The Ark of the Lord returns to Israel and the people rejoice to see it in much the same way the dicsciple must have rejoiced to see the risen Lord Jesus, they offered a sacrifice unto the Lord using the wood from the cart and the cows that had pulled the cart back, these were expensive commodities in those days. However it wasn't long before the men of Bethshemesh became curious to know what was actually in the Ark, so they opened it and the Lord kiled them for it. This shows that there are some things that God has chosen not to reveal to us and it is sin to press God to try an find out things that He does not want to reveal to us. This judgement lead to a great fear spreading over the people as they realized the holiness of God, that God is not man and is far beyond us and thus is seperate from us. This is what attracts people to God because He is beyond us, but when people come to know Him and see his holiness and 'otherness' we become fearful as we are not holy before a holy God. But praise God there is someone who can stand between us and God, the Lord Jesus.
