Israelites assumed that God would ignore their sins and protect them from their enemies, but they were disappointed. Despite their attempt to bribe God with casual godliness, they were still punished! (Israelites brought God’s Ark of Covenant to a battlefield with the hope that the Creator would confirm his presence with them). God refused to defend the disobedient children, and that caused them to lose their treasured Ark of Covenant to their enemies. However, God honored his name among the gentiles that hijacked the Ark of Covenant. He severed them with plagues and also publicly embarrassed their idols. The scripture reported,
“When the Philistines took the ark of God, they brought it into the house of Dagon and set it by Dagon. 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. And when they arose early the next morning, there was Dagon, fallen on its face to the ground before the ark of the Lord. The head of Dagon and both the palms of its hands were broken off on the threshold; only Dagon’s torso was left of it. Therefore neither the priests of Dagon nor any who come into Dagon’s house tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod to this day” (I Samuel 5:2-5).
In addition, God also significantly destroyed the enemies that tempered with his glory. Many of them experienced premature death.
Lesson:
God is not an ordinary being; he is a supreme being, and he must not be compared with any other deity. God will go the extra mile to protect his image among people. The Creator has enough power to afflict and kill anyone who attempts to tamper with his glory. Hence, all people must tremble before God and honor him with due respect. No one should attempt to be involved in any exercise that can provoke God into exercising his severe authority. Also, every Christian should make a significant effort to witness Christ’s gospel so that unbelievers can establish a positive relationship with God.
Prayer:
Dear God, I have learned that it is dangerous to engage in any action that can provoke your anger. Therefore, I am determined to operate within the scope of your mercy. I am sorry for all my past wrong deeds, and I ask you to please forgive me. From now on, I will serve you with the integrity of my heart. I believe in your Son Jesus Christ, and I accept him as my personal Lord and Savior. Please write my name in the book of life, and let it be well with me throughout the days of my life. For in the name of Jesus Christ I make my requests. Amen.
