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There are times when God uses circumstances to demolish the false gods that we all cling to. Initially, we tend to make excuses and stick with the status quo. This is especially true when it involves confession and change. Even though God used verifiable evidence to illustrate that Dagon was inferior to Him, the people still chose to worship Dagon. Not only that, they instituted another religious ritual to accommodate their decision.
“The destruction of Dagon’s idol resulted in the foolish Philistine custom of stepping over the threshold of Dagon’s temple (Zep 1:9). Apparently the threshold came to be regarded as taboo because of its contact with Dagon’s hands and head (v. 1Sa 5:4).”
Nelson’s Commentary
Do we make excuses when God shows up and destroys the false idols in our lives? Do we simply add another religious rule to our checklist?
He spoke to them through their crumbled false god. He spoke to them through the plagues and ulcers. And this was their chance to turn from their wicked god and serve the true God, but they would not do it.
They merely thought they could get rid of him by sending him back to Israel. We know this isn’t how it works. The ark could have signaled revival and renewal for the Philistines, but instead, it represented judgment and condemnation, as they refused to face the truth that stood before them.
1 Samuel 5 is a demonstration of the power of God. When we invite Him into the darkest places of our heart, He will bring terror and opposition to the evil that resides there. He will destroy all that is false. The question remains, we will justify and make excuses, or repent and change?
“The dying thief passes from his cross to Paradise, while Judas goes to his own place. Dare to admit the Savior into the secret place of your heart. He will utterly destroy the works of Satan, and will drive out the evil things that have too long infested it.”
F.B. Meyer