And when the people of Ashdod arose early in the morning, there was Dagon, fallen on its face to the earth before the ark of the Lord. So they took Dagon and set it in its place again. 
- 1 Samuel 5:6 NKJV

Falling with your face to the earth was a common posture in worship which symbolized total submission. Also at that time, the winning nation in a war would carry the image of the defeated nation as a trophy of war to their temple. In a way, the god of the winning nation was holding the other god captive or in submission.

And when they arose early the next morning, there was Dagon, fallen on its face to the ground before the ark of the Lord. The head of Dagon and both the palms of its hands were broken off on the threshold; only Dagon’s torso was left of it. 
- 1 Samuel 5:4 NKJV

This second incident only further proves that the God of Israel is not a captive of Dagon. Because of the poor witness of God’s people, others now have a poor understanding of who God is. They foolishly believe that they won because their God is more powerful. But they are about to learn the truth about the God of Israel. The Philistines are about to find out that there is only one true God. God will teach them a lesson. God will reveal to them that He alone is God and there is no other. (Isaiah 45:5) The Philistines are about to find out that they did not defeat Israel because their god is more powerful, they are about to find out that the God of Israel can destroy them all by Himself.

Finally, they send the ark back and they know beyond the shadow of a doubt that Israel’s God is the true God. Nevertheless, Israel continues to hold a wrong theology. They continue to treat the ark as if it was an idol. God had revealed to the Philistines that He was the most powerful God in the world. Now God has to remind Israel that He gave them specific instructions on how to deal with Him. I believe that God had the ark away from people’s sight specifically to keep it from being treated as an idol. Now God judged His own people who should have known better.

God is the one true God and He gave His people instructions. We are not to just disregard God’s instructions. We are to follow them. When God says “Thou shalt not take My name in vain” we should keep that in mind. We are in danger of being careless with God, like the Israelites. Yes, He is our God. Yes, He is for us and against our enemies. But that does not mean we can be careless with our worship of God. He is also our judge, He is a holy God who deserves to be honored, feared, and obeyed. When God establishes something we should think twice before we think we can move it around. We may not understand why God established certain commandments, but once He does, we ought to follow them, especially when we are aware of His will.

For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?”
- Revelation 6:17 NKJV

“But who can endure the day of His coming?
And who can stand when He appears?
For He is like a refiner’s fire
And like launderers’ soap.
- Malachi 3:2 NKJV

God is here to bless and to save you. Are you afraid of Him? Do you prefer to keep God at a distance? Or are you willing to have Him close by and serve Him?