I began reading the book of 1 Samuel today. As I read, I came to chapter 5 and was once again puzzled by the events documented there.
The Israelites are at war with the Philistines. The Philistines had a victory over the Israelites which caused the Israelites to bring in the “big guns.” They bring out the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, the place where God is dwelling between the cherubim. They had not sought God in this, they only believed that this presence would bring about victory.
Counter to their original thought, the Philistines, seeing the Ark, became incredibly afraid and fought all the harder. They defeated the Israelite armies and to add insult to injury, they captured the Ark and took it home to be a victory prize. The Ark was placed in the presence of their god, Dagon.
Dagon was a worshipped god, but was no god at all. Dagon, had no powers. Dagon had no life. Dagon was nothing more than an idol. God, however, is not. He would not be mocked. He would not be silent. He would show Himself. So God tumbles the idol down onto his face in His presence. This idol is raised up again the following day. Again God will not have this idol before Him, so the next time, God puts the idol face down on the ground, but removes the head and hands of this false god and places them by the door. Then, as if this were not enough to get the attention of the Philistines, God begins to strike the people of that town and the nearby villages with a plague of tumors.
The Philistines know that this is coming from Israel’s God. They know that He is behind this, so they send the Ark to another town. In that town too, God’s hand strikes them with a plague of tumors and now panic ensues. The Ark is sent to a third town where the deadly plague has already begun and the people are ready to return the Ark of the God of Israel back to its own country.
Here’s the part that is so hard for me to get. There was no power coming from their god. Dagon could not save them. Dagon could do nothing more than any other decoration could. They saw that the Ark of the LORD was not an idol. The LORD was real. And yet they did not change their hearts and want to know more of Him. Serve Him.
Hasn’t this been the case for most of
My mind is blown.
Who else can save? Can Budha? Can Muhammad? Can Joseph Smith? Friends, there is no one who can save, but Jesus. There is no god who has power to do anything. Budha died. Muhammad died. Joseph Smith and Brigham Young died. Their power was not real power, it was and is limited to their influence of others. They are gone, though they are still worshiped.
God is from the beginning of time and will be for eternity. God is continually at work. His power knows no end. He splits seas. He creates water and food in the middle of a desert. He heals the sick. He raises the dead. God is not a god – an idol – nothing more than an option. God is the only REAL option.
Yet many still reject Him. God is not interested in being one of our gods. God is only interested in being the only. Deuteronomy 4:35 “To you it was shown that you might know that the LORD, He is God, there is not other besides Him.” “See not that I, I am He. And there is no god besides Me. It is I who put to death and give life. I have wounded, and it is I who heal. And there is no one who can deliver from my hand.” (Deuteronomy 32:39) “Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: ‘I am the first and the last. And there is no God besides Me.'” (Isaiah 44:6)
There is no other. Will you choose to follow an idol, or live for someone who is dead, or will you choose to live for the One who knows you, loves you, and is above all others?
Blessings!