This chapter gives a behind-the-scenes look at the Philistines after they capture the Ark in battle.
“When the Philistines captured the ark of God, they brought it… into the house of Dagon and set it up beside Dagon. But when they rose early on the next morning, behold, Dagon had fallen face downward on the ground before the ark of the Lord, and the head of Dagon and both his hands were lying cut off on the threshold. The hand of the Lord was heavy against the people of Ashdod, and he terrified and afflicted them with tumors, both Ashdod and its territory. They sent therefore and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines and said, ‘Send away the ark of the God of Israel, and let it return to its own place, that it may not kill us and our people.’ For there was a deathly panic throughout the whole city. The hand of God was very heavy there. The men who did not die were struck with tumors, and the cry of the city went up to heaven.” (v1-2,4a,6,11-12 abr)
The God of Israel is a jealous God, one who will not have any other gods before Him (Ex 34:14). When the Philistines place the Ark in a temple to one of their gods, God destroys their idol and sends a deadly illness upon the land. Despite moving the Ark from city to city, God smote the people wherever it went. Finally, the Philistines decide to give the Ark back, because they fear for their lives.
This is one of many examples in scripture of God not needing anyone’s help in order to execute His will. Not one Israelite was present, not even a prophet, and the Philistines got the message loud and clear not to mess with the God of Israel. They already feared Him (as mentioned in the last chapter) and now they likely feared Him even more.
Has God ever had to get our attention the hard way? Has He allowed some dire circumstance into our lives that shook us awake to His presence and power? Whenever there is pride in a nation, there is bound to be a disaster unless they repent of that pride. The Philistines, like the Egyptians, faced plagues for their arrogance, and Israel was crushed in battle many times because of their disobedience (they took pride in their own wisdom and security).
There are several world-changing events in history that could be linked to pride. Even our current global crisis (despite being blown out of proportion by the media), could be another way God is trying to get our attention back on Him. What is more humbling than a virus for which we do not have a cure/vaccine? A virus, like sin, is hard to see, difficult to control, and has the potential to cause great harm to a large number of people – it should bring us to our knees in a prayer of repentance.
My encouragement for today is to ask God to reveal any areas of pride in our lives, so that we may confess them to Him and humble ourselves. A few chapters ago Hannah’s prayer included this line: “Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth; for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.” (2:3) God will give us grace proportional to our humility, but He will judge any pride (Jas 4:6), so why not invite His grace, rather than His judgement?
Father God, our Sovereign and Glorious King, holy, holy, holy is Your name. You are all-powerful and all-knowing, and we ask for Your help in ridding ourselves of pride. Father we have so many examples for forced humility both in the Bible and in current times. You oppose the proud, so we voluntarily ask you to cleanse us of this iniquity. Father we admit we have sinned against You, and we have had prideful hearts. Please reveal to us any remaining pride, and gently separate us from it, so it no longer separates us from You. In the name of Jesus, the most humble man to ever walk the earth, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training