Duking it out with Dagon ∙
After the Philistines captured the Ark of God, they took it from the battleground at Ebenezer to the town of Ashdod. They carried the Ark of God into the temple of Dagon and placed it beside an idol of Dagon. – 1 Samuel 5:1-2
1 Samuel 5:3-12
3 But when the citizens of Ashdod went to see it the next morning, Dagon had fallen with his face to the ground in front of the Ark of the LORD! So they took Dagon and put him in his place again.
4 But the following day, the same thing happened – Dagon had fallen face down before the Ark of the LORD again. This time his head and hands had broken off and were lying in the doorway. Only the trunk of his body was left intact.
5 That is why to this day, neither the priests of Dagon nor anyone who enters the temple of Dagon in Ashdod will step on its threshold.
6 Then the LORD’s heavy hand struck the people of Ashdod and the nearby villages with a plague of tumors.
7 When the people realized what was happening, they cried out, “We can’t keep the Ark of the God of Israel here any longer! He is against us! We will all be destroyed along with Dagon, our god.”
8 So they called together the rulers of the Philistine towns and asked, “What should we do with the Ark of the God of Israel?” The rulers discussed it and replied, “Move it to the town of Gath.” So they moved the Ark of the God of Israel to Gath.
9 But when the Ark arrived at Gath, the LORD’s heavy hand fell on its men, young and old; he struck them with a plague of tumors, and there was a great panic.
10 So they sent the Ark of God to the town of Ekron, but when the people of Ekron saw it coming, they cried out, “They are bringing the Ark of the God of Israel here to kill us, too!”
11 The people summoned the Philistine rulers again and begged them, “Please send the Ark of the God of Israel back to its own country, or it will kill us all.” For the deadly plague from God had already begun, and great fear was sweeping across the town.
12 Those who didn’t die were afflicted with hemorrhoids, and the cry from the town rose to heaven.
Luck is often described as an unexpected event or situation that happens by chance beyond our control. Many people see luck as a guiding force in their lives. A good luck charm is an object believed to bring fortune to its owner, often carried or worn for protection. These charms can be anything from a horseshoe or four-leaf clover to a rabbit’s foot, lucky coin, religious emblem, or talisman.
The idea of good luck charms is closely tied to superstition. Even though there’s no scientific evidence to back their effectiveness, these charms can provide comfort and confidence to those who believe in them. Each charm’s importance is steeped in folklore, mythology, religion, tradition, or a mix of these elements.
Historically, the people of Israel made a grave mistake by treating the Ark of the Covenant, the holiest artifact on earth, as a mere good luck charm. The people of Israel put their trust in the Ark of God instead of putting their trust in the God of the Ark. This misguided belief led to severe consequences: the Ark was captured by the Philistines, symbolizing their victory over Israel’s armies.
The story serves as a cautionary tale respecting sacred objects and highlights the unmatched power of the living God of Israel.
REFLECT & PRAY
The Ark of the Covenant represented God’s presence and authority among the Jewish people and His rule over them. Similarly, for those who are children of the King, the Lord Jesus Christ holds a comparable significance as the Ark did for Israel. We need to give the Lord Jesus Christ His rightful place in our lives. With His presence and guidance, we can navigate each day with confidence.
Father, I am grateful for Your presence and the assurance of Your help. Teach me to walk humbly with You and to seek forgiveness quickly when I falter.
INSIGHT
The Ark of the Covenant was the centerpiece of the Tabernacle, residing in the Holy of Holies. Inside, it held the two tablets of the law, and on top was the golden “mercy seat,” where God’s majestic presence dwelt. This was considered God’s throne, from which He communicated with His people (Exodus 25:10-22) (Wiersbe).
Exodus 25:22 I will meet with you there and talk to you from above the atonement cover between the gold cherubim that hover over the Ark of the Covenant. From there, I will give you my commands for the people of Israel.
The “Philistines,” originally from the Aegean region, were seafaring people whose name likely comes from the Hebrew peleshet, meaning “invader” or “migrant.” They settled along the coastal areas of “Palestine,” a name that shares its roots with “Philistine.”
The Philistines are known for their aggressive and militant nature. Their clashes with Israel began around the 12th century BC. They held a significant advantage with their superior iron weapons and maintained a monopoly on iron production in the region. This dominance enabled them to control Israel, even prohibiting blacksmithing among the Israelites, who had to rely on the Philistines for tasks as basic as sharpening their tools (1 Samuel 13:19-22).
God gave Israel specific instructions for waging war, as outlined in Deuteronomy 20. They were to enter battles trusting in the Father after they searched their hearts and made things right with Him.
Instead of seeking guidance from the Father, the Israelites foolishly decided to imitate Moses and Joshua by taking the Ark into battle (Numbers 10:33-36; Joshua 3-4, 6). They placed confidence in the Ark itself to ensure their safety and victory rather than putting their faith in the God of the Ark. This was a grave error, as they attempted to manipulate divine power for their own ends. They acted out of ignorant superstition, treating the Ark as a mere good-luck charm.
Unlike Moses and Joshua, the Israelites did not seek God’s will, walk by faith, or aim to honor and glorify Him. They hoped the Ark’s presence would deliver them from their enemies (Wiersbe). The battle was lost, and the Philistines captured the Ark, leading to a humiliating and demoralizing defeat.
The Philistines placed the Ark in the temple of Dagon to proclaim their god Dagon’s superiority over the God of Israel, mocking and belittling Him. This arrogance invited divine judgment.
1 Samuel 2:30 I will honor those who honor me, and I will despise those who think lightly of me.
Now comes the sweet irony. The Father has a way of getting defiant people and their false gods to bow before Him. The Father will not be used to achieve selfish ambitions.
God demonstrated His power over the Philistines and their false god, Dagon. The Philistines realized they were not just fighting Israel but the living God of Israel. Dagon was found prostrate, without a head or hands, symbolizing submission to the Ark and the God it represented.
1 Samuel 5:3-12
3 But when the citizens of Ashdod went to see it the next morning, Dagon had fallen with his face to the ground in front of the Ark of the LORD! So they took Dagon and put him in his place again.
4 But the following day, the same thing happened – Dagon had fallen face down before the Ark of the LORD again. This time, his head and hands had broken off and were lying in the doorway. Only the trunk of his body was left intact.
Psalms 97:7 Those who worship idols are disgraced – all who brag about their worthless gods – for every god must bow to him.
The Philistines were supernaturally afflicted with “tumors.” The Hebrew word translated as “tumors” is ophel. Ophel refers to an abnormal “swelling,” “growth,” or “sores” occurring on the skin. They were contagious and life-threatening (1 Samuel 5:9, 11-12).
The Philistines, both shocked and terrified, were desperate to rid themselves of the Ark. In a futile attempt to escape responsibility, their wise men devised a plan: they hitched two cows to a cart, placed the Ark on it, and set the cows free, allowing them to ‘moo-ve’ their way back to Israel. However, their plan was no match for the divine intervention that was to come.
It was never a fair contest! Lifeless, man-made idols stood no chance against the Almighty, living God of Israel. Dagon lost his hands (1 Samuel 5:4), while God’s mighty hand struck the Philistines with afflictions and death, causing widespread panic (1 Samuel 5:6, 9).
Israel’s initial defeat by the Philistines set the stage for God’s ultimate victory over Dagon.
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© Dr. H 2024
Dr H Reflections 