Ashdod Archives | God TV News

Ashdod is a city in Israel. It rests on the banks of the Mediterranean Sea, about 45 kilometers south of Tel Aviv. It is one of three international ports and a major industrial center. The artificial port is enclosed by breakwaters and is Israel’s largest port, accounting for over 60 percent of its imported goods.

The City of Ashdod has rich historical significance; both Old and New Testament mention the city. The Bible references Ashdod 13 times. Each moment revolves around the Power of God working in the lives of believers. Let’s go back in time a bit and see why Ashdod is so important to the spreading of Christianity.

Subscribe to the Israel Insider e-Newsletter!

The City of Ashdod in the Old Testament

The first mention of Ashdod is in the book of Joshua. After the Israelites crossed into the Promised Land, the area was divided up. Ashdod was allocated to the tribe of Judah.

- - The Philistines and the Ark of the Covenant – This historical story is found in I Samuel 5 – 7:2. After the Israelites failed to defeat the Philistines at Ashdod, the Philistines captured the Ark of the Covenant. They took it and placed it into the temple of their god Dagon. When their priests entered the temple the following morning Dagon, a dragon idol, had fallen face first onto the floor before the Ark. This occurred the next morning only with more damage to Dagon. The Philistines became fearful and tried to move it to different places, only to find themselves inflicted with illness. They finally returned the Ark to the Jews along with an offering to relieve their suffering.

- - Rebuilding of the Temple – During the time of Nehemiah, when the wall of Jerusalem was being rebuilt, Ashdod was one of the groups that sided with Sanballat in anger over the process.

The City of Ashdod and New Testament History

The one main mention of The city of Ashdod in the New Testament occurs in the book of Acts. Within Luke’s writing, the name for the city is Azotus.

- - Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch – Philip was a disciple of Jesus. He was preaching the Gospel in the area of Samaria. God greatly used him in the region. One day an angel of the Lord appeared to Philip and basically told him to go for a walk. He was led to a road that linked Gaza and Jerusalem. Along the way, Philip came across an Ethiopian Eunuch who was traveling back to Ethiopia, having visited Jerusalem to worship.

The Spirit of God continued to lead Philip, telling him to approach the chariot the eunuch was in. The man was reading the book of Isaiah. Philip became intrigued. He asked the man if he knew what he was reading. The eunuch answered, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” Philip joins the man and begins to instruct him on the passage he was reading; it was about Jesus. Then Philip told him about Jesus, his death, the resurrection, and the events of Pentecost.

The eunuch became excited and asked to be baptized. They found a body of water, and Philip baptized the man. Then Philip was taken into heaven by the Spirit of God. He found himself in the town of Azotus, and he continued to preach the Gospel there and on into Caesarea.

Spreading the Gospel

Two stories. One of the power of God and his presence that surrounded the men and women of Israel. The one item they held most dear, The Ark of the Covenant, was taken. But we find that God had the last word. He showed to the Philistines that only God is to be worshiped. Even their god bowed before the Almighty Power of God.

The second involves a curious individual and God’s perfect timing. Can you imagine the impact that Ethiopian made when he returned home? The disciples were to preach from Jerusalem to Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Through Philips teaching in Samaria, a man was impacted and changed. He took the gift of God he learned to the ends of the earth.

Arise Zion: The Israel Tour

An opportunity is coming to walk the path Philip walked and met the Ethiopian Eunuch and to see the area the Philistines tried to hide the Ark of God. GOD TV has announced its 25^th anniversary Israel Tour in March 2020. This exciting 9-day adventure around the Holy Land is jammed pack with guest speakers, experts on Biblical history, and the land Jesus walked upon himself.

The Bible comes to life, and you will fall in love with Jesus like never before. Guides say that the hardest part of the visit is getting folks back on the plane to go home; they fall in love with the land and do not want to leave. You can book your reservation today and get ready for the experience that will change your life forever.

Written by Jeff Bray

Biblical History of Ashdod

The earliest mention of the city of Ashdod in the Bible occurs in Joshua 11. The Israelites had crossed into the Promise Land and Joshua was leading the battle against the Anakites. During this battle, the Anakites were complete destroyed and not one remained in Israelite territory. The only living Anakites were in the cities of Gaza, Gath and Ashdod. Thus, the city enters the scene as a refuge for enemies of the Israelites.

A few chapters later, the Lord speaks to Joshua and lays out the remaining lands that need to be taken as part of the Promise Land. Joshua 13:2-5 says, “’This is the land that remains: all the regions of the Philistines and Geshurites…all of it counted as Canaanite…in Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath and Ekron; the territory of the Avvites on the south; all the land of the Canaanites… the area of Byblos; and all Lebanon to the east’”. At this point, Joshua was advanced in years and the city of Ashdod was still yet to be conquered and taken by God’s chosen people. Ashdod was finally conquered and given to the tribe of Judah (Joshua 15).

The Ark in Ashdod

In reviewing the biblical history of the city, one of the most interesting stories is told in 1 Samuel 5:1-8. The story begins with the Philistines capturing the ark of God and bringing back to the city. The Philistines decided to place the ark of God in presence of their god and set it in Dagon’s Temple.

1 Samuel 5:3-5 tells the story, “When the people of Ashdod rose early the next day, there was Dagon, fallen on his face on the ground before the ark of the Lord! They took Dagon and put him back in his place. But the following morning when they rose, there was Dagon, fallen on his face on the ground before the ark of the Lord! His head and hands had been broken off and were lying on the threshold; only his body remained. That is why to this day neither the priests of Dagon nor any others who enter Dagon’s temple at Ashdod step on the threshold.” The power and presence of the God of Israel was too much for the Philistine god. Dagon literally fell in the presence of the ark of God. This story reveals the power of the presence of the God of Israel!

Anger Arises

Throughout history the city continued to be a hot bed of conflict. In Nehemiah 4, Ashdod is stirred to anger once again and joined the resistance that was in opposition of the rebuilding of the wall. Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the people of Ashdod began to organize an attack on Jerusalem. Nehemiah instructed the Jews to pray and God answered. Thus, the attack was thwarted and the wall was completed in 52 days (Nehemiah 6:15).

The plight of those that opposed the building of the wall is revealed in Nehemiah 6:16, “When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God.” God had proven Himself faithful and His plans and purposes had prevailed over the anger of Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the people of Ashdod.

Current Events

In May 2019, two hundred and twenty Ukrainian immigrants relocated to Israel. Ashdod was one of the cities that received immigrants despite the terrorism the city was experiencing. The International Fellowship of Christian Jews helped organize the immigration and also received instruction for staying protected under fire. Many of the Ukrainian’s chose to live in Ashdod, even in these stressful circumstances, in order to be closer to relatives.

Read more about the Ukrainian immigration to Israel here.

Written by Sarah Crockett

Ashdod

The City of Ashdod, Israel and the Spread of Christianity