RTW April 10

The Idol Will Fall

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

 

 

My Takeaways

Something Old

How could they place the symbol of the presence and power of the living God beside a man-made god? As the words fall from my lips I sensed the rebuke of the Spirit remind me, “You do it all the time.” Now, these are not the loving and encouraging words one longs to hear from God.

Their god, Dagon, a powerless, half-fish, half-man, hand-made god was no match for the all-powerful Yahweh

Do I dare bring my idols…

  • Into the temple (sanctuary)?
  • Into my prayer life?
  • Into my study?
  • Into my secret places?

Where do I take my idols?

Something New

I find it interesting the way the pieces of Dagon were broken. His head and his hands were cut off. God was making a point. This god has no wisdom and no power. And aren’t these the two areas we struggle with as well: our own wisdom and power?

Something To Do

Push my idols over.  Make them bow to the Presence of God.

 

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2 Comments

  1. My Takeaways: In order to receive the Lord’s help, we must place our faith in Him and obey His commandments.

    Something Old: “But the next morning 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 we’re lying in the doorway. Only the trunk of his body was left intact.” (1Samuel 5:4) I too, find it interesting the way the pieces of Dagon were broken. His head and his hands were cut off. Thank you Wendy for giving new meaning to me about this verse. I would have to agree with you that God WAS making a point. This god had no wisdom (head) and no power (hands) very interesting point!

    Something New: 1Samuel 7:3 “…If you are really serious about wanting to return to the Lord, get rid of your foreign gods and your images of Ashtoreth. Determine to obey only the Lord; then he will rescue you from the Philistines.” Samuel was teaching the Israelites that it is more important to have God’s presence then to have a symbol of God’s presence. The Israelites needed to sincerely repent. They were using the Ark of the Covenant as an Idol. They treated it more like a good luck charm instead of realizing it wasn’t just a box that brought “good luck.” It was the relationship that they shared with God- inwardly and outwardly. Once the Israelite decided to get right with the Lord, they were able to win the battle. A relationship with God requires humility and repentance. God and his power are present with such people.

    So.ethic To Do: A personal relationship with God begins with knowing His Son Jesus Christ.

    1. Finishing my thought for something to do— stay in the word! I can know who Jesus Christ is and continue to build my relationship with him when I read the Bible.

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