Good afternoon, everyone!
Today I read 1 Samuel 4-8.
And there is a lot I could cover about these chapters, but I want to focus on just one thing today.
So, the Philistines are fighting the Israelites, and they are winning. So the Israelites make the decision to bring the Ark of the Covenant into their camp so they will win.
But it backfires.
The Philistines capture the Ark of the Covenant.
And that's bad for the Israelites. Worse for the Philistines.
They take the Ark and place it in the temple of their god, Dagon. In the morning, when they checked on it, Dagon was face-down on the floor in front of the Ark. The put him in his place again, upright. And the next day, he is again face-down on the floor before the Ark of the Lord. But this time, his head and hands have been broken off.
I find this to be truly amazing.
The Lord God of Israel is the Lord of lords, King of kings, and God over all gods. No one can stand before Him. Not even other gods. Because He is the One and Only.
So, the Philistines are starting to freak out again.
And with good reason. See, God is angry.
And tumors and other horrible things start to happen to the Philistines in Ashod.
When they ask for advice, the adviser tells them to make offerings to God, and return the Ark, all the while remembering Egypt and what happened there.
And then the Philistines make offerings to God. Proper offerings. Guilt offerings. And they return the Ark to its proper place.
No one can make God do anything. No one can steal from Him. Even other gods cannot stand before Him. Even people who don't serve Him, will stand in awe of His might.
I hope you'll join me tomorrow when I read 1 Samuel 9-12.
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