June 21 & 22, 2025
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Reading along with us in 1 Samuel and Mark? Here’s today’s reading:
1 Samuel 5 (NIV)
The Ark in Ashdod and Ekron
1 After the Philistines had captured the ark of God, they took it from Ebenezer to Ashdod. 2 Then they carried the ark into Dagon’s temple and set it beside Dagon. 3 When the people of Ashdod rose early the next day, there was Dagon, fallen on his face on the ground before the ark of the Lord! They took Dagon and put him back in his place.…..Continue Reading
Who gets the ark quickly became a game of “not it”! Rather than proudly displaying their plunder, they have stollen this holy thing that is literally killing you because you refuse to see and accept God’s power! Your idols fall on their face in the presence of the ark and the one true God.
While this chapter brought me some comic relief, it was also so sad to see these people acknowledge what was happening but still not turn from the error of their ways. The God of Israel was not just some trinket or statue fashioned by man’s hand but actually the one who made man. So rather than accept God and the blessing that comes from a life lived in Him, like so many still today, they run from it, push it away, and continue in a life of sinful choices that bring temporary pleasure and long term destruction.
What could be a clearer sign that the God of Israel is greater than the Philistine’s god than what happens in this chapter? And it is quite comical to worship a god that has to be propped back up. And yes, how could they not connect the power and correction of God toward them and then not choose to worship Him and throw out their other gods. It just goes to show the rebellious and blind heart of mankind and how our God is still the only true God and is the only One worthy of faith and worship.
1 Samuel 5
1 Samuel 5 & 6
1 Samuel 5
Dagon falls on his/its face because of the Ark of the Lord.
I think of the “gods” people favor/worship/trust over the Lord God despite their impotence. I think part of the problem is us, humans, we like a god we can control and predict. God is not predictable, but He is trustworthy and good.