Zealous For A Lie

In the fifth chapter of I Samuel there is an interesting story. Let me set the backdrop. The Philistines soundly whipped the Israelites. One of the spoils of war after the resounding victory included capturing the ark of the covenant. 

Once the ark of the covenant was taken into Philistine territory to Ashdod they set the ark in same room with their pagan god Dagon. What happened next is comical. 

When the Philistines awoke the following morning they discovered Dagon had fallen on its face before the ark of the LORD. What a telling story. Dagon bowed as an inferior to Jehovah the superior. Idol god bowed before Creator Elohim. 

The Philistines actually stood Dagon back up. What kind of god is it that you actually have to stand it back up? If god needs help to stand back up do we really need him? Can such actually be deity? The answer is obviously NO! 

The next morning the scene repeated itself with some extra emphasis. Dagon had fallen prostrate before the ark of God. Only this time his head fell off as well as both hands. The message seems clear. 

Jehovah shouted out through that one scene, "I am Jehovah, the one true God. Dagon can not speak to you, hear you or see you. He cannot touch you or help you. I am the Supreme Authority."

You would think after two displays of God's supremacy before Dagon the Philistines would repent. They did not. They revered Dagon and treated the site as sacred where Dagon had fallen. They also opted to send the ark of the covenant away. 

Every place the ark of the covenant went God broke out heavy against the Philistines. God judged the Philistines severely. Still there is not a single repentance that anyone repented and turned to worship Yahweh. Let me say that again. Not one person repented. No-one turned. 

Is it any different today. Churches plan and program. Preachers pray and proclaim the gospel. Worship pastors lead heartfelt worship. Still the masses drive by many Christian gatherings without giving them a second thought. They bow at the idols of sports, money, self image, video fantasy games, politics and I could  go on and on. What about Muslims. Just as zealous as the Philistines. Devout in their worship and allegiance. IT IS ALL A LIE. They are dead wrong. Zeal for a lie will lead them to a Christless eternity. 

May the people of God stand up boldly for Him and call people to repentance and a relationship with Jehovah and Jesus. All other religions are wrong. Don't be zealous for a lie. Be zealous for the truth. [John 14:6]