
His created works, and in the warnings, counsels, and reproofs of His
word, and thus He was forced to speak to them through judgments.