The ark of the covenant of God is the place where Israel knows the presence of the Lord dwells. When the ark of God is with them, the presence of the Lord is with them. When you go back to read chapter 4, the summary is the Philistines go into battle with Israel and Israel brings the ark of God to the battlefield to try and save them from the Philistines, but the Philistines secure the ark of God and victory over Israel. We pick up today where Israel is without the presence of God feeling the heavy loss and the Philistines have no idea what they captured in the ark of God.
The Philistines doubt the power of God, but that is about to change. As I read in 1 Samuel 5:2 my mouth drops open and eyes widen in shock. Then I read the verse again. The Philistines set up the ark of God next to Dagon their god like the ark is a shoe box. Can you imagine the scene playing out? Men are exhausted from battle and ready to drop the ark of God somewhere so that they can shower and rest. “Where do you want me to put this? Uh, it’s a god. Line it up next to the others.” We really get a sense of their passive attitude toward the God of Israel.
Q: Is my heart passive toward God living in the bible belt to the point where I take for granted God’s sovereignty in every single day? Do I toss God on a bookshelf as I walk out the door to live my life?
While the Philistines sleep, God’s anger builds. The next day, Dagon the god of the Philistines is found face down in front of the ark of the God of Israel. To picture the scene, it helps to understand what Dagon looks like. Dagon is half man up top with arms stretched out in front of him like they have power to do something, and the rest of his body is the shape of a fish tail with scales. Now, Dagon is face down and cannot pick himself back up. The Philistines dust off Dagon and stand him back up. I can hear the Philistines comment, “that’s weird, Dagon has not fallen down before, call in the squad to lift him back up.” Sounds absurd that the Philistines could be blind to what’s happening. However, as I reflect on the things in my life that I run to instead of God or relationships I idolized that crumble, I react the exact same way as the Philistines.
In the last half of the chapter, the ark of God goes on a tour of Philistine territory and God makes His presence and power known in each city. It’s kind of His style. From Ashdod where the ark of God destroys Dagon, the ark moves to Gath and Ekron still in Philistia before punted to Beth-shemesh back in Israel’s possession. There are common themes I picked up from each city. The people felt the hand of the Lord heavy (v. 6 & 11), and they were plagued with tumors. The Philistines in each city plead to send the ark of God back to its own people. Why? They were content living the life they created where they were in control. The Philistines could not see the limitations and lack in their lives without God because they were satisfied with what they created.
This hit me between the eyes. The same scene plays out in my life in seasons of pushing away from God because I am self-seeking and desire control. In those seasons I feel like God is withholding or stands in the way of getting what I want. I feel the hand of the Lord gently drawing me in, but I push away. When the Lord tears down other idols in our lives it is the Lord’s loving kindness to make a way for us to see Him. The Philistines do not see it but think about how Israel feels without the ark of God. Israel sees the difference when the ark of God is with them and without them. We see that when Israel brings the ark of God to the battlefield at Ebenezer. God’s presence and power provides fullness of life for Israel. He is their protection and guidepost.
Q: What season are you in today? Do you push away the presence of God like the Philistines or rely on Him every day?
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