After the Lord struck down 70 people for looking into the ark, Israel mourns for twenty years and leaves the ark separated from the tabernacle. Samuel, as God's prophet, sees that Israel is ready to called back into a proper relationship. He seized the moment and preaches a piercing message about what it takes to be right with God.

Israel had used the ark by bringing it to the front lines of the battle only to discover that God was both unwilling to be used and willing to do the unthinkable by allowing the ark to be captured by the Philistines. The Philistines who thought the God of Israel was a minor deity, experienced the defeat of their national god in his temple. This led to two surprising developments as God displays his glory in Philistia and restores his glory in Israel as well.

Israel had used the ark by bringing it to the front lines of the battle only to discover that God was both unwilling to be used and willing to do the unthinkable by allowing the ark to be captured by the Philistines. The Philistines who thought the God of Israel was a minor deity, experienced the defeat of their national god in his temple. This led to two surprising developments as God displays his glory in Philistia and restores his glory in Israel as well.

This story at one level makes a mockery of Dagon, the chief god of the Philistines. A deeper look at will reveal God working through Israel's failures. There are lessons about God and how we respond to setbacks and failures to be found here.

This story at one level makes a mockery of Dagon, the chief god of the Philistines. A deeper look at will reveal God working through Israel's failures. There are lessons about God and how we respond to setbacks and failures to be found here.

Israel and the Philistines are both pressed for living space. This has led to war, but the Philistines have been dominating Israel from the time of Samson. When Israel experienced a fresh defeat on the battlefield, they decided to bring God's Box -The ark of the Covenant- to the front lines. It proved disastrous. As remote for our times as this story is, it has much to say to us about what it means to follow Christ.

Israel and the Philistines are both pressed for living space. This has led to war, but the Philistines have been dominating Israel from the time of Samson. When Israel experienced a fresh defeat on the battlefield, they decided to bring God's Box (The ark of the Covenant) to the front lines. It proved disastrous. As remote for our times as this story is, it has much to say to us about what it means to follow Christ.