Manipulating God
This pattern shows a universal belief: physical objects were thought to influence divine outcomes. The Israelites' reliance on the Ark during battle, however, proved unsuccessful, just as pagan idols often failed to deliver what people expected.
This inclination to rely on objects may come from "magical thinking," a psychological tendency to see connections where none exist. Psychologists explain that people, especially during uncertain times, may find comfort in thinking that objects or rituals can influence outcomes. This “illusion of control” (Langer, 1975) helps them feel more secure, even if these objects have no real power.
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Prepared by Dr. James Dennis C. Gumpal, MD, JD
Reading time: 3 minutes
People have long turned to objects, amulets, and religious symbols for luck or blessings, hoping these things might sway divine favor. This is not a new practice. In ancient times, as seen in 1 Samuel 4, the Israelites were facing defeat, so they brought the Ark of the Covenant into battle, believing it would bring victory. This act of depending on an object instead of a real relationship with God resembles pagan practices where amulets, statues, or idols were seen as tools to control divine power.
Across cultures, people used religious items to seek blessings, protection, or victory. For example, in ancient Egypt, soldiers wore amulets of Sekhmet, a lion-headed goddess of war, believing she would protect them. Similarly, Canaanites set up Asherah poles to gain blessings for fertility, and Greeks honored statues of gods like Zeus or Apollo to secure victory.
In our country, various religious objects and amulets, often called “anting-anting” or “agimat”, hold significant cultural and spiritual meaning. These objects are believed to provide protection, healing, or supernatural powers.
In high-stress situations, such as exams, people often reach for anything that provides a sense of control. Religious objects, by creating a sense of comfort, help reduce anxiety. Boyer (2001) notes that sacred items allow people to feel closer to the divine, calming fears about the unknown and making them feel that they have a way to influence fate.
However, the story in 1 Samuel 4 reminds us of the importance of placing trust in God rather than objects. The Israelites' dependence on the Ark instead of a real connection with God mirrored the disobedience seen in the corrupt behavior of their priests, Eli’s sons. These priests, described as "scoundrels" in 1 Samuel, showed contempt for their duties, demanding the best offerings for themselves and mistreating worshipers. Their actions symbolized a broader issue: Israel’s leaders were failing to honor God, leading to moral decline among the people.
The Ark was never meant to be a magical object. Instead, it represented a covenant with God, reminding the Israelites of His promise. By viewing it as a tool to manipulate God, the Israelites misunderstood its purpose. Their defeat by the Philistines underscored that God’s power cannot be controlled through rituals or objects. God values a faithful relationship over-reliance on objects representing Him or His power.
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The story of Israel’s defeat and the Ark's capture serves as a timeless lesson for today:
Prioritize Relationship Over Rituals: Like the Israelites, it’s easy to focus on religious objects or practices while forgetting the need for a real connection with God.
Embrace Obedience and Integrity: The judgment on Eli’s family serves as a reminder that integrity and accountability matter in our spiritual lives.
Accountability Among Leaders and Believers: God’s judgment shows that leaders, in particular, bear responsibility for guiding their communities in righteousness.
See Crises as Wake-Up Calls: The Israelites' defeat forced them to reflect on their faith. Similarly, challenges in life can be an invitation to examine and renew our relationship with God.
Instead of manipulating God, let us trust in Him instead, knowing that He cares about us. He sent His Son Jesus to die for us so we may live the abundant life He prepared for use. (John 10:10)
ENDNOTES:
[1] Cognitive bias refers to systematic patterns of deviation from rationality in judgment, where individuals make illogical or irrational decisions based on subjective perception or emotional influence rather than objective evidence. These biases often stem from the brain’s attempt to simplify information processing, leading to errors in thinking, memory, and evaluation.
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