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The Story of Redemption - Contents
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    IN THE LAND OF THE PHILISTINES

    One reason God permitted His ark to be taken by Israel's enemies was that the Israelites had boasted that the ark was their strength. They trusted in the ark. God wanted to teach the Israelites that they could not trust in the ark while they were sinning--disobeying the laws kept in the ark. God would humble Israel by taking the sacred ark from among them.SRme 1.813

    The Philistines rejoiced in their victory. They thought they had taken the famous god that had performed wonders for Israel and brought terror to Israel's enemies.SRme 1.814

    The Philistines took the ark of God to a place called Ashdod. They put the ark in a beautiful temple. This temple was built to honor their most popular idol, Dagon. They put the ark by the side of Dagon. In the morning, when the priests of the Philistines entered the temple, they foundSRme 1.815

    the idol Dagon fallen upon its face. Dagon lay in front of the ark of the Lord. The terrified priests lifted the idol and put the idol back in its place. They thought the idol might have fallen by accident. The next morning the priests found the idol fallen again with its face to the ground. The idol's head and its hands were broken off.SRme 1.816

    The angels of God always went with the ark. The angels threw down this idol of stone. The angels broke the idol to show that the living God was above all gods and that idols are nothing.SRme 1.817

    The Philistines had great respect for their idol, Dagon. They were sad when they saw the idol broken and lying on its face. The Philistines considered this to be an evil sign. The Philistines thought they and their gods would be destroyed by the Israelites. This sign showed the Philistines that God was greater and more powerful than all gods. They removed the ark of God from their idol temple, placing the ark in a building by itself.SRme 1.818

    The Philistines kept the ark of God for seven months. The Philistines believed the Israelites' power came from the ark. The Philistines now had the ark, so they thought they would be safe from the Israelites. The Philistines were not afraid of the armies of Israel. They were very happy.SRme 1.819

    But suddenly loud crying was heard all over the land. A plague had come on the Philistines. Finally the people decided that the trouble was caused by the ark of God.SRme 1.820

    The Philistines moved the ark around from place to place in terror. God brought destruction wherever the ark was taken. The Philistines were greatly troubled to know what to do with the ark. Angels, who went with the ark, kept the ark from harm. The Philistines did not dare open the ark. Because their god Dagon had been destroyed, they were afraid to touch the ark or have the ark near them.SRme 1.821

    The people asked the priests and magicians what they should do with the ark of God. The priests and magicians told the people to return the ark to the Israelites, and to send an expensive sin offering with the ark. If Israel's God accepted their offering, the Philistines would be healed from the plague that attacked them. The Philistines were to understand that God was against them because they had taken the ark of God.SRme 1.822

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