Good Morning Friends,
The Philistines had captured the Ark of the Covenant in the battle against Israel. That was a great victory for them. They had defeated the God of Israel, proving that their god (Dagon) was stronger than Israel’s God. At least that’s what they thought! The capture of the Ark was God’s discipline upon Israel, but He also used it as an opportunity to reveal Himself and His power to the Philistines, although they didn’t listen.
They took the Ark to Ashdod and put it in the temple of Dagon and each morning that it was there they found the idol to Dagon fallen on its face before the Ark. On the second morning the idol had not only fallen on its face but its head and hands had broken off. (1 Samuel 5:4) The people of Ashdod were afflicted with tumors and under great distress. Instead of ridding themselves of their idols and turning to worship the Lord God, the Philistines removed the Ark from Ashdod took it to the city of Gath.
In Gath the story was much the same. The whole city was thrown into a panic (1 Samuel 5:9). The men and women of Gath, both young and old were also afflicted with tumors. God was demonstrating His power. But, again, the people of Gath did not bow down to worship the Lord God. Instead, they sent the Ark away from Gath to the city of Ekron.
As the Ark was entering Ekron the people cried out, “They have brought the Ark of the God of Israel around to us to kill us and our people.” (1 Samuel 5:10) That city, too, was filled with panic and its people afflicted with tumors and death. Again, they responded not with worship, but with a desire to get rid of the Ark.
In the end, the Philistines wanted to get rid of the Ark and sent gifts of gold with it as an offering of appeasement to the Lord. They recognized that God was not pleased with them and wanted to assuage their guilt before Him. When they removed the Ark from their own territory they used a final test to be sure it was the God of Israel who had afflicted them and not just chance. They put the Ark upon a cart attached to two cows and allowed it to go on its own. They believed that if it went directly to Israel, then the God of Israel was returning His Ark to His people and He had been responsible for their affliction. And sure enough, as soon as they released the Ark it headed straight toward Israel. (1 Samuel 6:12)
What a season of grace that was for the Philistines. It seemed like affliction, but it was really grace! God was giving them an opportunity to recognize His power. He demonstrated Himself more powerful than their idols. He revealed Himself to the Philistines. They could have submitted themselves to Him in worship. Instead, they chose to ignore what He was revealing and send Him away! They missed their great opportunity!
How many times in our own lives have we missed God’s grace and turned our back on Him?
His, by Grace,
Steve
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