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God's Ark Returns to Israel

Episode 77: Inspired by the Book of Samuel

God's Ark Returns to Israel

All of Israel mourned the loss of the Ark as it was dragged to the city of Ashdod. There, they placed it at the feet of their god, Dagon. The next morning their statue of Dagon had fallen and was bowing before the Ark of God. The hand of God was heavy against The Philistines, and He afflicted them with plagues of tumors and rats. And so the Philistines, recognizing what Israel and Egypt did not, send the Ark of God back to Israel with gifts to honor God and beg for His forgiveness—teaching us rightly to fear God and not take His name or power lightly.

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In our previous reading, we heard how Eli’s sons died in battle, a punishment for their sins against God. Along with them, Israel lost thousands of men to the Philistines. But they lost something even greater, as the Philistines took the ark of the covenant. God’s presence had departed from Israel, and hope seemed lost. But in today’s reading, we’ll hear about the high price the Philistines would pay for their theft and how God’s power would be shown to all as His presence was restored to His people.

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AUTHOR

Dr. Jack Graham

Dr. Jack Graham is the pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church, one of the nation's largest, most dynamic congregations with more than 42,000 members. He is a noted author of numerous books, and his passionate, biblical teaching is also seen and heard throughout the world on PowerPoint Ministries.

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