God is Holy
God is Holy
Read 1 Sam. 5-6
In an age of religious pluralism, many people view the God of the Bible merely as another religious belief equal to other religions. For them, there are many ways to God, and all religions are the product of man’s spiritual explorations. Yet this is nothing new. Throughout history, people have developed their views of God and often regarded others as equal. Within the religious opinions of the Ancient Near East, many gods were overseeing the affairs of man. Each nation had its own god, as the gods were geographically confined. As a result, when nations went into battle, it was not just a battle of armies but a conflict between the gods. Therefore, when the Philistines defeated the Israelites and captured the Ark of God, they saw it as a spiritual victory. Placing the Ark in the temple devoted to Dagon, the god of the Philistines, demonstrated that Dagon was superior to Yahweh. Placing the Ark, the symbol of Israel’s God, in the temple of Dagon was a symbolic act to show that Yahweh was now a servant to Dagon.
Much to the surprise of the Philistines, in the morning, they discovered the Statue of Dagon lying prostrate before the Ark of the Lord. Perhaps this was an accident, so they again arranged Dagon on his pedestal. However, in the morning, Dagon was again in the dust, but this time both his hands and head were broken off. God made it clear that he was not subservient to Dagon, nor was Dagon even an equal. This was further manifested when the people in the region were afflicted with tumors. Fearing further judgment from the God of Israel, they sent the Ark to Gath. They, too, were afflicted with tumors. Every place the Ark went, the people were afflicted. Finally, recognizing the power of God over their gods, they sent the Ark back to Israel.
When the people of Israel saw the Ark, they rejoiced. However, instead of treating the Ark as the symbol of God’s presence, thus a place regarded as holy, they did the opposite. Instead of concealing the Ark, as required by the Law(Numbers 4:5-6), they put it on display and even looked inside. They disregarded the holiness of God by treating the Ark as a tourist attraction rather than a place to worship the living God. As a result, over 50,000 men were struck down by the Lord.
This event provides a vital object lesson regarding the holiness of God. God is not to be treated lightly or viewed as ordinary. He is holy and without any equal or rival. Throughout the Bible, we are warned about the dangers of treating God lightly. Exodus 34:14 states, “For you shall not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.” God demands complete loyalty, and he does not tolerate any attempt to make others equal to him. In Isaiah 40:25, we read, “’ To whom then will you liken Me that I would be his equal?’ Says the Holy One.”
In our understanding of God, we must recognize that he stands alone. To acknowledge the holiness of God is to realize that he is unparallel and unequal. We are to worship no other religion, no other gods, nor are we to lower God to treat him as familiar. To acknowledge his holiness is to approach God on his terms, as he has revealed in his word, rather than our terms based on misguided views. While He invites us to enter into a personal relationship, one grounded in love, we are to still recognize his holiness and worship him. Finally, we must never forget that God is holy, exalted, and worthy of our praise and respect. In an age where we trivialize God, we are to remember that he is exalted above all, and we should worship him with respect, honor, and humility.
Read 1 Sam. 5-6
In an age of religious pluralism, many people view the God of the Bible merely as another religious belief equal to other religions. For them, there are many ways to God, and all religions are the product of man’s spiritual explorations. Yet this is nothing new. Throughout history, people have developed their views of God and often regarded others as equal. Within the religious opinions of the Ancient Near East, many gods were overseeing the affairs of man. Each nation had its own god, as the gods were geographically confined. As a result, when nations went into battle, it was not just a battle of armies but a conflict between the gods. Therefore, when the Philistines defeated the Israelites and captured the Ark of God, they saw it as a spiritual victory. Placing the Ark in the temple devoted to Dagon, the god of the Philistines, demonstrated that Dagon was superior to Yahweh. Placing the Ark, the symbol of Israel’s God, in the temple of Dagon was a symbolic act to show that Yahweh was now a servant to Dagon.
Much to the surprise of the Philistines, in the morning, they discovered the Statue of Dagon lying prostrate before the Ark of the Lord. Perhaps this was an accident, so they again arranged Dagon on his pedestal. However, in the morning, Dagon was again in the dust, but this time both his hands and head were broken off. God made it clear that he was not subservient to Dagon, nor was Dagon even an equal. This was further manifested when the people in the region were afflicted with tumors. Fearing further judgment from the God of Israel, they sent the Ark to Gath. They, too, were afflicted with tumors. Every place the Ark went, the people were afflicted. Finally, recognizing the power of God over their gods, they sent the Ark back to Israel.
When the people of Israel saw the Ark, they rejoiced. However, instead of treating the Ark as the symbol of God’s presence, thus a place regarded as holy, they did the opposite. Instead of concealing the Ark, as required by the Law(Numbers 4:5-6), they put it on display and even looked inside. They disregarded the holiness of God by treating the Ark as a tourist attraction rather than a place to worship the living God. As a result, over 50,000 men were struck down by the Lord.
This event provides a vital object lesson regarding the holiness of God. God is not to be treated lightly or viewed as ordinary. He is holy and without any equal or rival. Throughout the Bible, we are warned about the dangers of treating God lightly. Exodus 34:14 states, “For you shall not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.” God demands complete loyalty, and he does not tolerate any attempt to make others equal to him. In Isaiah 40:25, we read, “’ To whom then will you liken Me that I would be his equal?’ Says the Holy One.”
In our understanding of God, we must recognize that he stands alone. To acknowledge the holiness of God is to realize that he is unparallel and unequal. We are to worship no other religion, no other gods, nor are we to lower God to treat him as familiar. To acknowledge his holiness is to approach God on his terms, as he has revealed in his word, rather than our terms based on misguided views. While He invites us to enter into a personal relationship, one grounded in love, we are to still recognize his holiness and worship him. Finally, we must never forget that God is holy, exalted, and worthy of our praise and respect. In an age where we trivialize God, we are to remember that he is exalted above all, and we should worship him with respect, honor, and humility.
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