Reflections on Hebrews 11:13
In Strasbourg, France, a thief stole cognac, cookies, chocolates and caramels from his ex-employer, but couldn't wait to enjoy his loot. Police followed a trail of caramel wrappers to his hideout and arrested the litterbug. -Philadelphia Inquirer
Have you ever said, "I can't wait until …"? Maybe it is your birthday or Christmas. Maybe it is the day you can drive or go on a date. Whatever it is, you think you can't wait.
Joseph was 17 years old when God revealed in dreams that he would become a ruler to whom even his brothers would bow down (Gen. 37:1 ff.). There were probably times he thought he couldn't wait until his brothers bowed down to him, but he had to wait. His brothers sold him into slavery in Egypt, and then he was sent to prison where he stayed until he was 30 years old. How long would that have been? Yes, 13 years. Then Joseph became governor of Egypt, and another eight years passed before his brothers came to Egypt to buy grain and bowed down to him. How long did he wait for God's promise? Yes, 21 years!
David was not yet old enough to be a soldier when Samuel anointed him as God's choice to be the next king. That means he was less than 20 years old when God promised to make him king (see Num. 1:3; 26:2). There were probably times he thought he couldn't wait until he was king, but it didn't happen soon. After spending several years as an outcast running away from King Saul, he finally became king when he was 30 years old. How long did David have to wait to receive God's promise? Yes, he waited more than 10 years.
Why were Joseph and David able to wait patiently for what God promised? It was because they had absolute faith in God. Faith enabled them to wait patiently for God's promise.
"By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God…. These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city" (Hebrews 11: 8-10, 13-16, ESV).
Do you know how old Abraham was when God promised him the land he had gone to see? Look in Genesis 12:4-7. (He was 75 years old.) How old was Abraham when he died? Look in Genesis 25:7-8. (He was 175 years old when he died.) So, how long did Abraham wait for God's promise? He waited for 100 years and still had not received the land when he died. God gave him something better than he could have ever had on this present earth. He gave him a heavenly country and a city whose designer and builder was God.
God has also made many great promises to us. Peter says that "according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells" (2 Peter 3:13, ESV). Satan does not want us to wait patiently for God's promises. He tries to destroy our faith and tempts us to satisfy our desires with temporary pleasures in this world. "For all that is in the world-the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life-is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever" (1 John 2:16-17, ESV). He wants us to replace heavenly treasures with treasures on this earth. What he does not tell us is that those treasures rust, become moth-eaten, or get stolen. He wants us to replace the joys of marriage, which we have to wait for, with the cheap thrills of pornography which inevitably robs the honeymoon of much of its thrill. He wants you to replace the joys of eternity with the pleasures of sin that last for only a short season. Then, those sinful pleasures rob you of eternal joy. Don't let Satan rob you!
Showing posts with label faith. Show all posts
Showing posts with label faith. Show all posts
Monday, January 6, 2014
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Seeking Strength
Reflections on 1 Sam. 28:15-25
Perhaps you have watched your favorite basketball team or football team being trounced by their opponent. Your team seems to have no energy, no strength. Then you notice their body language. The problem is not just that they are physically exhausted, but they are mentally exhausted as well. They are in despair in their mind and have ceased to believe in themselves. At that moment, something happens that changes everything. Someone steals the ball and breaks away for a dunk at the other end of the court, or someone recovers a fumble. Suddenly body language changes. Heads are lifted, shoulders squared, and steps quickened. What happened? Were their bodies strengthened with a healthy meal? No. Their minds were nourished with hope.
FOR SOUL. When Saul went to the witch in En-dor, he was looking for hope in his soul. He was in “great distress” because God had turned away from him and answered him no more. When Samuel appeared, perhaps to the witch’s surprise, Saul asked Samuel to tell him what to do. In reply, Samuel asked rhetorically why he was seeking advice from one he had made an enemy. Then he repeated the last words he had spoken to Saul: “The Lord has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor” (compare 1 Sam. 28:17 with 1 Sam. 15:28). Finally, he told Saul that he and his sons would die the next day, and the Israelite army would be defeated. Saul found no strength for his soul. Whatever spiritual strength Saul may have had left was then exhausted, and Saul collapsed on the ground.
FOR BODY. Perhaps due to his spiritual distress, and perhaps due to the intense preparations for battle, Saul had not eaten anything all day. He needed physical strength too. Although the woman could not provide him with any spiritual strength, she did provide physical strength with food she prepared and set before him. After eating, he rose and went his way. We read no more of Saul until he is mortally wounded on the battlefield the next day. The last meal Saul ate was probably from the hand of the witch of En-dor.
Perhaps you have watched your favorite basketball team or football team being trounced by their opponent. Your team seems to have no energy, no strength. Then you notice their body language. The problem is not just that they are physically exhausted, but they are mentally exhausted as well. They are in despair in their mind and have ceased to believe in themselves. At that moment, something happens that changes everything. Someone steals the ball and breaks away for a dunk at the other end of the court, or someone recovers a fumble. Suddenly body language changes. Heads are lifted, shoulders squared, and steps quickened. What happened? Were their bodies strengthened with a healthy meal? No. Their minds were nourished with hope.
FOR SOUL. When Saul went to the witch in En-dor, he was looking for hope in his soul. He was in “great distress” because God had turned away from him and answered him no more. When Samuel appeared, perhaps to the witch’s surprise, Saul asked Samuel to tell him what to do. In reply, Samuel asked rhetorically why he was seeking advice from one he had made an enemy. Then he repeated the last words he had spoken to Saul: “The Lord has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor” (compare 1 Sam. 28:17 with 1 Sam. 15:28). Finally, he told Saul that he and his sons would die the next day, and the Israelite army would be defeated. Saul found no strength for his soul. Whatever spiritual strength Saul may have had left was then exhausted, and Saul collapsed on the ground.
FOR BODY. Perhaps due to his spiritual distress, and perhaps due to the intense preparations for battle, Saul had not eaten anything all day. He needed physical strength too. Although the woman could not provide him with any spiritual strength, she did provide physical strength with food she prepared and set before him. After eating, he rose and went his way. We read no more of Saul until he is mortally wounded on the battlefield the next day. The last meal Saul ate was probably from the hand of the witch of En-dor.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Faith
In A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Darnay refused to believe that Carton could exchange places with him. He was sure that Carton would merely add his name to the list of those to be executed. Consequently, in order to make his planned exchange succeed, Carton had to drug the reluctant Darnay.
Like Carton, Jesus came to exchange places with us. The free and sinless came to exchange places with the imprisoned and condemned. However, unlike Carton, Jesus requires that we put our trust in him. He requires that we believe that he is the one the Father sent to set us free and that he is capable of doing so. Jesus said it this way,
If we don't believe, he will not force us to exchange places with him. If we would scoff at his naivety or cower silently in the back of our cell, he does not impose himself on us. He wants us to believe with enough confidence to call upon him, to confess him as savior.
Like Carton, Jesus came to exchange places with us. The free and sinless came to exchange places with the imprisoned and condemned. However, unlike Carton, Jesus requires that we put our trust in him. He requires that we believe that he is the one the Father sent to set us free and that he is capable of doing so. Jesus said it this way,
"I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins."
-- John 8:24
If we don't believe, he will not force us to exchange places with him. If we would scoff at his naivety or cower silently in the back of our cell, he does not impose himself on us. He wants us to believe with enough confidence to call upon him, to confess him as savior.
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
-- Romans 10:10
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Sticks and Stones
Reflections on 2 Samuel 16:5-1
Use the frame on the left to read these Scriptures.
The old saying, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me," is not entirely true. Although words do not damage the physical body, they do cause emotional pain. Consequently, self-control and faith are required to keep from retaliating when attacked verbally. David exemplified that self-control and faith when Shimei cursed him as he fled Jerusalem.
INSULTS. Shimei yelled at David like one would chase away a troublesome dog, "Get out, get out!" Then he called David a "man of blood" equating him with a common murderer for the way he had treated Saul's family (a false accusation, by the way). He also called him a "scoundrel," which means something like "worthless" or even "pernicious" (later, Belial would become a name for Satan). When David didn't respond, Shimei threw stones at him as if David was a fleeing dog and threw dust in the air. Shimei felt justified in his verbal and physical insults because he saw what was happening as the Lord repaying David for his evil deeds.
SELF-CONTROL. In response, Abishai insulted Shimei calling him a "dead dog" when he requested permission to kill Shimei. David refused to retaliate. He did not have the vengeful disposition of his nephews. Perhaps surprisingly, David recognized that Shimei's curses were perhaps part of God's discipline, not for his treatment of Saul's family but for his sin with Bathsheba which was the cause of his family problems and with Absalom. He would not himself punish Shimei if this all was the Lord's doing.
TRUST. Instead of retaliating, David chose to trust God. He thought that perhaps God, seeing the evil accusations that he endured patiently, would repay him with good. David entrusted himself to the Lord, who judges justly. God did repay him with good, and brought him back to Jerusalem. When he returned, Shimei met David in humble submission, like a dog with his tail between his legs.
David was patient and self-controlled partly because he knew his afflictions were the Lord's discipline and, more importantly, because he trusted the Lord to do what was right. His promised descendant, Jesus, who was without sin, also endured affliction patiently leaving us an example that we should follow.
Use the frame on the left to read these Scriptures.
The old saying, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me," is not entirely true. Although words do not damage the physical body, they do cause emotional pain. Consequently, self-control and faith are required to keep from retaliating when attacked verbally. David exemplified that self-control and faith when Shimei cursed him as he fled Jerusalem.
INSULTS. Shimei yelled at David like one would chase away a troublesome dog, "Get out, get out!" Then he called David a "man of blood" equating him with a common murderer for the way he had treated Saul's family (a false accusation, by the way). He also called him a "scoundrel," which means something like "worthless" or even "pernicious" (later, Belial would become a name for Satan). When David didn't respond, Shimei threw stones at him as if David was a fleeing dog and threw dust in the air. Shimei felt justified in his verbal and physical insults because he saw what was happening as the Lord repaying David for his evil deeds.
SELF-CONTROL. In response, Abishai insulted Shimei calling him a "dead dog" when he requested permission to kill Shimei. David refused to retaliate. He did not have the vengeful disposition of his nephews. Perhaps surprisingly, David recognized that Shimei's curses were perhaps part of God's discipline, not for his treatment of Saul's family but for his sin with Bathsheba which was the cause of his family problems and with Absalom. He would not himself punish Shimei if this all was the Lord's doing.
TRUST. Instead of retaliating, David chose to trust God. He thought that perhaps God, seeing the evil accusations that he endured patiently, would repay him with good. David entrusted himself to the Lord, who judges justly. God did repay him with good, and brought him back to Jerusalem. When he returned, Shimei met David in humble submission, like a dog with his tail between his legs.
David was patient and self-controlled partly because he knew his afflictions were the Lord's discipline and, more importantly, because he trusted the Lord to do what was right. His promised descendant, Jesus, who was without sin, also endured affliction patiently leaving us an example that we should follow.
To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth." When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.
-- 1 Peter 2:21-23 (NIV)
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Hall of Fame
Reflections on 2 Samuel 23:8-12 and 21:15-22
Major League Baseball and the National Football League both have a Hall of Fame where the careers and feats of famous athletes are memorialized. The exploits of David's mightiest men are recounted in the summaries at the end of his life, but those exploits probably occurred during the wars with the Philistines before the fall of their principle city, Metheg Ammah (Gath), mentioned in 2 Samuel 8:1.
MIGHTY MEN. David's three mightiest men had broken through Philistine lines and brought water to David from Bethlehem. The first of these was Josheb-Basshebeth (or Jashobeam, 1 Chronicles 11:11), who killed 800 men in one encounter. The second of David's three mightiest men was Eleazar. When David's men retreated before the Philistines, he refused to flee and fought alone until his hand was "frozen" to his sword. When David's men returned, they found that he had already won the victory. The third of David's mightiest men was Shammah, who by himself defended a field of lintels against the raiding Philistines when the other Israelites had fled. Through these men who dared to stand when all others fled, God turned the tide of the battle and gave Israel the victory.
GRATEFUL TO THE LORD. Baal Perazim was near Adullam, where David had earlier hidden from Saul. Perhaps at this time, three of his soldiers demonstrated their devotion and bravery after David expressed his desire for a drink from the well at Bethlehem, which was occupied by Philistines. They undertook the dangerous mission, broke through the Philistine lines, and brought David water from the well at Bethlehem. David was so overwhelmed by their devotion and bravery that he could not drink it. Instead, he poured it out as an offering to the Lord (2 Samuel 23:13-17; 1 Chronicles 11:15-19).
Major League Baseball and the National Football League both have a Hall of Fame where the careers and feats of famous athletes are memorialized. The exploits of David's mightiest men are recounted in the summaries at the end of his life, but those exploits probably occurred during the wars with the Philistines before the fall of their principle city, Metheg Ammah (Gath), mentioned in 2 Samuel 8:1.
MIGHTY MEN. David's three mightiest men had broken through Philistine lines and brought water to David from Bethlehem. The first of these was Josheb-Basshebeth (or Jashobeam, 1 Chronicles 11:11), who killed 800 men in one encounter. The second of David's three mightiest men was Eleazar. When David's men retreated before the Philistines, he refused to flee and fought alone until his hand was "frozen" to his sword. When David's men returned, they found that he had already won the victory. The third of David's mightiest men was Shammah, who by himself defended a field of lintels against the raiding Philistines when the other Israelites had fled. Through these men who dared to stand when all others fled, God turned the tide of the battle and gave Israel the victory.
GRATEFUL TO THE LORD. Baal Perazim was near Adullam, where David had earlier hidden from Saul. Perhaps at this time, three of his soldiers demonstrated their devotion and bravery after David expressed his desire for a drink from the well at Bethlehem, which was occupied by Philistines. They undertook the dangerous mission, broke through the Philistine lines, and brought David water from the well at Bethlehem. David was so overwhelmed by their devotion and bravery that he could not drink it. Instead, he poured it out as an offering to the Lord (2 Samuel 23:13-17; 1 Chronicles 11:15-19).
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
A Compromising Situation
Reflections on 1 Sam. 27:1-12
We often blame David’s troubles on Saul, but if Saul was the only problem David had in Israel, he probably never would have felt compelled to flee Israel and seek refuge among the archenemies of Israel, the Philistines.
FRIENDS LIKE THESE. David’s own kinsmen drove him into exile by constantly feeding Saul’s suspicions. When David spared Saul’s life in the cave, he said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ‘Behold, David seeks your harm’? …. See, my father, see the corner of your robe in my hand. For by the fact that I cut off the corner of your robe and did not kill you, you may know and see that there is no wrong or treason in my hands” (1 Sam. 24:9-11 ESV). When David spared Saul’s life a second time, David again protested against those of his kinsmen who were slandering him to Saul, “Now therefore let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If it is the LORD who has stirred you up against me, may he accept an offering, but if it is men, may they be cursed before the LORD, for they have driven me out this day that I should have no share in the heritage of the LORD, saying, ‘Go, serve other gods’” (1 Sam. 26:19 ESV). With friends like these, David didn’t need any enemies. It is a sad day when God’s people drive out a brother by listening to and assisting those who falsely accuse that brother. Sadly, David felt that the only way he could escape Saul and his informers was to flee to Philistia.
DANGEROUS CONCESSIONS. Although we are not told, David apparently fled to Achish, king of Gath, without inquiring of Abiathar the priest or seeking the advice of Gad the prophet as he had done on previous occasions. By seeking refuge in Philistia, David put himself, his family, and his men in a compromising situation.
We often blame David’s troubles on Saul, but if Saul was the only problem David had in Israel, he probably never would have felt compelled to flee Israel and seek refuge among the archenemies of Israel, the Philistines.
FRIENDS LIKE THESE. David’s own kinsmen drove him into exile by constantly feeding Saul’s suspicions. When David spared Saul’s life in the cave, he said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ‘Behold, David seeks your harm’? …. See, my father, see the corner of your robe in my hand. For by the fact that I cut off the corner of your robe and did not kill you, you may know and see that there is no wrong or treason in my hands” (1 Sam. 24:9-11 ESV). When David spared Saul’s life a second time, David again protested against those of his kinsmen who were slandering him to Saul, “Now therefore let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If it is the LORD who has stirred you up against me, may he accept an offering, but if it is men, may they be cursed before the LORD, for they have driven me out this day that I should have no share in the heritage of the LORD, saying, ‘Go, serve other gods’” (1 Sam. 26:19 ESV). With friends like these, David didn’t need any enemies. It is a sad day when God’s people drive out a brother by listening to and assisting those who falsely accuse that brother. Sadly, David felt that the only way he could escape Saul and his informers was to flee to Philistia.
DANGEROUS CONCESSIONS. Although we are not told, David apparently fled to Achish, king of Gath, without inquiring of Abiathar the priest or seeking the advice of Gad the prophet as he had done on previous occasions. By seeking refuge in Philistia, David put himself, his family, and his men in a compromising situation.
- David, his family, and his men left Israel and those who worshiped God.
- David, his men, and their families lived among people who worshiped idols and who would have a corrupting influence.
- David had to depend on an enemy of Israel for protection and pretend loyalty to them. David lived a lie.
- David had to pay tribute to an enemy of Israel.
- David’s kinsmen ceased to give intelligence to Saul, so Saul abandoned his pursuit of David.
- David asked for and received a city, Ziklag, for himself, his soldiers, and their families. Although Ziklag had been in the hands of the Philistines, God had assigned the town first to Judah (Josh. 15:31), and later to Simeon (Josh. 19:5). The move to Ziklag helped neutralize the influence of Philistine culture and enabled them to continue their devotion to God. From this time on, Ziklag remained under the control of Israel.
- David and his men secured the southern border of Judah. He did this without raising Achish’s suspicions by telling him that he had attacked regions belonging to Judah when he really attacked the enemies of Judah who often wandered through those regions.
- David and his men made progress in blotting out the memory of the Amalekites as God intended (Deut. 25:17-19). God had rejected Saul as king because he had not completely destroyed them as he commanded (1 Sam. 15:1-3, 22-23).
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Basic Training
Reflections on 1 Sam. 23:1-13
David had been a military leader in Saul’s army, and now he was the leader of a band of men who had been in distress or in debt (1 Sam. 22:2). This band now had officers, seasoned soldiers from the tribes of Gad, Benjamin, and Judah (1 Chron. 12:8-18). When David heard that the Philistines were harassing the people of Keilah, David began training his men to become the nucleus of the army that God would use to free the Israelites from their enemies.
DAVID’S TRUST. David’s training was not merely in the use of weapons or in winning strategies. He also trained his men to follow the will of God whether it was to trust his command to attack a formidable enemy or to withdraw from a seemingly safe position. On this occasion, David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I go and attack these Philistines?” We don’t know how David inquired of God, but perhaps he asked Gad, the seer who had recently advised him to return to Judah from Moab (1 Sam. 22:5). God answered, “Go and attack the Philistines and save Keilah.” David’s men were terrified. They said, “Behold, we are afraid here in Judah; how much more then if we go to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?” When David heard this, he inquired of the Lord again, and God assured him of victory. David persuaded his men to trust God despite their fears, and God gave them victory. Instead of hiding in the wilderness, they now could live in the comfort and safety of a city.
SAUL’S WISHFUL THINKING. When Saul learned that David was residing more or less permanently in a walled city, he was ecstatic. He declared confidently, “God has given him into my hand.” Why was he so confident? It was because it appeared to him that God was helping him because David had “shut himself in by entering a town that has gates and bars.” Despite his own disobedience to God’s commands, despite his massacre of priests, Saul still saw God “speaking to him” in the circumstances of life and giving him hope. Instead of listening to the very words of God, Saul gave more attention to a message he erroneously imagined to be from God. So, Saul prepared to attack David in Keilah.
DAVID’S OBEDIENCE. When David heard that Saul was preparing to attack him in Keilah, he again inquired of the Lord. Abiathar, a priest who had escaped Saul’s wrath in Nob, had joined David in Keilah, and David asked him to bring the ephod, which contained the Urim and Thummim, devices by which priests could determine the will of God (Lev. 8:8; Num. 27:21). God revealed to David that Saul would indeed attack Keilah, and that the men of Keilah would surrender David to Saul. So David again taught his men an important lesson. Even when God had recently given them victory, and even though they were now enjoying the comforts of city life, they were to follow God’s leading and return to hiding in the wilderness. They might never understand why God had them save a town only to abandon it, but they would learn that doing God’s will would assure them of God’s favor and blessing.
David had been a military leader in Saul’s army, and now he was the leader of a band of men who had been in distress or in debt (1 Sam. 22:2). This band now had officers, seasoned soldiers from the tribes of Gad, Benjamin, and Judah (1 Chron. 12:8-18). When David heard that the Philistines were harassing the people of Keilah, David began training his men to become the nucleus of the army that God would use to free the Israelites from their enemies.
DAVID’S TRUST. David’s training was not merely in the use of weapons or in winning strategies. He also trained his men to follow the will of God whether it was to trust his command to attack a formidable enemy or to withdraw from a seemingly safe position. On this occasion, David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I go and attack these Philistines?” We don’t know how David inquired of God, but perhaps he asked Gad, the seer who had recently advised him to return to Judah from Moab (1 Sam. 22:5). God answered, “Go and attack the Philistines and save Keilah.” David’s men were terrified. They said, “Behold, we are afraid here in Judah; how much more then if we go to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?” When David heard this, he inquired of the Lord again, and God assured him of victory. David persuaded his men to trust God despite their fears, and God gave them victory. Instead of hiding in the wilderness, they now could live in the comfort and safety of a city.
SAUL’S WISHFUL THINKING. When Saul learned that David was residing more or less permanently in a walled city, he was ecstatic. He declared confidently, “God has given him into my hand.” Why was he so confident? It was because it appeared to him that God was helping him because David had “shut himself in by entering a town that has gates and bars.” Despite his own disobedience to God’s commands, despite his massacre of priests, Saul still saw God “speaking to him” in the circumstances of life and giving him hope. Instead of listening to the very words of God, Saul gave more attention to a message he erroneously imagined to be from God. So, Saul prepared to attack David in Keilah.
DAVID’S OBEDIENCE. When David heard that Saul was preparing to attack him in Keilah, he again inquired of the Lord. Abiathar, a priest who had escaped Saul’s wrath in Nob, had joined David in Keilah, and David asked him to bring the ephod, which contained the Urim and Thummim, devices by which priests could determine the will of God (Lev. 8:8; Num. 27:21). God revealed to David that Saul would indeed attack Keilah, and that the men of Keilah would surrender David to Saul. So David again taught his men an important lesson. Even when God had recently given them victory, and even though they were now enjoying the comforts of city life, they were to follow God’s leading and return to hiding in the wilderness. They might never understand why God had them save a town only to abandon it, but they would learn that doing God’s will would assure them of God’s favor and blessing.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Trash Talk
Reflections on 1 Sam. 17:41-54
On Sunday, in the final seconds of the first game of the 1997 NBA Finals, Karl “The Mailman” Malone was shooting free throws at the line with the game tied. Scotty Pippin taunted him, “The mailman don’t deliver on Sundays.” Of course, Pippin was trying to rattle Malone so he would miss. Malone did miss both free throws, and the Bulls won the game.
INSULT FOR INSULT. Similarly, the fight between David and Goliath began with psychological sparring. Goliath thought that Israel was insulting him by sending a mere youth to fight against him. He said (1 Sam. 17:43 ESV), “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?” Goliath’s reference to “sticks” may show that he saw the shepherd’s staff David carried but failed to see the sling (1 Sam. 17:40). Then after cursing David by his gods, he tried to intimidate David by promising to leave his flesh on the field of battle for the vultures and animals that feed on carrion. David's reply was, in part, similar: “I will strike you down and cut off your head. And I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth…” (1 Sam. 17:46 ESV).
DAVID’S FAITH. Although David’s words surely baited Goliath and were perhaps similar to the “trash talking” that occurs between athletes today, there was also a difference. Unlike Goliath who cursed David by his gods, David simply said that he came in the name of the LORD Almighty whom Goliath had defied. The battle then became not one between Goliath and David but between the gods of the Philistines and the God of the armies of Israel.
GOLIATH’S ARROGANCE. While Goliath tried to intimidate David, he himself approached the fight with overconfidence. He considered himself a seasoned warrior facing an inexperienced youth. He carried a sword, a spear, and a javelin, and he wore protective armor while his opponent was dressed in a shepherd's garment and carried a staff. Perhaps his confidence caused him to overlook the sling that David carried in his other hand. If so, pride led to his defeat. Prov. 16:18 says, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” Instead of mocking David, he would have done well to heed Ahab's advice to Ben-Hadad: “Let not him who straps on his armor boast himself as he who takes it off” (1 Kings 20:11 ESV).
GOD EXALTED. David's son Solomon later observed that “the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to those with knowledge, but time and chance happen to them all” (Ecc. 9:11). Solomon was right in that David's victory over Goliath was not due to strength, wisdom, or ingenuity of any kind. On the other hand, because Solomon limited himself to what he could observe under the sun, he attributed the victory to “time and chance” rather than God as David did. “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6 ESV). Isaiah says, “The haughty looks of man shall be brought low, and the lofty pride of men shall be humbled, and the Lord alone will be exalted in that day” (Isa. 2:11 ESV).
IDOLS DETHRONED. David did not allow Goliath to intimidate him. He had faith that God would exalt His name so that “all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.” Just as God had thrown down and decapitated the idol of Dagon in the presence of the Ark of the Covenant years earlier, so God threw Goliath face down and decapitated him in the presence of one coming in the name of the Lord (Youngblood, 1992, pp. 701-02).
On Sunday, in the final seconds of the first game of the 1997 NBA Finals, Karl “The Mailman” Malone was shooting free throws at the line with the game tied. Scotty Pippin taunted him, “The mailman don’t deliver on Sundays.” Of course, Pippin was trying to rattle Malone so he would miss. Malone did miss both free throws, and the Bulls won the game.
INSULT FOR INSULT. Similarly, the fight between David and Goliath began with psychological sparring. Goliath thought that Israel was insulting him by sending a mere youth to fight against him. He said (1 Sam. 17:43 ESV), “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?” Goliath’s reference to “sticks” may show that he saw the shepherd’s staff David carried but failed to see the sling (1 Sam. 17:40). Then after cursing David by his gods, he tried to intimidate David by promising to leave his flesh on the field of battle for the vultures and animals that feed on carrion. David's reply was, in part, similar: “I will strike you down and cut off your head. And I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth…” (1 Sam. 17:46 ESV).
DAVID’S FAITH. Although David’s words surely baited Goliath and were perhaps similar to the “trash talking” that occurs between athletes today, there was also a difference. Unlike Goliath who cursed David by his gods, David simply said that he came in the name of the LORD Almighty whom Goliath had defied. The battle then became not one between Goliath and David but between the gods of the Philistines and the God of the armies of Israel.
GOLIATH’S ARROGANCE. While Goliath tried to intimidate David, he himself approached the fight with overconfidence. He considered himself a seasoned warrior facing an inexperienced youth. He carried a sword, a spear, and a javelin, and he wore protective armor while his opponent was dressed in a shepherd's garment and carried a staff. Perhaps his confidence caused him to overlook the sling that David carried in his other hand. If so, pride led to his defeat. Prov. 16:18 says, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” Instead of mocking David, he would have done well to heed Ahab's advice to Ben-Hadad: “Let not him who straps on his armor boast himself as he who takes it off” (1 Kings 20:11 ESV).
GOD EXALTED. David's son Solomon later observed that “the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to those with knowledge, but time and chance happen to them all” (Ecc. 9:11). Solomon was right in that David's victory over Goliath was not due to strength, wisdom, or ingenuity of any kind. On the other hand, because Solomon limited himself to what he could observe under the sun, he attributed the victory to “time and chance” rather than God as David did. “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6 ESV). Isaiah says, “The haughty looks of man shall be brought low, and the lofty pride of men shall be humbled, and the Lord alone will be exalted in that day” (Isa. 2:11 ESV).
IDOLS DETHRONED. David did not allow Goliath to intimidate him. He had faith that God would exalt His name so that “all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.” Just as God had thrown down and decapitated the idol of Dagon in the presence of the Ark of the Covenant years earlier, so God threw Goliath face down and decapitated him in the presence of one coming in the name of the Lord (Youngblood, 1992, pp. 701-02).
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
The Emperor’s Clothes
Reflections on 1 Sam. 17:32-40
Mark Twain once said, “Clothes make the man.” Certainly, a man dressed in a three-piece suit will act differently than one dressed like a clown. On the other hand, dressing a drunken bum in a three-piece suit does not make him a businessman any more than a lion’s body made the lion a courageous beast in The Wizard of Oz.
ARMOR WITHOUT BRAVERY. Saul's royal armor did not give him a kingly heart. David could see, as everyone could, that he was as terrified of Goliath as any of his soldiers. But David wisely did not mention Saul's fear when he spoke to him saying, “Let no man’s heart fail because of him. Your servant will go and fight with this Philistine” (1 Sam. 17:32 ESV).
BRAVERY WITHOUT ARMOR. Although impressed with David’s bravery, Saul obviously thought David was too young. Saul reminded David that he was merely a youth (probably younger than 20 years; see Num. 1:3; 26:2) and that he was not experienced in the ways of war. Ignoring the statement about his youth, David argued that as a shepherd he was experienced in battle having fought with vicious lions and bears while protecting his father's flocks. Still, Saul appeared to be unconvinced. When Saul said nothing in response to his exploits against the wild beasts, David delivered the final thrust of his argument: God had delivered him from the mouths of the lion and the bear, and He would deliver him from Goliath, too.
ARMOR OFFERED. Saul could not argue with David without appearing impious, but he still thought that David was poorly armed for the battle. In his own heart he still relied more on the “arm of flesh” than on the “arm of the Lord,” so he clothed David in his own armor. After doing so, Saul demonstrated how much he had become a king like the kings of the nations. All those kings relied on superior armor and weapons. Likewise, Saul naively thought that armor and weapons would make a victorious soldier, but he was wrong. God did not want a person who relied on them to be the king.
ARMOR REJECTED. When David rejected Saul’s armor, he was not naïve. He simply knew that the armor and sword did not suit his skills or experience. The armor would limit his ability to use the weapon God had trained him to use, the shepherd’s sling. He undoubtedly knew that in skilled hands the sling could be an effective weapon (see Judges 20:16) even if it was outdated and unconventional. But more importantly, David was not going to be a king who relied on the “arm of flesh” or on armor, weapons, numbers, and physical strength. By rejecting Saul’s armor, he rejected the kind of king Saul had become (Bergen, 1996, p. 194). Unlike Saul, he would rely on the God in whom he had placed his faith. He understood that if God fought for Israel, Israel had no need to become like the nations. Accordingly, he removed Saul's armor, chose five stones for his sling, and went out to meet the blasphemous giant as he carried his shepherd's staff and the invisible shield of faith.
Mark Twain once said, “Clothes make the man.” Certainly, a man dressed in a three-piece suit will act differently than one dressed like a clown. On the other hand, dressing a drunken bum in a three-piece suit does not make him a businessman any more than a lion’s body made the lion a courageous beast in The Wizard of Oz.
ARMOR WITHOUT BRAVERY. Saul's royal armor did not give him a kingly heart. David could see, as everyone could, that he was as terrified of Goliath as any of his soldiers. But David wisely did not mention Saul's fear when he spoke to him saying, “Let no man’s heart fail because of him. Your servant will go and fight with this Philistine” (1 Sam. 17:32 ESV).
BRAVERY WITHOUT ARMOR. Although impressed with David’s bravery, Saul obviously thought David was too young. Saul reminded David that he was merely a youth (probably younger than 20 years; see Num. 1:3; 26:2) and that he was not experienced in the ways of war. Ignoring the statement about his youth, David argued that as a shepherd he was experienced in battle having fought with vicious lions and bears while protecting his father's flocks. Still, Saul appeared to be unconvinced. When Saul said nothing in response to his exploits against the wild beasts, David delivered the final thrust of his argument: God had delivered him from the mouths of the lion and the bear, and He would deliver him from Goliath, too.
ARMOR OFFERED. Saul could not argue with David without appearing impious, but he still thought that David was poorly armed for the battle. In his own heart he still relied more on the “arm of flesh” than on the “arm of the Lord,” so he clothed David in his own armor. After doing so, Saul demonstrated how much he had become a king like the kings of the nations. All those kings relied on superior armor and weapons. Likewise, Saul naively thought that armor and weapons would make a victorious soldier, but he was wrong. God did not want a person who relied on them to be the king.
ARMOR REJECTED. When David rejected Saul’s armor, he was not naïve. He simply knew that the armor and sword did not suit his skills or experience. The armor would limit his ability to use the weapon God had trained him to use, the shepherd’s sling. He undoubtedly knew that in skilled hands the sling could be an effective weapon (see Judges 20:16) even if it was outdated and unconventional. But more importantly, David was not going to be a king who relied on the “arm of flesh” or on armor, weapons, numbers, and physical strength. By rejecting Saul’s armor, he rejected the kind of king Saul had become (Bergen, 1996, p. 194). Unlike Saul, he would rely on the God in whom he had placed his faith. He understood that if God fought for Israel, Israel had no need to become like the nations. Accordingly, he removed Saul's armor, chose five stones for his sling, and went out to meet the blasphemous giant as he carried his shepherd's staff and the invisible shield of faith.
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