March 24, 2024 Service

1 Samuel 5

The Philistines have taken possession of the ark of God, likely believing some good fortune may now come their way and bad fortune to Israel. They place the ark of God in the house of their god, Dagon. The Philistine god was believed to be the god over all flourishing and fertility. The Israelites God, YHWH, means “to be” or “He Brings into Existence Whatever Exists.” This means he is over everyone and everything.

Two times Dagon is toppled in the night, the second of which Dagon falls bowing before the ark of God with head and hands broken off. This was of great concern to the Philistine priests. The text says, “The hand of the Lord was heavy against the people of Ashdod, and he terrified an afflicted them with tumors, both Ashdod and its territory.” (vs 6). Out of fear they move the ark to Gath. Then to Ekron. Each time the hand of the Lord causing affliction, tumors and death, a severe breaking of their lives.

God will not share His glory with any other, He is YHWH. The people believe they can put their hands of Him but it is God who puts His hand on them. Interestingly, the LORD deals with the Philistines and their territory with complete control of that which their god Dagon was supposedly god of – fruitfulness of the land (agriculture) and fertility (populous growth/community). God is showing that He is over everything, cannot be seized or trifled with. His holiness and glory will expose all that is unholy.

The Philistines now want nothing to do with the ark of the Lord as God’s judgment has come upon them.

As we think about our own lives,

1. How have you attempted to place your hands on God, as if you could control Him, appease Him for good fortune to come your way?

2. How have you sought to get God on your side rather than get yourself onto God’s side?

The Philistines had a choice to submit to YAWEH or get rid of Him. Their response in the text this week is an intent to send the ark of God away. We have a choice as well.

3. When did your bad and sinful choices lead you to God’s loving act of allowing brokenness to become evident in your life? What did God show you about Himself and His love for you? How did you respond?

Our Church Vision is to see every man, woman, and child living lives of WITNESS at home, at work, and at play.

Our testimony of encountering God’s mercy, grace, and love in the times of our greatest brokenness and sin is our personal witness of WHO God is and the depths of His loving grace. Let’s be courageous to share our testimony with others.

Share what God has done in your heart this week with your community group and/or friends.

Grace and peace on this journey together,

Chad Hollowell
Executive Pastor

COMMUNITY GROUP DISCUSSION

Don Logan

1) Read all of I Samuel 5. What is happening? Does this come across as a humorous story, or a terrifying one? Why or why not?

2) Talk through the 3 points taken from the text. Ask yourself and the Bible if these are consistently true, or simply true in this story.

A. God doesn’t need us…for anything.

B. God is not safe. We can’t manage or control Him.

C. But God is good!

3) Ask yourself the ways in which God’s Goodness can be witnessed, even in this text. Is God “playing with His food” or is He giving them time to recognize and repent? Why doesn’t He simply destroy all of them in a day?

4) How has God been terrible and good in your life?

5) Prayer and praise