Today’s reading: 1 Samuel 5:1-8:22
My selection: I Samuel 5:6;7
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. 7 And when the men of Ashdod saw how things were, they said, “The ark of the God of Israel must not remain with us, for his hand is hard against us and against Dagon our god.”
My reflections: God is committed to His own glory first and foremost. When the Israelites attempted to use the ark of the covenant as a good luck charm in battle against the Philistines, the LORD defeated them and let the ark be captured by the Philistines. Once the Philistines had the ark installed in the temple of their god, Dagon, the idol fell before the ark and was broken. The people of Philistea began to suffer from tumors. They began to pass the ark around and wherever it went judgment followed.
Although God had made a covenant with Israel, He was first of all committed to His own glory and when His people failed to obey and honor Him, He brought judgment upon them. God is free and He will judge whoever dishonors Him.
My challenge: Honor Him today. Take His commands seriously. Do not be presumptuous thinking you could never fall under His heavy hand of judgment.
Tomorrow’s reading: 1 Samuel 9:1-12:25
Commentaires