04/01/2024 - FALLEN AND HUMILIATED

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And when the people of Ashdod arose early in the morning, there was Dagon, fallen on its face to the earth before the ark of the LORD. So they took Dagon and set it in its place again.  1 Samuel 5.3

God’s love for humanity is great and is revealed in daily events, such as what happened to the Philistines after they took the ark of the Lord and placed it in the temple of Dagon, the false god they worshipped. That was the opportunity given by the Lord to the people to see the truth that would set them free forever. However, the people were so blind that they didn’t realize that they were worshipping the devil.

The celebration among the Philistines for the victory in Israel must have been great, even more so after the death of two famous priests. These were the sons of Eli, the most respected man in those days. Hophni and Phinehas became wicked, shaming their father, who did nothing but warn them. For dishonoring the holiness that is required before the Lord, Eli let them go to war, even though he knew that the Almighty would not be with them. The sons were killed, and the father also died when he heard the news (1 Samuel 4.1-18).

When they woke up, some of the citizens of Ashdod were curious to know what Dagon had done with the box which was so respected by Israel. After all, they had been taught that the being they worshipped as their protector would avenge them for everything the Israelites had done in past conflicts. However, when they arrived at the temple, they were stunned and desperate, for the Ark of the Testimony had defeated Dagon!

None of the Philistines could accept what they were seeing. The scene looked like the work of some Jew who had secretly placed the image of their god face down on the ground. It wasn’t possible that the one who had driven them to battle was now lying on the ground defeated. Who would have thought that this would happen inside the temple of Ashdod! But the Lord has His way of showing the Truth.

The territory of the Philistines was divided into five main parts: Ashdod, Ashkelon, Ekron, Gath and Gaza. Each had its own ruling prince, and together they formed the Philistine empire. When they went to war, the princes joined together and were able to continue as a sovereign country. But when they saw what had happened to the image of the “great” Dagon, they must have been speechless. This is how those who put their faith in other gods will stand on the Day of Judgment. Watch out!

In those days, the divine presence was in the ark of the Testimony, also called the ark of the Covenant. Today, the Lord reveals Himself in His Word. What you understand from the Bible is like a portrait of God. By believing in what has been revealed to you, you put divine power into action. So, when you read the Word or listen to the preaching of faith, meditate on what is being conveyed, because faith will undoubtedly enter your heart to bless you!

The Philistines repeated their folly when they took the image of their god and put it up in its usual place. Hadn’t they understood that Dagon was simply a lie? The spirits that oppress people are nothing but defeated by Jesus (Colossians 2.15)! 

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares