Daily Lift – September 13th, 2018

Reproach to Every People –

Following Israel ‘s devastating military defeat at the hands of the Philistines, the Ark of the Covenant was taken as a spoil of war. First Samuel Five records that the Ark was taken to Ashdod, where the Philistines placed it in the temple of Dagon. It was a custom of the day to display such spoils in the temple of the prevailing people’s god, for in this manner they gave thanks for their victory and esteemed their god as greater than that of the defeated army. Such an assertion on the part of the heathen is alarmingly likened unto that of Satan himself. The history of humanity is fraught with the evil one’s opposition to God and His people. Fortunately, Biblical record is just as replete with the evidence of Satan’s defeat, and this also is illustrated by the plague of disease brought upon the people of Ashdod. Realizing the presence of the Ark of God to be responsible, they moved it to Gath, where the same fate befell the city. Moving the Ark again to Ekron brought the plague to them as well. Israel had lost the battle, not because Dagon was greater, but because Jehovah was punishing them. Whether Philistine, Israelite, or any other, sin is a reproach to every people.

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Written and voiced by David Hayes Prophater