Today we are reading 1 Samuel 5. In this chapter we read about the experiences the Philistines had with the Ark of the Covenant in their possession. “Then the Philistines took the ark of God and brought it into the house of Dagon and set it up beside Dagon. And when the people of Ashdod rose early the next day, behold, Dagon had fallen face downward on the ground before the ark of the Lord. So they took Dagon and put him back in his place. 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. Only the trunk of Dagon was left to him. 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.” 1 Samuel 5:2-4, 6 ESV So, the Philistines had defeated the Israelites and captured the Ark. They must have assumed it was harmless like the statue of their false god. What they didn’t realize was that God’s presence resided with the Ark. They foolishly placed the Ark next to their false god statue. God punished them with physical illness for their actions. How does God feel toward those who mock or misuse His sacred things? What are the sacred things of God? How can you teach your family to honor and respect the sacred things of God? Pastor Tim
